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Focus on Green Jobs

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JobMonkey.com
Volume VIII, Issue #15
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Hello again! This is a big week for America. A lot of people will be getting new jobs in Washington, D.C. this week, not least among them our new Commander in Chief. As you have probably heard by now, one of President Obama's primary goals is to jumpstart America's failing economy. Just how does he plan to do that? One way is through his list of job creating priorities, including significant investment in the green economy sector. But what is the green economy - and, more importantly, how can job seekers benefit from it? That's what this newsletter is all about. Be sure to check out our Spotlight Article for the inside story on green jobs and take a peek at our Job Announcement section for recent green job openings.

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

1) Spotlight: The 411 on Green Jobs
2) Around the Monkey: Blogging 'Bout the Green Economy
3) Job Announcement: Green Jobs

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SPOTLIGHT: The 411 on Green Jobs
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On Tuesday morning, America's 44th President will be sworn in on the steps of the Capitol building. Despite the excitement and optimism, the reality is that President Barack Obama is starting his new job at a particularly inauspicious time. The housing market has tanked, the stock market is in a free fall, and more Americans are out of work today than at any other time in recent history.

So how does the new Commander in Chief plan to turn around America's worst economy since the Great Depression? At the top of Obama's list of priorities is investment in infrastructure - AKA sectors of the economy that will fuel the creation of new jobs. Primary among these sectors is the green economy.

When used by President Obama and his advisors, the term "green" refers to fields that promote cleaner, more self-sufficient energy consumption and utilization of resources. Jobs that make our country more environmentally friendly are the green ones. Or, as a recent press release from American Rivers, an environmental nonprofit, explained it:

Green infrastructure incorporates natural systems that can help supply clean water, reduce polluted runoff, stop sewer overflows, minimize flooding and enhance community health and safety. It means restoring floodplains instead of building taller and taller levees. It means planting trees and installing green roofs, rather than enlarging sewers or building a costly new treatment plant.

According to Obama's economic plan (which still has to be approved by Congress - not a minor hurdle), millions of green jobs will be created over the next decade. By the year 2030, an estimated one in four Americans will be employed by green industries, and many of them will hold green collar jobs. Green collar refers primarily to manual labor jobs - or, as San Francisco State University's Raquel Pinderhughes, puts it: "Blue collar jobs in green businesses."

How Do I Know If I Am Qualified for a Green Collar Job?
The good news if you are currently looking for a new job is that many of the opportunities in the green industries do not require years of retraining and higher education. The majority of people who are employed in green collar jobs have previous blue collar or manual labor work experience. Most green employers are looking for strong workers with a demonstrated willingness to work hard. Good communication skills and a positive work ethic are also plusses.

Here's a look at eight of the fastest growing green collar job sectors that you may want to learn more about. (If you do, just click the link for more information from JobMonkey.)

1. Solar Technician
2. Solar Installer
3. Wind Farm Manager
4. Wind Field Technician
5. Hydroelectric Technician
6. Biofuel Lab Technician
7. Organic Farmer
8. Eco Tour Guide

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AROUND THE MONKEY: All About Green Collar Jobs
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The JobMonkey blog ran a series of in-depth posts on the emerging green economy a couple of months ago. Here is an oldie but goodie covering everything from types of green jobs to pay for green collar laborers. A follow-up post from the next week is rich with links to articles around the blogosphere about how green industry jobs are going to revolutionize America's economy.

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JOB OPENINGS: Green Jobs
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The JobMonkey Job Center hosts a free database of job postings from around the country. The database is updated daily, so be sure to check in frequently for the latest and greatest job opportunities. If you want to check out jobs in green industries, just select "Green Jobs" from the Category menu.

Find current jobs in the Job Center.

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