Sustainability is becoming a bigger and bigger part of the employment industry. Many sustainability jobs are new, but there are some that have been around for years. These sustainability jobs offer more than just a paycheck – they also give you an opportunity to make a difference in your community and around the world by protecting our environment. The sustainable job list below will show you what sustainability careers exist today, where they’re located in the United States, how much sustainability jobs pay, and whether or not these sustainability positions involve planet conservation.
If you are interested in Urban planner jobs, you can check the current vacancies on Jooble.
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Geothermal engineer
Do you have a passion for sustainability and the environment? Do you want to make an impact on sustainability, renewable energy, or planet conservation? One way is by becoming a geothermal engineer. Geothermal engineers provide clean sources of power that do not rely on fossil fuels like coal and oil. With this job there are many opportunities in careers such as drilling exploratory wells, estimating reservoir capacity, designing pumping systems, and installing equipment after construction has been completed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that most professionals who work with geothermal systems will likely see growth rates of over 20% through 2024 due to increased demand for sustainable energy.
Biologist
Biologists study living organisms and the environment to learn more about sustainability. They can work in fields such as environmental sustainability, endangered species conservation, or food sustainability. Biologists are also responsible for making sure that we have clean drinking water by tracking down pollution sources so that they can be fixed before it becomes too late.
A biologist can work for sustainability projects, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies. They could also decide to pursue a doctorate in biology and take on research positions at universities. Some biologists choose to teach sustainability courses at colleges while still others would rather be out exploring the world with their discoveries.
Green Construction Manager
The Green Building Council, a sustainability-focused NGO focuses on green construction and sustainability. Another option is to work for an engineering firm whose primary focus is sustainability or heading up sustainability projects at an architecture firm.
The job of the Construction Manager requires excellent management skills and understanding how each aspect of a project impacts another part of it in order to design with efficiency and safety while reducing cost overhead by using renewable sources such as solar, wind power, etc., recycling materials like steel, concrete, wood, etc., minimizing hazardous wastes that are generated during production (i.e., paints), water usage reduction measures such as low flush toilets which minimize waste from septic systems; energy conservation strategies like insulation techniques which help reduce heating costs and more.
Energy auditor
Energy auditors are sustainability experts who work to cut the energy costs of a company. Energy auditors will typically calculate an organization’s total annual energy usage, and then break down that number in terms of how much power is being used on each floor or area within the building. They’ll also help determine which areas need more insulation, windows, heating, and cooling equipment – all with an eye towards reducing consumption while still maintaining comfort levels for employees.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there were about 120000 jobs as environmental science/associate specialists and 113000 job openings from 2014 to 2024 (BLS). This position requires at least a bachelor’s degree plus certification by state law such as Certified Professional Environmental Auditor (CPEA) or Certified Energy Auditors (CEA).
Solar panel installer
Solar panel installer is a sustainability job. Solar panels generate electricity from the sun and do not produce emissions, which makes them sustainable sources of energy. The solar industry has expanded rapidly in recent years because it provides environmentally friendly power to homeowners while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Job duties for solar panel installers include educating customers about how photovoltaic systems work and installing rooftop arrays of high-efficiency crystalline or thin-film cells that convert sunlight into an electric current.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment opportunities will grow by 30% between 2016 and 2026 due to increasing installation rates as well as new technology innovations related to residential photovoltaic installations such as smart inverters, monitoring software, microgrids, grid integration, and battery storage.
Recycling collector
The recycling collector’s job is to collect recyclables from businesses, homes, and other public places. This can include sorting through trash dumps for cans or cardboard with materials that could be recycled in order to recover items of value such as aluminum and paper products like cereal boxes. The recycling collector may also extract metal from appliances discarded by residents who are switching out old devices for newer ones. It takes patience, skill at identifying objects made of different types of material, knowledge about how certain substances react to each other when mixed together (as some metals will corrode if they come into contact with certain chemicals), and an understanding of the process used for separating plastics so that their components can be reused in a variety of ways.
Wind turbine technician
In this sustainability job, you are responsible for repairing and maintaining wind turbines. This includes things like inspecting the blades to make sure there is no damage, inspecting the electrical system to make sure it is functioning properly, as well as replacing parts that are worn out.
Wind turbine technicians often find themselves in more rural areas because they need to be close enough to a wind farm for their work. If you want this sustainability job then you should know that your living arrangements may not be ideal so keep this in mind when considering applying for one of these jobs.
Water treatment plant operator
Water treatment plant operators work with equipment to monitor and maintain water quality levels in order to provide safe drinking water for all. This job is available worldwide, but the majority of these jobs are found in metropolitan areas that experience high population growth rates. Candidates usually need a two-year degree or an associate’s degree from an accredited vocational program. They must be able to read blueprints, operate machinery and solve math problems involving fractions and decimals. Water treatment plant operators must be able to work shifts and weekends, as well.
The water sector is one of the most important sustainability sectors because it’s so critical for our survival on this planet. There are many different types of sustainability jobs in this area including positions such as wastewater treatment operator, environmental engineer, or microbiologist.
Environmental scientist
An environmental scientist is a job that you can find in sustainability. Environmental scientists study the environment and how it affects living things, both human beings and animals.
- An environmental scientist gathers data on the effects of climate change or pollution on organisms
- They might study water quality or air toxicity to determine its impact on humans
- The work involves gathering information about ecosystems and their effect on people so these experts are vital for creating better policies
The average annual salary for an environmental scientist is $84,000 which means they rank as one of the top sustainability jobs (Glassdoor).
