Why should anyone consider green jobs?

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1. Green jobs may pay up to 20 percent more than other jobs. As  America transforms itself  to a new green economy, green-collar workers will be in demand. Many companies are paying higher wages to workers with green-collar skills. Green-collar jobs provide living wages and allow everyone to share in the benefits of the middle class.

2. Green jobs are and will continue to be plentiful. Consider a State that, for example, creates legislation requiring houses to improve in energy efficiency. This legislation may mean that windows need to be replaced, heating and cooling systems upgraded, alternative technologies installed, and energy efficient appliances considered. Now, think of all the houses in one State alone. Do you think there are enough workers in that State to get this job done? In most cases, there are not enough trained workers. There will continue to be opportunities in green-collar jobs as we transition to a new green economy. Greencollar businesses continue to grow and hire staff despite the economic downturn.

3. Green jobs are not just for scientists. Green jobs are for everyone! The green economy needs salespeople, installers, carpenters, technicians, cooks, tree planters, and people in traditional blue-collar jobs that have green-collar skills. Many green-collar jobs require more education than high school, but less than a college degree. Job Corps centers are a great location to develop the training and skills needed for green-collar jobs.

4. Becoming trained in a green-collar vocation provides advantages over those people who are already in the workforce. Employers look for skills and experience. Students may be concerned that they won’t have enough work experience to get a job once they graduate. However, green skills may put them at the top of the list over someone with more experience.

5. Green jobs are often found close to home. Wouldn’t it be great to have a job in your own community? Cities, counties, and businesses are looking for local workers to plant community gardens, install solar panels, and weatherize homes. It is very expensive to bring in these workers from other locations and, in most cases, this work can’t be shipped elsewhere.

6. Green jobs help to protect and improve our environment. The human population is currently using up the Earth’s resources at a faster rate than they can be produced. We are digging up coal and pumping oil that pollute the planet, result in a rapidly changing climate, and create health problems for people and animals. We need to find ways of supporting ourselves and protecting the planet at the same time. People who work in green-collar jobs are making homes more energy efficient and are planting urban trees to absorb carbon dioxide.

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Government New Hires Tell What They Did to Get the Job

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The job search experience plays a key role in who is selected for Federal positions. It determines who hears about job vacancies, what steps they take to apply for jobs and how long they must wait to be hired (or not). Some of the most common complaints about the Federal hiring process are that it is excessively long, complicated and bureaucratic. To learn from their job hunt experiences and identify ways to improve the process, a government survey asked Federal new hires what steps they took to get their job and what obstacles they faced.

Learning About Jobs
Here, we take a close look at how new hires first learned about their Federal job to identify how specific recruitment strategies can be used more effectively.

Friends and Relatives
When asked how they first learned about their Federal job, new hires’ top answer (31 percent) was that a friend or relative told them about it (see Fig. 1), particularly one who works for the Federal Government. The importance of personal contacts and referrals in recruitment plays a major role in the hiring process. In fact, a 2006 Booz Allen Hamilton recruitment-trends survey found that recruitment practitioners rated employee referrals as the top source not only in terms of applicant quantity but also in terms of applicant quality (Booz Allen Hamilton, 2006 DirectEmployers Association Recruiting Trends Survey, February 2006, pp. 6, 8.).

USAJOBs
Does anyone remember what it was like trying to find out about Federal vacancies before the advent of the Internet? For the most part, an applicant had to locate and go to the closest Office of Personnel Management (OPM) office to look through vacancy announcements, call individual agencies to find out about opportunities or pay to subscribe to periodicals that provided a list of Federal vacancies open at the time of publication.

Now, OPM sponsors USAJOBs—the official Federal job site that provides potential applicants with full vacancy announcements for all competitive service and some excepted service job openings. With 20 percent of new hires reporting that USAJOBs was how they first heard of their job, the Web site is obviously an important recruitment source.

