The green buildings and energy efficiency industry is exploding with jobs and opportunities; this map explores 55 of them. An ambitious worker could progress within any of these occupations, or seek the skills and credentials to advance between them. Click any dot to find out more.
There are many ways to pursue evolving interests or new opportunities in the green buildings and energy efficiency industry. These wide-ranging, sample career routes are intended to suggest affinity and possibility; each would entail significant intermediate sequences of work experience and training. Click a path on the right to explore the sample, multi-sector advancement routes.
The Green Buildings Career Map identifies 32 jobs in the Energy Efficiency industry that do not require a college degree. In fact, a recent study by a major job-recruiting company found that just 21% of the jobs posted on its website specifically ask that candidates have a college degree. The U.S. Labor Department says the country is facing a significant shortfall of skilled workers. Many companies are no longer looking for white-collar or blue-collar workers, but instead new-collar workers: individuals who develop the technical and soft skills needed to work in jobs through nontraditional education paths. New-collar workers do not have a four-year degree from college. Instead, new-collar workers gain skills through on-the-job training, high school technical education, on-the-job apprenticeships, vocational schools, technical certification programs, community colleges, the military, and internships. The mid-level and advanced-level new-collar jobs identified in this career map typically require more experience or certification to advance.
Energy Efficiency Program Directors lead the implementation of local, state, regional, or federal programs designed to increase the energy efficiency of residential buildings.
Job DetailHVAC Contractors with heat pump design expertise run businesses that design and install high performance mechanical systems for heating, cooling, and ventilation in residential homes, with a specialization in heat pump technology and energy diagnostics for HVAC systems.
Job DetailBuilding / Home Performance Contractors run businesses that design and install whole-house energy measures to increase the thermal performance of residential buildings, often with a specialization in blower door-guided air sealing and insulation of the building enclosure.
Job DetailResidential Building Code Officials with green building expertise review plans and engineering calculations, process permit requests, and conduct site inspections to ensure code compliance for residential construction projects with significant energy measures included in the scope of work.
Job DetailMultifamily Quality Control Inspectors use their advanced understanding of the green buildings and energy efficiency industry to ensure all energy retrofit work was done properly and the multifamily building is performing as expected.
Multifamily Energy Auditors conduct onsite energy audits and assessments and perform energy modeling to determine the current and desired energy performance, safety, and durability of multifamily buildings.
Job DetailHealthy Home Evaluators assess home-based environmental health and safety hazards and provide recommendations to remediate those hazards.
Job DetailBuilding Performance Crew Leaders supervise the installation of energy efficiency upgrades, closely monitoring crew performance, work quality, safety, and customer needs.
Job DetailQuality Control Inspectors verify the compliance of energy retrofit work based on applicable installation standards and codes using visual and diagnostic data and specify corrective actions where necessary to achieve the intended performance of installed measures.
Job DetailResidential Energy Auditors conduct onsite energy audits and assessments and perform energy modeling to determine the current and desired energy performance, safety, and durability of single family buildings.
Job DetailEnergy Efficiency Sales Representatives generate leads and sales and provide preliminary technical support for residential building performance equipment and materials.
Job DetailResidential Energy Efficiency Technicians install building performance measurements and collect a range of technical data to support the energy audit and home energy upgrade process.
Job DetailEnergy Efficiency Program Assistants provide administrative support for energy efficiency programs.
Job DetailBuilding Performance Installers perform upgrades to residential homes to reduce heat loss and air leakage and to increase the efficiency and safety of mechanical systems.
Job DetailBuilding Code Officials with green building expertise review plans and engineering calculations, process permit requests, and conduct site inspections to ensure code compliance for commercial construction projects with significant energy efficiency measures included in the scope of work.
Job DetailCommercial Construction Managers with green building expertise oversee project planning, scheduling, construction, and quality control for high-performance commercial construction projects.
Job DetailCommercial Building Performance Contractors run businesses that design and install energy-efficient building assemblies, lighting, and equipment to increase the energy performance and durability of commercial buildings.
Job DetailMEP Contractors (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) with green building expertise run businesses that design and install energy efficient, high-performance HVAC and electrical systems in commercial buildings.
Job DetailIndoor Environmental Health Specialists assess a wide variety of commercial and industrial buildings to identify health and safety risks such as indoor air quality, environmental contaminants, and safety hazards and propose remediation measures.
Job DetailSustainable Construction Supervisors oversee the elements of commercial construction projects that impact the installation of high-performance building assemblies and mechanical systems, with a focus on the requirements of green building certification and credentialing schemes.
Job DetailCommercial Construction Forepersons oversee all operations and workers on a commercial construction site and ensure that relevant safety standards and building codes are met.
Job DetailCommercial Energy Auditors collect and analyze energy usage data for commercial buildings and then provide an audit report to outline energy performance, recommendations, and cost savings potential.
Job DetailCommercial Lighting Auditors conduct assessments of lighting systems and conditions in existing commercial, industrial, multifamily, healthcare and educational facilities.
Job DetailInsulation Journeypersons are unionized, experienced installers of insulating products that increase the thermal efficiency and performance of commercials buildings.
Job DetailProduct Sales Specialists generate leads and sales opportunities for commercial energy efficient equipment and provide advanced technical support for the equipment.
