Sustainability and the Job Market
Oregon is a national leader in sustainable development policies and practices. This reality is transforming Oregon's current economy into one increasingly influenced by state-based industries that help schools, residences, and businesses operate more sustainably, both here and abroad. As a result, Oregon's current and future job market will benefit as environmentally conscious and well informed consumers demand goods and services from these green and sustainable industries.
Use the information below to find out about sustainable careers, related news, and opportunities within the state and beyond.
What are "Sustainable Jobs"?
Sustainable jobs provide rewarding work at a living wage while protecting and restoring the environment; promoting social equity and cross-cultural understanding; and fostering sustainable, localized economic activity.
The types of jobs being created run the gamut from those in high to low-tech fields; those requiring advanced degrees to jobs available right out of high school. The following list, borrowed in part from research by San Francisco State University professor Raquel Pinderhughes, represents an example of some sustainability-related jobs and fields:
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Energy and water retrofits to increase efficiency and conservation
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Installation, operation and maintenance jobs related to wind, solar, and geothermal energy production
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“Green” building design, construction, and consultation
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Whole home and building performance, including insulation, weatherization, etc.
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Hauling and reuse of construction materials and debris (C&D)
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Sustainable landscaping and storm water systems design
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Materials reuse, recycling and composting
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Production of such items as solar panels, bike cargo systems, green waste bins, non-toxic cleaning products, biodiesel, products from recycled materials, etc.
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Parks and open space expansion and maintenance
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Printing with non-toxic inks and dyes
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Public transit jobs related to driving, maintenance, and repair
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Sustainable forest management
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Sustainable and organic agriculture, fisheries and food systems
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Responsible investing
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Internal coordination for companies to establish and follow sustainable practices.
Oregon's Green Jobs
We hear lots about “green jobs”, but just what does that mean? It turns out that Oregon has an official definition:
A green job is one that provides a service or produces a product in any of the following categories:
1. Increasing energy efficiency
2. Producing renewable energy
3. Preventing, reducing, or mitigating environmental degradation
4. Cleaning up and restoring the natural environment
5. Providing education, consulting, policy promotion, accreditation, trading and offsets, or similar services supporting any of the other categories
A recent survey by the Oregon Employment Department found that, based on this definition, in 2008 there were over 51,400 green jobs in 226 different occupations. It also found that many green jobs are in blue collar occupations, on average green jobs tend toward slightly higher wages than jobs across the entire economy, that two-thirds of green jobs require no education beyond high school, and that about one-third of green jobs require some kind of special license / certificate. These details and many more survey findings can be found in “The Greening of Oregon’s Workforce: Jobs, Wages and Training” report, issued in June 2009. The Oregon Employment Dept. is now conducting a much more detailed study running from December 2009 to May 2011, which will add to our understanding of the green jobs sector.
It’s important to note that the above definition for green jobs is not identical to jobs that are done sustainably. EVERY job needs to be done with a goal of minimizing or eliminating negative impacts to sustainability. Forward thinking businesses in all sectors are seeking employees who not only meet the typical requirements of the job, but who also can demonstrate knowledge of sustainability concepts. That may be what is necessary to be competitive in their job market. On the other hand, not all jobs meeting the green job definition are being done sustainably. In some cases they even cause negative sustainability impacts while providing the service or product described in the green jobs definition.
HB 3300, passed in 2009, calls for the Oregon Workforce Investment Board to create a Green Jobs Growth Plan for Oregon. The plan is being created by the Oregon Green Jobs Council, and completion is expected by Fall 2010.
Oregon Employment Department, Green Jobs section:
http://www.qualityinfo.org/olmisj/OlmisZine?zineid=00006995
“The Greening of Oregon’s Workforce: Jobs, Wages and Training” report
Issued in June 2009 and available on the OED website: http://www.qualityinfo.org/pubs/green/greening.pdf
Oregon Green Jobs Council
http://www.worksourceoregon.org/index.php/state-workforce-board/270-green-jobs-council
HB 3300, passed in 2009 and calling for development of a Green Jobs Growth Plan
http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb3300.dir/hb3300.en.pdf
Career Resources
Green Career Resource Guide
http://www.cassio.com/free_e-resource_guides.htm
GreenBiz.com Job Listings
Idealist.org Job Listings
Sustainable Business.com - Green Dream Jobs
http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/
The Environmental Careers Organization
Green For All - Green Collar Job Info
Stop Dodo - Global Portal for Environmental Jobs and Resumes
http://www.stopdodo.com/index.asp
In the News
So you want a green career? (11/15/2009, Los Angeles Times) Although the recession has emptied shopping malls and filled jobless centers, the call has only gotten louder for renewable energy, environmentally gentle products and eco-friendly practices -- and for people to make all of that happen.
4.2 milliion new 'green' jobs predicted (10/1/2008, Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
Solar Jobs Rising in Oregon (7/22/2008, The Oregonian)
Sustainability Execs Moving up the Ladder
Greenbiz.com report on the advantages of adding a corporate sustainability officer.
Study: Real Green Jobs on the Rise
The Worldwatch Institute released a study Thursday showing that jobs in renewable energy are expanding worldwide, while jobs in coal and natural gas are disappearing.
Green-Collar Jobs: A path out of poverty?
The Sightline Institute reports on the potential for sustainable jobs to reduce society’s impact on the planet, while lifting people out of poverty.