USAJOBs has many advantages. It is open 24/7, is updated in real time and is available to anyone who can access the Internet. Applicants can search job opportunities using a variety of criteria, such as job title or key word, agency, location and pay. Applicants can create a Federal resume, store it on the site and, in many instances, use that one resume to apply online for multiple Federal jobs.

Agency Web Sites
Only 7 percent identified the agency Web site as the first place they learned of their job. While some agency Web sites may not be the first place a potential applicant will go to find a Federal job, they are probably a valuable secondary source of information. Once potential applicants have identified a specific job that interests them, they are likely to go to the agency Web site for more information about the agency, including its mission, organizational culture, career advancement opportunities, workplace flexibilities and other features.

College Fairs and Related Sources
College fairs and school placement officials proved to be a significant employment source for recently graduated new hires. Fifty-one percent of new hires who came to Government directly from school heard about their first job in this way. It appears that agencies are increasing their campus recruitment efforts.

For additional information regarding careers in the federal government, visit http://www.dreamfedjob.com/

Do you know any person ages 16 to 24 who's in need of free career training?

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If you do, then pass the word.... Job Corps is a free education and training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED, and find and keep a good job. For eligible young people at least 16 years of age that qualify as low income, Job Corps provides the all-around skills needed to succeed in a career and in life. This great program is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Through a nationwide network of campuses, Job Corps offers a comprehensive array of career development services to at-risk young women and men, ages 16 to 24, to prepare them for successful careers. Education, training, and support services are provided to students at 124 Job Corps center campuses located throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Job Corps centers are operated for the U.S. Department of Labor by private companies through competitive contracting processes, and by other Federal Agencies through interagency agreements.

Job Corps offers hands-on training in more than 100 career technical areas, including: automotive and machine repair, construction, finance and business services, health care, hospitality, information technology, manufacturing, renewable resources, and many more. All training programs are aligned with industry certifications and are designed to meet the requirements of today's careers.

Job Corps also offers the opportunity to earn a high school diploma or a GED for those youth who don't have either. For youth who already have a high school diploma, Job Corps can help them prepare for college through partnerships with local colleges. Resources are also available for English Language Learners.
Courses in independent living, employability skills, and social skills are offered to all Job Corps students in order to help them make the transition into the workplace.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining Job Corps, call (800) 733-JOBS or (800) 733-5627 where an operator will provide you with general information about Job Corps, refer you to the admissions counselor closest to where you live, and mail you an information packet. Good luck!!!

If you're looking for a career with the Federal government, don't forget to stop by http://www.dreamfedjob.com/ 

Employment Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

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The Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities

What Is the Workforce Recruitment Program?
The Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP) is a resource to connect public and private sector employers nationwide with highly motivated postsecondary students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities in the workforce. Employers seek to fill both temporary and permanent positions in a variety of fields.
Myths, stereotypes, and misconceptions about people with disabilities often stand in the way when people with disabilities look for jobs, resulting in a high rate of unemployment. Statistics show that people with disabilities from minority backgrounds encounter even greater difficulty in obtaining work. The WRP aims to eliminate this workplace discrimination one student, one employer, and one job at a time.

Who Is Eligible to Participate in the WRP?
An applicant for the program must

• have a substantial disability
• be a United States citizen
• be enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning on a substantially full-time basis (unless the severity of the disability precludes the student from taking a substantially full-time load) to seek a degree OR
• be enrolled in such an institution as a degree-seeking student taking less than a substantially full-time load in the enrollment period immediately prior to graduation OR
• have graduated from such an institution within the past year

What Does the WRP Offer to Colleges and Universities?
The WRP provides a unique opportunity for colleges and universities to

• tap into a system that has been successfully placing students with disabilities in summer and permanent positions in the public and private sectors for over 15 years, at no cost to the school, the student, or the employer
• bring together the resources of their disability services, career services, and veteran services offices to promote more effectively the job seeking skills and career readiness of their students with disabilities
• provide their students with disabilities a chance to grow personally and professionally through participation in this nationwide program