Job DetailInsulation/Air Sealing Technicians install products that reduce heat loss and air leakage in commercial buildings and mechanical systems.
Job DetailCommercial Energy Efficiency Technicians assist with data collection for energy audits and installation of energy efficiency upgrades to commercial buildings and mechanical systems.
Job DetailInsulation Apprentices is usually a unionized, entry-level installer of insulating products that increase the thermal efficiency and performance of commercials buildings.
Job DetailChief Engineers oversee entire engineering departments, leading a team as they complete various building projects. Working alongside other engineers and technicians, they approve designs, calculate costs, negotiate contracts, and execute work plans safely and efficiently.
Job DetailSenior Operations Managers manage the daily activities of a business and provide supervision and training to a team of employees to ensure business operations run efficiently and safely.
Job DetailEnergy Engineers design, develop, and evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs of new and existing buildings.
Job DetailEnergy Managers oversee, analyze, and evaluate energy use in buildings, determine energy-related settings and system controls, and plan for upgrades to energy-related systems to optimize building efficiency and performance and reduce energy costs.
Job DetailFacility Managers provide overall direction, coordination, and supervision related to the operations and maintenance of building systems.
Job DetailBuilding Engineers are responsible for overseeing all building maintenance and preventative maintenance schedules in larger buildings and they directly supervise building maintenance employees.
Job DetailBuilding Operators ensure that a building's heating, cooling, mechanical and electrical equipment is running effectively. The exact duties of the building operator depend on the type of structure or structures under the operator's oversight.
Job DetailBuilding Automation Systems Technicians install, repair, and maintain computer-based systems that control and monitor a building's mechanical and electrical equipment including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and energy management systems.
Job DetailBuilding Maintenance Technicians perform routine and emergency maintenance tasks, using a wide range of skills and knowledge in carpentry, electrical systems, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and plumbing.
Job DetailWorking under the supervision of a Building Automations Systems Technician, the Trainee assists with the installation, troubleshooting, and commissioning of building automation systems.
Job DetailBuilding Maintenance Workers perform general and preventative maintenance work on buildings to keep all systems in good repair.
Job DetailBuilding Scientists conduct scientific research to better understand the lifecycle of buildings from construction to operation and maintenance to demolition or reuse.
Job DetailArchitectural Engineers use mathematical and scientific principles in building design to test, evaluate, and improve the structural integrity of buildings and building systems.
Job DetailBuilding Commissioning Professionals ensure that building and mechanical systems meet operational and design requirements in new construction and analyze and design for the optimization of systems in existing buildings to improve building performance and energy efficiency.
Job DetailRegistered Architects plan and design building projects, ensuring all work is carried out to client specifications as well as specific standards, building codes, guidelines and regulations.
Job DetailMechanical Engineers research, design, develop, build, and test power-producing machines, such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines, as well as power-using machines, such as heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
Job DetailInstructors in building science and energy efficient technology bring subject matter expertise to classroom and laboratory instruction in a range of building science courses as part of professional training and education curricula.
Job DetailHeat Pump System Design Engineers design new or replacement high-performance heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems that utilize heat pump technology to meet customer needs and building specifications.
Job DetailLighting Designers design and plan high-efficiency lighting and control systems for residential, multifamily, institutional, commercial or industrial spaces.
Job DetailBuilding Performance Diagnosticians are consultants with building sustainability, diagnostics, and data analysis expertise who guide clients and partners in planning, designing, and operating high-performance building systems that improve the efficiency of the building and quality of life for the occupants.
Job DetailSustainability Specialists support and implement programs that focus on improving the environment and green building practices, saving money for their employer, and helping their local community and the environment.
Job DetailJunior Engineers work under the direct supervision of an Engineer, providing design and development support for new building construction and retrofits, making calculations, preparing plans, and providing project reports.
Job DetailJunior Architects work under the direct supervision of an Architect or Lead Designer, helping to prepare designs, complete construction documents, write up building plans, and assist in the presentation of materials.
Job DetailReal Estate Appraisers with green building expertise analyze and prepare reports on a property's value, inspecting and documenting the condition and type of building assemblies and systems and take into account the market value of energy efficient and high-performance features.
Job DetailReal Estate Agents with green building expertise help clients purchase, rent, or sell property and they understand the market value and the features of energy efficient homes and buildings.
Job DetailCertified Home Energy Raters/Assessors/Home Inspectors collects and analyzes building data and tests building functions to determine the energy performance/rating, safety, and durability of a home.
Job DetailDraftspersons creates technical drawings based on given specifications and calculations using computer-aided design (CAD).
Job DetailAlong the y-axis, jobs sit at three skill levels: ENTRY LEVEL (requiring a high school diploma or equivalent, and no specialized training or work experience); MID LEVEL (requiring a minimum of 1-4 years’ experience with post-secondary training preferred); ADVANCED (5+ years’ experience, journey-level training, or bachelor's level education).
Along the x-axis, jobs fall into four broad sectors: Architecture, Engineering & Other Professional Services; Building Operations/Facility Management; Commercial & Institutional Construction & Retrofitting; and Residential & Multifamily Construction & Retrofitting. There is much overlap and conversation between these linked segments of the Green Buildings Career Map value chain.
