Job Opportunities in Energy: Low-Energy, Low-Impact Buildings
By Sammie Trvalik, Earth Forward Group
October is Energy Awareness Month, promoting building optimization and management, energy resilience, and the use of advanced energy technologies to build a more sustainable future. This month, Earth Forward Group celebrates the rapidly accelerating growth of green energy jobs. Each week, we will be highlighting career opportunities in the energy sector for entry-level professionals, seasoned workers, and career-changers. Green job skills are in high demand. We will cover which valuable skills and certifications will help you land the job for each position.
Our built environment is a massive contributor to the climate crisis through its impacts on the atmosphere and broader ecosystems. In terms of energy, buildings consume about 40% of all electricity. This week, we are focusing on low-energy, low-impact building professionals. As climate change advances, buildings must withstand harsher weather conditions, and consumers will be further motivated to invest in energy use reduction strategies as the cost of energy increases. This field requires the coordinated effort of professionals from a number of disciplines, from electrical to HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, engineering, and more. This blog relates most closely to the architectural career path.
The following information was collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Architects (there are currently no statistics for green-building architects):
2021 median pay: $80,180 per year ($38.55 per hour)
Entry-level education: bachelor’s degree
Number of jobs, 2021: 125,500
Job outlook, 2021–2031: 3%
There are a number of construction design methods that reduce the energy and impact of a home. Including, but not limited to;
Net-zero buildings:
Net-zero buildings are designed to negate the amount of greenhouse gasses produced through the implementation of renewable energy sources, carbon capture and offset systems, and structural design choices.
Passive-house design:
The first passive-house was built in Darmstadt, Germany, and lays the foundation for passive-house construction worldwide. Undecided with Matt Farrell outlines the field’s principles in his Youtube Video, covering continuous insulation, thermal-bridge reduction, optimized orientation, high-efficiency windows, airtightness and ventilation.
Natural building:
Natural building is a method of construction that utilizes recycled or salvaged materials. Resources like clay or sand are sourced directly from local land, and construction is dependent mostly on human labor. Earth ships are a method of natural building popularized in the late 20th/early 21st century by architect Michael Reynolds and have quickly gained popularity.
Training programs:
- GPRO Fundamentals of Building Green: “students will learn how to see buildings differently and understand foundational strategies that make them efficient, healthy and resilient.” (Offered by EFG!)
- BPI Building Science Principles Certificate of Knowledge: Learn the role of high-performance buildings in efficiency, health, and resiliency. (Offered by EFG!)
- BPI Healthy Housing Principles Certificate of Knowledge: Students will learn how to incorporate health into their understanding of home performance. (Offered by EFG!)
- LEED Green Associate: Learn about green building strategies for healthy, efficient, carbon and cost-saving builds. (Offered by EFG!)
- Norwalk Community College (NCC): Building Efficiency and Sustainable Technology, Architectural Engineering Technology
- University of New Haven Sustainability Studies, B.S.
- Wentworth Institute of Technology Sustainability Programs
- Yale Master of Environmental Design Program
- Northeastern University Sustainable Building Systems
- Boston Architectural College Master of Design Studies in Sustainable Design
- Yestermorrow Design/Build School: Natural Building Certificate
- San Diego Sustainable Living Institute: Natural Building Certificate
- Rancho Mastatal (Mastatal, Costa Rica): Learn about natural building, permaculture, and homesteading in this apprenticeship program.
View USGBC’s online courses in green building and sustainable design, and Green Building Careers page.
Browse these sites to find green jobs and other impactful careers:
