There are many green job options for anyone committed to helping the environment, saving the planet, protecting animals, or promoting sustainability in some way. For students learning environmental science or related subjects, the future of green careers is bright.

In 2022 alone, the U.S. Energy Department estimates there were 3.2 million people employed in clean energy jobs, including wind, solar, electric vehicle production, and energy efficiency. Also, the growth rate in these fields was 3.9%, surpassing the overall U.S. job growth of 3.1%. Electric vehicles had the fastest job growth, a 27% increase.

Although there are many green job opportunities, you can break into the industry faster by narrowing down your career interests. Present yourself to potential employers with a clear focus while showcasing how your background and skills make you a desirable candidate.

Even early in your career, right after you graduate college, defining your goals and what your ideal job looks like can help you craft a targeted resume rather than a generic one that applies to any “green” job.

To get started, follow this guide to find the right green job type based on your skills and preferences. From there, you can create an impressive resume highlighting the unique value you can offer a green-minded organization.

Envision the Green Job You Want

Green jobs encompass many different types of work, but the common thread is they benefit the environment somehow. Create a living document of your career preferences to help you develop a more targeted job search. We say “living document” because your preferences may change and evolve, and you can pivot as needed.

Start your green career exploration by thinking through these categories:

  • Employer size: Green workers are a hot commodity across many sectors and organizations of many sizes. Do you want your first stint after college to be with a small startup or a large corporation?
  • Employer type: You could work for an organization specifically focused on environmental causes or an employer in a different sector, reducing its own environmental footprint. Many employers are bringing on “green” employees to help them meet sustainability goals, opening up various job options.
  • Environmental causes: Green jobs encompass several industries, from clean energy to electric vehicles to agriculture. Figuring out which areas of sustainability you’re passionate about can narrow down the opportunities you might seek. For example, if clean water is a cause you find compelling, you might focus on jobs that monitor water quality or water conservation work.
  • Job duties and activities: Think about the type of work you want to do. After school, some of the typical job duties include performing field assessments, site inspections, data analysis, collaborating with science teams, or writing reports.
  • Job title: Especially with emerging green careers, job titles may vary or not even be created yet. However, you can research some established roles that are well-suited for entry-level job seekers. Some titles to explore may include environmental technician, environmental planner, environmental engineer, air quality consultant, field technician, water engineer, field research assistant, and conservation scientist.
  • Work setting: Choosing where you want to work is another way to narrow down your job search. Some green jobs might allow for hybrid or work-from-home schedules. Others will require you to report to an office location, and some may require travel and doing fieldwork.

Brainstorm Your Top Experiences

Once you’re done envisioning your target green job, start to jot down your experiences and achievements. This exercise is key for identifying what sets you apart from other candidates and what would make you a valuable asset to an organization. Grab a sheet of paper or open a blank document and brainstorm the following aspects of your education and background:

  • Academics and education (college GPA, class rank, honors, or awards)
  • Athletics
  • Community service
  • Foreign language proficiency
  • Hobbies and interests
  • Internships
  • Personal accomplishments
  • School clubs and societies
  • Technical or computer skills
  • Travel or study abroad experience
  • Volunteer experience
  • Work experience

Develop Your Resume for Green Jobs

You should have completed two exercises: your green job goals and a list of your top experiences. What you discover about yourself with these two lists will form the basis of your green jobs resume.

Naturally, it’s best not to include any irrelevant details. But look for areas of alignment between what you want from your ideal green job and the experiences and skills you have developed. Now you’re ready to begin crafting your resume.

Here’s what to include in your resume:

  • Name and contact information: Use a professional-sounding email address.
  • Profile summary: This gives the hiring manager quick highlights of your qualifications and accomplishments.
  • Key skills: Developing a list of your most valuable hard and soft skills makes your resume easier to scan.
  • One or more experience sections: Listing out the value you’ve brought to past jobs or internships is a good predictor of what you can contribute to your next employer.
  • Education: Include your degrees, certifications, and any pertinent details.

Green Resume Templates and Examples

Start your resume with a green resume template and use green resume examples from real jobs.

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  • Environmental Engineer
  • Federal Employment
  • Hydrogeologist
  • Nonprofit Opportunities
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Oliver Green 
1221 Victoria Street, Charlotte, NC 93402 | (989) 876-5454 | [email protected]

Profile

Licensed engineer with nine years of experience in environmental consulting. Ready collaborator who builds positive, productive relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders. Committed to professional integrity and excellence in all endeavors. Master of Science in Environmental Engineering. Bilingual: fluent in English and Spanish.

Key Skills 

  • Biochemistry
  • Complex problem-solving
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Customer relations
  • Environmental investigation
  • Environmental protection & sustainability
  • Facility inspection
  • Field assessment
  • Hazardous waste management studies
  • Leadership consulting
  • Policy development & enforcement
  • Pollution control
  • Process redesign & improvement
  • Program development
  • Project review & management
  • Public health
  • Quality monitoring & assurance
  • Recycling improvement
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Reporting & documentation
  • Scientific data analysis
  • Waste disposal

Professional Experience

Environmental Engineer, Urban Environmental Consulting, Charlotte, NC | November 2013

  • Design and hone processes for recycling, waste disposal, pollution control, and overall public health
  • Collaborate with environmental scientists, geologists, business directors, city planners, and waste technicians
  • Assess and compare field work against project specifications
  • Analyze data and write environmental reports for clients and local and federal agencies

Highlight:

  • Introduced recycling program that reduced solid and hazardous waste disposal by 75%

Education & Credentials

Master of Science in Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

Licensed Professional Engineer – Environmental Engineering, North Carolina 

Languages 

Fluency in Spanish | Proficiency in Italian

Kevin Morrison
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
123 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia PA, 12345

Profile

An Operations Manager with nine years of experience specializing in cross-functional leadership, human resources, team management, and process improvement. A strong history of leading diverse teams to ensure operational excellence across high traffic airports.

Eligibility

Country of Citizenship: United States of America
Veterans’ Preference: 5-point Preference
VEOA Eligibility: Yes
Availability: December 1st, 2022
Job Type: Permanent
Work Schedule: Full Time
Target Location: Philadelphia, PA

Professional Experience

General Manager, Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA
July 2017 – Present

  • Oversee daily operations for a high-traffic airport with over 5K passengers, manage over $150M in annual P&L, and ensure the safety of passengers, flight crews, and personnel
  • Manage over 200+ personnel across 15 departments, oversee $5M in monthly payroll, and identify opportunities to streamline operations and reduce labor costs by 10%
  • Coordinate the delivery of cultural awareness and racial sensitivity to all personnel to promote diversity and prevent discrimination

Operations Manager, Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA
June 2014 – July 2017

  • Coordinated with the general manager and operations team to ensure compliance with safety regulations, import regulations, and export regulations across the airport
  • Managed inventory valued at $1.5M, scheduled maintenance for aircrafts, and ensured optimal staffing levels based on flight forecasts and foot traffic

Warehouse Manager, Comcast, Philadelphia, PA
May 2012 – July 2014

  • Managed operations for seven warehouses across the Greater Philadelphia area and identified opportunities to enhance driver utilization, optimize route planning, and reduce outbound freight costs by 25% over two years

Education

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Operations Management
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA September 2008 – May 2012

High School Diploma
North Philadelphia High School, Philadelphia, PA September 2003 – June 2008

Key Skills

  • Operations Management
  • Cross-Functional Leadership
  • P&L Management
  • Process Improvement
  • Organizational Development

Sofie Yates
(876) 678-8765
[email protected]
323 Sixth Street, Boise, ID 97531

Profile

Knowledgeable hydrogeologist with 7+ years’ experience planning and carrying out water sampling and data analysis. Strong leadership ability with a talent for effective task delegation and communicating complex procedures and plans. Superb attention to detail and ability to interrogate data and detect anomalies for further investigation.

Professional Experience

Research Hydrogeologist, Boise State University, Boise, ID
August 2018 – Present

  • Plan and execute water sampling expeditions to remote locations and overcome accessibility issues, receiving a workplace commendation in 2020 for outstanding problem-solving skills
  • Use a variety of equipment to measure water levels and flow rates and maintain precise records, achieving 99.8% accuracy over 2 years
  • Supervise teams of up to 15 colleagues during borehole logging activities and communicate plans clearly, receiving 95% positive feedback for leadership skills
  • Work collaboratively with the web design department to create educational online resources, increasing public engagement by 21% last year

Hydrogeologist, Suez-Na, Boise, ID
July 2014 – August 2018

  • Analyzed geophysical logs and presented findings clearly both verbally and in writing, receiving praise 4x during reviews for strong communication skills
  • Planned and carried out field investigations and recorded data using Microsoft Excel, exceeding 32% of delivery deadlines over 3 years
  • Worked as a team with the geochemical department to recommend chemical maintenance strategies
  • Maintained detailed and updated knowledge of local water rights legislation and emerging hydrogeological technologies

Education

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, September 2008 – June 2012

Master of Science in Environmental Science
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, September 2012 – June 2014

Key Skills

  • Strategic planning
  • Analysis and interpretation
  • Data management
  • Teamwork
  • Leadership

Hailey Hernandez
(123) 456-7891 | [email protected] | 3616 Canary Road, Anchorage, AK 99501

Profile

Nonprofit Development Professional with 3+ years of experience. Consistently meet or exceed fundraising goals. Skilled in planning events, designing advertisements, and building relationships with web-based donors.