Renewable energy researcher
A renewable energy researcher is a sustainability job that can help the environment by finding new ways to harness clean, renewable power. As of 2014, Renewables accounted for about 13% of global electricity production and are expected to account for up to 50% by 2050.
This sustainability job often requires some technical knowledge in solar photovoltaics (PV), wind turbines, or hydroelectricity systems. Jobs available include working as an engineer, manager or salesperson focused on renewables technologies such as PV and micro-renewables like small scale wind turbines. Some renewable energy researchers also work with large industry partners like utilities helping them incorporate more renewables into their supply chain.
Agricultural and food scientists
Sustainability is about making decisions that will ensure the future of the planet. It includes a wide range of disciplines, from engineering to science and education. One way we can help in sustainability efforts is by working towards sustainability careers with agriculture or food sciences degrees.
Agricultural and food scientists work on broad issues like sustainable farming practices for growing crops, water resource management for optimum crop production, agricultural product development (including plant breeding), forest protection/management as well as other environmental considerations. Some organizations employ them to research livestock products including milk and eggs too! Agricultural and food scientists need a bachelor’s degree in this field along with sometimes advanced training at an accredited college or university; they also need experience either through internships or work experience.
Urban and regional planners
Urban and regional planners design the physical shape of communities, such as zoning ordinances that regulate how dense a community can become or which kinds of buildings are allowed. They also work to make sure sustainability goals are integrated into city plans, such as making all public transit cost-free in order to reduce air pollution caused by cars.
Sustainability jobs are becoming more prevalent as the world tries to figure out how we can live within our natural resources. Urban and regional planning is a sustainability job with many different duties depending on your desired focus area. Sometimes sustainability jobs require you to plan city layouts. This includes regulating zoning ordinances which regulate the density of communities, deciding what kind of building styles are allowed, implementing sustainability goals into city plans such as making public transit free so people stop driving cars so much- these all have an impact on sustainability because they reduce pollution caused by car emissions.
Hydrologists
Hydrologists are sustainability experts who study water resources. They provide information and data on how to manage, conserve and preserve the earth’s natural water systems. Hydrologists typically work for federal or state agencies, engineering firms, consulting companies, environmental organizations, or educational institutions. The current median annual salary of a hydrologist in America is $76,820 according to PayScale.
Conservation scientists and foresters
Conservation scientists and foresters are employed by conservation organizations such as the Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund or The Sierra Club. These professionals use their knowledge of sustainability to protect threatened habitats. Though these jobs offer a variety of opportunities around the world, they generally require backgrounds in natural sciences like biology, ecology, and forestry as well as experience with fieldwork. Salaries range from $31,000-60,000+.
Conservationists may work on teams that travel to locations threatened by development projects or deforestation for environmental impact assessments before moving forward with new plans. They may also be involved in monitoring wildlife populations—or planting trees at rehabilitation sites—to maintain healthy ecosystems and promote sustainability goals through careful land management practices.
Biochemists and biophysicists
A biochemist is a scientist who studies chemical substances and how living organisms interact with them. Biophysicists study the nature of light, electromagnetism, sound, or other waves in relation to their interaction with biological life.
Working conditions: varied depending on the type of work; many sustainability jobs are located in an office setting
Salary range: varies significantly by job title and location but ranges from $25k-$150k+ per year for entry-level positions (with liberal arts degrees)
Biochemist/biophysicist-related sustainability jobs include system analyst or sustainability consultant where you oversee sustainability efforts at businesses or government agencies so they can meet regulatory requirements. You may also find employment as a sustainability researcher which is an emerging sustainability profession.
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental lawyers work to protect the environment in a number of ways, from defending environmental laws and regulations before government agencies to representing clients in cases involving harm to the environment. Environmental lawyers also help companies work on sustainability initiatives, such as helping them comply with environmental laws and regulations. Environmental lawyers may also work with sustainability professionals to ensure that sustainability goals are met.
Chief Sustainability Officer
A sustainability officer, also known as a chief sustainability officer (CSO), is someone in an organization who manages and oversees sustainability programs. This person may be part of the leadership team or report to senior management. A CSO can work with various departments within an organization such as human resources, finance, research and development, production/operations, sustainability, marketing, and public relations to develop sustainable practices that will help the company become more environmentally conscious.
Environmental Economist
Environmental economists assess the sustainability of environmental and economic systems. They also work in the sustainability field, with organizations such as non-profits or government agencies. Environmental economics is a growing field with sustainability-focused job opportunities, and environmental economists can also work in other fields such as finance or engineering.
Green Entrepreneur
The sustainability and green movement are changing the way we work, live, and spend. In order to be an environmentally conscious citizen of this planet, you need to take action in your daily life. One small change leads to another until it all adds up to a sustainable lifestyle that benefits the earth as well as yourself. Your actions today can make tomorrow better for everyone.
Sustainable Interior Designer
Sustainable interior designers create sustainable and eco-friendly spaces in homes, offices, and commercial buildings. Sustainable design is about sustainability on a number of levels and is about the sustainability of resources by using materials that have a low environmental impact. Sustainable interior design also asks designers to create spaces with an emphasis on health and wellness.
Final verdict
Whether you want to be a geothermal engineer or an environmental lawyer, there are plenty of sustainability jobs out there for you. And as the demand for these positions continues to increase and more opportunities become available, it’s important that we start focusing on how sustainable employment can have a major impact on our lives by minimizing air pollution and global warming while simultaneously increasing job security. So what career do you see yourself in?