What Does the WRP Offer to Eligible Students?
The WRP is an excellent way for students with disabilities in all fields of study to

• market their abilities to a wide variety of potential employers across the United States
• sharpen their interviewing skills during a required one-on-one meeting with a WRP recruiter
• gain valuable skills, experience, and contacts on the job
• prove that people with disabilities can be excellent employees

How Does the Program Work?
The WRP operates on the following timeline:

• By early August, the schedule of recruitment visits to schools is confirmed and posted online under the Resources section of the website (www.wrp.gov).
• From September through November, recruitment visits, which include 30-minute personal interviews with individual candidates, are conducted.
• By early December, a database composed of student applications and profiles are made available to employers in the public and private sectors.
• Once the database is released, interested employers make direct contact with students about temporary and permanent job offers. The database is active for one year.

The WRP is co-sponsored by the Office of Disability Employment Policy and the Department of Defense, with support from other federal agencies.
How Can You Participate?

• If you want to be the coordinator for WRP on your campus and you are an employee in a disability services office, career services office, or other faculty or staff member please contact the WRP Coordinator at wrp@dol.gov.
• If you are an eligible student, share this information with your school's disability services coordinator, career services coordinator, or other faculty and staff member and ask him or her to contact the WRP Coordinator. Please understand that we work directly with campus coordinators, and cannot respond to inquiries from individual students.

Great Career Choices for Students - Working for the State Department

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Have you ever considered getting a jump start on your career while you're still in school? Then the Student Career Education Program (SCEP), also known as the Cooperative Education Program (Co-Op) could be your answer.

This forward-thinking partnership between you, your school and the U.S. Department of State puts you at an advantage by combining your academic studies with on-the-job training and relevant career experience.

You'll apply theories and work on projects that give real-life meaning to your classroom instruction. You'll have the choice to work full- or part-time. And you'll earn a paycheck as you serve your nation. Due to the unique partnership between the student, the school and the Department of State, the student is paid a government salary and is expected to work either part or full time in a capacity that is compatible with the student’s course load. Students are required to work in areas that are directly related to their academic program and career goals. Participants provide support to bureaus in the Washington D.C. area and some regional areas.

Eligibility requirements

You must be:

• At least 16 years of age
• A U.S. citizen
• Enrolled in a degree, certificate or diploma (full- or part-time) program
• In good academic standing at your school
• Able to meet security requirements

Compensation & Benefits

• Accrue annual and sick leave
• Sick Leave accrued at a rate of 4 hours per pay period, 13 days per leave year
• Eligible for pro-rated health and life insurance coverage
• Paid federal holidays
• Flexible work schedule
• Thrift Savings Plan (equivalent to 401(k)) with Government matching
• May qualify for credit towards degree requirements

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and placements are made throughout the year. The State Department keeps applications on file for 6 months in hopes of matching you with a bureau. In order to apply, you should electronically send your resume and cover letter if possible to coop@state.gov.

To qualify, you must be pursuing a degree, certificate or diploma (full time or part time), and at least 16 years of age. You also need to be in good academic standing at your school, a U.S. citizen, and able to meet security requirements.

What is the Work Schedule?

Students typically work part-time while school is in session and full time during breaks. There are no limitations on the number of hours a student can work per week. A specific work schedule will be submitted that fits with the student’s academic schedule as well as the bureau’s need. This program is the perfect work-study combination.

How are Students Paid?

Students are paid at regular government salary rates (typically GS-1 through GS-5). Pay is dependent on the level of education and experience the candidate may possess, based on the qualification standard of the job the applicant is seeking.

What is the Application Process?

An application is a student’s resume, cover letter and most recent (unofficial) transcript. All items need to be electronically submitted to coop@state.gov identifying the subject as “Cooperative Education Applicant Resume.” Please attach documents using Microsoft Word.

