Wind-Energy Developer
The U.S. wind-energy market is very competitive, drawing new players and offering growth opportunities in all sectors of the industry, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). In especially high demand are wind-energy developers, who do the front-end work, including finding plots of land for wind farms, collaborating with meteorologists on wind assessments, and working with land owners and local regulatory agencies and power companies, according to Chris Beck, president of Global Recruiters of Boulder in Colorado, which specializes in recruiting for renewable energy and sustainable industries.
"We see developers who may have engineering, law, construction backgrounds. It really is a fusion of a lot of different disciplines," Beck says. They can earn salaries between $110,000-$180,000, he notes, and often have large bonuses based on successful projects, which can easily add 50 percent or more to their salaries.
Wind Construction Project Manager
After a developer lays the groundwork for a wind farm, the construction manager "takes over and gets the thing built," Beck explains. These positions manage the daily activities of constructing wind farms, such as road work, foundations, collection systems, substation, interconnection, and commissioning, according to AWEA.
"They usually have an engineering background, and oftentimes they have experience building other energy-generating systems, like a fossil fuel plant," according to Beck. Their salary range is between $110,000-$130,000, he says.
Sustainability Director
Sustainability directors devise ways for companies to be more environmentally sensitive through such methods as reducing a company's "carbon footprint." The footprint measures the amount of greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating, etc., according to CarbonFootprint.com.
Directors' broad range of responsibilities fall into two categories, says Richard Eidlin, the Colorado-based business outreach director at the Apollo Alliance, which promotes clean energy and a reduction in dependence on foreign oil. There's an internal side of the job that looks holistically at how a company operates and creates ways to boost the bottom line through energy efficiency. On the external side, the director interacts with suppliers, regulators and products designers, as well as customers, investors, and advocacy groups.
Eidlin says the jobs are fairly high-paid, earning $100,000 and up, and usually require a background in science or engineering, depending on the company. "People interested in science, society, and policy would find this position of interest, because you have to keep track of all three to do well," he explains.
Energy Engineer
Energy engineers help companies reduce their energy costs, often focusing on making buildings more energy efficient. These positions are in high demand, according to Beck, as more companies strive for energy efficiency. Mechanical engineers are good candidates for these jobs; they simply need to learn about energy efficiency tools and techniques, Beck explains. He says their salary range is between $65,000 and $120,000.
If you're looking for a full-time energy engineering gig, your best bet may be at a larger firm with a bigger budget, according to Eidlin.
Environmental Engineer
Using biology and chemistry principles to develop solutions to environmental problems is the work of environmental engineers, who seek to limit the effects of acid rain, global warming, car emissions, and ozone depletion. "Assignments include the development of long-range community, regional, or facility plans to serve the public and protect the environment," according to Alexandra Levit's new book, "How'd You Score That Gig?: A Guide to the Coolest Jobs-and How to Get Them." "Environmental engineers are the ones behind the scenes, working every day to keep our planet from deteriorating more than it already has."
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says environmental engineers should see employment growth of 25 percent between 2006 and 2016, much faster than the average for all occupations. PayScale salary data shows the annual median salary for environmental engineers with five to nine years of experience at $61,142.
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