Professional Experience

Development Coordinator, Abused Women Aid in Crisis (AWAIC), Anchorage, AK | September 2019 to Present

  • Identify new donors and negotiate funding
  • Assist with grant writing
  • Set event budgets and account for expected fundraising outcomes
  • Design ads, flyers, posters, and social media posts to promote fundraising events

Highlights:

  • Raised $2.5M through individual and corporate donations
  • Served as lead writer on a $500K grant award

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, University of Alaska, Fairbanks

Key Skills

  • Budgeting
  • Company Partnerships
  • Data Analysis
  • Donor Relations
  • Event Planning
  • Grant Writing
  • Raiser’s Edge

Develop Your Cover Letter and LinkedIn for Green Jobs

To supplement your green resume, craft a compelling cover letter you can send to prospective employers. At the same time, you can develop your LinkedIn profile with much of the same information.

Think of your cover letter as your “elevator pitch” or an extended version of the profile section of your resume. You’ll have more space to provide a glimpse into your personality and discuss in more depth the accomplishments you’re proud of or experiences that make you uniquely suited for your next role.

Network for Green Career Opportunities

If you did an informal poll with the people you know, you’d likely find that many landed an interview at their current job because of a personal connection or someone in their network referring and recommending them. Oftentimes, it is who you know that helps give you an edge during your job search. It’s best to ensure you are tapping your network for potential job leads, career advice, and other industry tips.

You may not realize it, but even as a college student or recent graduate, you’ve already developed a strong professional network for a sustainable career pathway. Some people who you can reach out to:

Explore Jobs at Major Green Employers

Many green employers exist, making matching your passion with a nonprofit or other organization easy. Here are some of the largest green employers, along with their missions, to give you a sense of some opportunities.

Clean Harbors Inc. North America’s leading provider of environmental and industrial services, including end-to-end hazardous waste management, emergency spill response, industrial cleaning and maintenance, and recycling.

View current job openings

Ormat Technologies Inc. A leading renewable energy provider, including geothermal, waste heat Recovered Energy Generation (REG), and energy storage.

View current job openings

Re:wild An organization that aims to protect the biodiversity of the Earth by creating and managing protected areas, restoring and protecting ecosystems, working with Indigenous people on their land rights, and preventing wildlife crime. The company has over 200 active project sites in more than 80 countries to help protect 160 threatened species and support an additional 30,000 species.

View current job openings

Sunrun Inc. One of the top solar companies in the nation, the company also integrates home battery storage, electrification, and other smart home solutions to power homes, cars, and communities.

View current job openings

Tetra Tech Inc. A leading global provider of consulting and engineering services, supporting global commercial and government clients focused on water, environment, sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, and international development.

View current job openings

Leverage Green Job Boards

Aside from large job posting sites like Monster and Indeed, some industry-specific job boards exist. Green job boards can help you find roles focusing on sustainability, environmental issues, climate research, conservation, and other related areas. Here are a few to bookmark:

Conservation Job Board This career website focuses on opportunities within conservation, ecology, forestry, wildlife, and fisheries.

EcoJobs Features jobs in natural resources and conservation; environmental science and engineering; environmental advocacy; environmental law; renewable energy and sustainability; and outdoor and environmental education jobs.

Environmental Defense Fund Green Jobs Hub This hub links to smaller green job boards and professional associations with job leads.

GreenBiz Jobs Search for careers in sustainability, climate tech, renewable energy, net zero, the circular economy, environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), and more.

GreenJobSearch.org This board features green economy jobs, including environmental, conservation, clean energy, climate change, and sustainability postings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Finding Green Jobs

Is there a demand for green jobs?-

Green jobs are growing faster than the average across all occupations. In fact, some studies forecast more than 300 million additional green-collar jobs will be created by 2050 worldwide. This is due to a greater focus on decarbonization, renewable energies, climate change, and other green initiatives.

How do I start a career in climate change?-

Finding a career related to climate change begins with the appropriate course of study and familiarizing yourself with some industry opportunities. Studying climatology or weather topics and then getting an internship with a climate change organization can offer a sustainable career pathway.

What is an example of a green industry?-

Green industries are related to environmental protection, climate change awareness, promoting renewable energies, reducing the carbon footprint, conservation projects, and other eco-friendly initiatives. Popular green industries include solar, wind energy, and electric vehicles.

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