1. Be sure to include in your resume:
2. School and Degree Pursuit
3. Security Clearances (If Applicable)
4. Veterans Preference (If Applicable)
5. Location Preference

Washington DC - Metro Area; Arizona – Phoenix; California – Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego; Colorado – Denver; Connecticut – Bridgeport; Florida – Miami; Georgia – Atlanta; Hawaii – Honolulu; Illinois – Chicago Louisiana – New Orleans; Massachusetts – Boston; Missouri – Saint Louis New Hampshire – Portsmouth; New York – New York City; North Carolina – Greensboro; Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, Puerto Rico – San Juan; South Carolina – Charleston; Texas – Dallas and Houston; Washington – Seattle

When is the Application Due?

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and placements are made throughout the year.

Contact Information for Student Programs

If you have any questions or concerns:

Email: coop@state.gov identifying the subject as “Cooperative Education Program Inquiry”

Phone: (202) 261-8888 (Ask for the Co-op Coordinator)

What to Expect as a Cooperative Education Applicant

Before submitting your resume and cover letter to coop@state.gov we suggest you bring it to a school counselor or career services to look over. You want to make sure these items have all your information, are formatted well and have no spelling errors, since this is your first impression with managers.

After you submit your application, you should receive a receipt of application email, no later than one week from when you applied. If you do not get a response, please resubmit your application.

As we said before, once the State Department receives your application, they keep your resume on file for 6 months in hopes that they will find you a placement in that time. They are unable to tell applicants the status of their application because these positions are need based, and they become available as needed.

Placements are made when:

1. A bureau coordinator or manager contacts the Cooperative Education coordinator, requesting the need for a student with certain characteristics, for example: a certain major or work experience background.
2. Next the Co-op coordinator goes through the file of applicants and sends the best matches to the bureau coordinator or manager.
3. The bureau coordinator or manager then goes through the applications and sets up interviews with those they are interested in hiring.

What to Expect if You Have Been Appointed to a Cooperative Education Position

     A. Once a bureau coordinator or manager has interviewed you and given you a verbal offer for the Co-op  position, you will need to provide them with the following materials:

1. An updated resume that includes your birth date and social security number.
2. A current official transcript. (If you are just beginning a term in school and do not have a transcript yet,   please submit a proof of enrollment.)
3. Completed Co-op agreement.

     B. Once your bureau coordinator or manager has received all these materials they will send them to  Human Resources – Student Programs to process your appointment.

     C. Student Programs will contact you with information regarding your tentative offer for the Co-op position as well as the security clearance process.

     D. Students tentatively selected for the program must undergo a background investigation and receive either a Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

     E. The security clearance process takes approximately 90-120 days to complete from the time the forms are received. Investigations may take substantially longer than 120 days if you have had extensive travel, education, residence and/or employment overseas, or if you have dual citizenship, foreign contacts, immediate family or relatives who are not citizens of the United States and/or a foreign born spouse or if there is a security, suitability or medical issue to resolve. These issues could include a current or past history of drugs or alcohol abuse, as well as a recent history of credit problems. Although these problems will not necessarily preclude you from receiving a security clearance, they will lengthen the time required to complete the clearance process. It is important to be completely honest when filling out your security questionnaire.

Note: It is possible that you could receive an interim clearance, which would allow you to work at the Department of State while your investigation is still taking place.

      F. Your offer is not official until you receive written notification from Student Programs. Once you receive that, you will be able to schedule a time for orientation.

Non-Competitive Conversion into the Civil Service

A great benefit of the Cooperative Education Program is that after the completion of certain requirements, it is possible that the participant be converted to a civil service position. However, a non-competitive conversion is not guaranteed.

Requirements

     A. Participants in the Co-op program may be non-competitively converted to a career or career-conditional appointment when students have:

1. Completed, within the preceding 120 days, at an accredited school, course requirements conferring a certificate or degree;
2. Completed at least 640 hours of career-related work before completion of, or concurrently with, the course requirements;
3. Been recommended by the employing agency in which the career-related work was performed; and
4. Met the qualification standard for the targeted position to which the student is appointed.

