When someone says ‘green jobs’, we usually think of solar installers, environmental engineers, and the like. But the green economy is much bigger than that. Here are a few green jobs you may not have thought of:

• Geoengineer: You would be involved in the large-scale manipulation of the Earth’s climate in order to counteract global warming.
• Garbage consultant: You could call yourself a waste engineer - but whatever the term, you’re helping companies and organizations rethink their production and disposal of waste.
• Pest control technician: Not all bug zappers use toxic chemicals - going ‘green’ is a great way to help the environment and distinguish yourself!
• Bicycle technician: What’s greener than pedal power? With the growth in bike owners comes a need for more bike technicians.
• Bio-Mimicry Engineer: Biomimetics describes the transfer of ideas from biology to technology - in other words, figuring out how nature does something, then using that to our advantage. A biomimicry engineer created Velcro, for example.
• Socially responsible investment adviser: Putting your money to work supporting green businesses can be complicated. That’s where a green-minded investment adviser comes in.
• Eco Tourism Director: Ecotourism is growing at three times the rate of traditional vacationing - and so is employment in this area.
• Garden Guru: More people are dipping their toe into the green gardening world, but they need help. That’s where garden gurus come in.

What about unusual green jobs that you know? Tell us!

The movement to a green economy is slow at times - but it has always been driven to some extent by technology. For example:

• Technology is at the heart of the hybrid and electric cars now on the market or in development
• Technology drives the new generation of ’smart’ electric meters and other energy conservation measures for consumers
• Technology underlies the development of solutions to global warming, from ways to ‘encase’ carbon dioxide to the creation of higher efficiency solar panels and wind generators

Technology also lowers costs for everyone over the long haul - witness the continual improvement in personal computers even as prices have dropped.

Most importantly, though, technology helps create jobs. How? First, technology can reduce operating costs, enabling companies to reinvest in new products and markets - thus creating more employment opportunities. Secondly, it fuels the development of new products and services, which by definition will increase jobs in sales, marketing, manufacturing, and a host of other sectors.

Finally, technology allows companies of varying sizes to stay competitive in a global market - thus furthering the creation of more green jobs right here in the U.S.!

Time for another roundup of green job news from Great Green Careers!:

• The wind industry continues to grow: A record 10,010 megawatts of new wind capacity was installed in the United States last year, accounting for 39 percent of new electrical generation, the American Wind Energy Association said in its annual report.
• GSA Invests $4 Billion in Green Recovery Act Construction Projects Nationwide: To transform federal buildings into higher performing, greener buildings, the agency announced that it awarded construction projects to more than 500 companies creating jobs in all 50 states, 2 territories, and the District of Columbia by investing $4 billion in Recovery Act funds.
• Suniva Plans New Solar Manufacturing Plant with Selection in Loan Guarantee Program: Suniva plans to start the construction of a new manufacturing plant in Saginaw County, Michigan. Building such a manufacturing plant could create approximately 500 direct jobs at Suniva, while creating an additional 2,000 indirect jobs for the Michigan economy according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
• 10 Ways to Turn Any MBA into a Sustainable MBA: Regardless of which kind of MBA or business degree program you choose to pursue, there are countless ways to bring sustainability into your program.
• Mitsubishi will  produce wind turbines in Arkansas: Company executives gathered with state and local officials in Fort Smith, Arkansas to mark Mitsubishi’s decision to build the plant, which will employ at least 400 people and help stem the tide of manufacturing jobs that have left the Fort Smith area.

Wind energy has proved over the past decade to be one of the fastest growing segments of the green power economy. In the past 2 years, almost 40% of the all new power generating capacity in Europe and the U.S. has been wind energy. One of the biggest challenges for the industry, however, is finding enough skilled workers to design, build, install, and maintain wind turbine farms.

Types of jobs:

As with any industry, the wind energy sector has a variety of jobs, ranging from manufacturing to sales and service. Here are a few:

• Turbine production (manufacturing)
• Gearbox and component parts (manufacturing)
• Wind farm development
• On-site construction
• Financier (of projects)
• Turbine technician
• Salesperson
• Legal - lobbyist

Training:

Most positions in the wind energy industry will require some training (although some, such as sales and marketing, use transferable skills from other sectors). A good place to start is by talking to your local community college, which may have relevant training and/or certificate programs. (A good list of programs can be found here). There are also numerous state and local programs, as well as training provided by non-profit organizations such as the American Wind Energy Association. To learn more, click here.

Advice for job hunting:

Before you start looking for a wind energy job, be sure to check out our job hunting guide. Also, read up on the wind energy industry - it’s important to understand as much as possible about where you can fit in. Finally, be persistent. The wind sector is popular now, so you’ll have some competition!