    B. Conversions must be an occupation related to the student’s academic training and career related work experience.

    C. The non-competitive conversion may be to a position with the same agency or any other agency within the Federal Government.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are all the positions in the Washington D.C. area?

A: Co-op positions are typically only in the Washington D.C. area. Most students go to schools that are located in the Washington D.C area and then commute to work. There are very few instances that a student is placed in another city. However, in the rare cases that they are, they are typically at passport agencies. If you are interested in working outside of the D.C. area please specify that on your resume and cover letter.

Q: What type of work will I be doing?

A: Every Co-op placement is different. As long as the position is directly related to your academic major and/or career goals.

Q: I can’t attach an unofficial transcript, what should I do?

A: If you are unable to attach an unofficial transcript to your application, you may submit your resume without it. Please note that if you do receive a placement you will need to send in your current official transcript.

Q: What should I do if I want to update my resume?

A: Updating your resume whenever you have made changes is encouraged. This way they will be sending your most current resume to managers. If you would like to update your resume, please electronically submit it to coop@state.gov identifying the subject as “Updated Resume - last name”

Q: Do Co-op students receive benefits?

A: Yes, Co-op students receive several types of benefits. Students earn annual and sick leave based on a prorated basis of how many hours worked per pay period. They are also eligible for both health and life insurance coverage.

Q: Can my work experience while on the Student Temporary Employment Program count towards the required 640 hours necessary for noncompetitive conversion career conditional employment?

A: Yes, if the work performed is related to the student’s academic studies and career goals. There should be clear documentation showing the “relatedness” between the work, actual duties/tasks/assignments, performed while on a STEP appointment to the work that will be performed while on a SCEP appointment.

For detail information about federal careers, visit http://www.dreamfedjob.com/.

Happy Earth Day 2011...Four Awesome Green Jobs

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Take nothing but pictures.
Leave nothing but footprints.
Kill nothing but time.
~Motto of the Baltimore Grotto, a caving society

It’s hard to avoid the word “green” these days. From policies to programs, it seems that green is cool—and red hot. Green is often used as a synonym for environmental or ecological, especially as it relates to products and activities aimed at minimizing damage to our planet. Scientists and engineers have long had important roles in the environmental movement. Their expertise is focused on a variety of issues, including increasing energy efficiency, improving air and water quality, and sustaining natural resources. And, with interest in such projects growing, there should be additional opportunities for these scientists and engineers in the future.

This blog describes the job duties, employment, outlook, wages, and training requirements for conservation scientists, environmental engineers, environmental scientists, and hydrologists. Conservation scientists, environmental scientists, environmental engineers, and hydrologists are among the workers who apply their specialized knowledge to a variety of environmental issues. This specialized knowledge comes from college study in math and sciences, including biology, chemistry, geography, and statistics. In addition, good communications skills are essential for writing reports and sharing project results with employers, colleagues, or the public.

These workers gather and analyze information to create solutions to the problems they study. Conservation scientists usually work independently, but environmental engineers, environmental scientists, and hydrologists are often part of a team.

Conservation scientists

Conservation scientists develop strategies to help manage, improve, and protect the Earth’s resources. To devise these protective strategies, conservation scientists often collect samples of soil, water, and plants, as well as record data on plant and animal life. After they have analyzed the samples and data, these workers create a conservation plan. Their plan offers strategies for optimizing resources while minimizing damage to the surrounding environment.

There are several types of conservation scientists, and they often have different job titles. One of the most common types is range manager. These workers study and care for rangelands—the open expanses of land located primarily in the Western States and Alaska that contain natural resources, such as wildlife habitats, watersheds, and mineral and energy sources. Another type of conservation scientist is soil and water conservationist. These workers study soil and water conditions and offer advice about maintaining or improving the quality of these and related resources. Soil conservationists help identify causes of soil erosion and develop plans to correct them.

Conservation scientists held about 15,800 jobs in May 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Federal, State, and local governments employed nearly 75 percent of these workers. Other conservation scientists are employed by social advocacy groups, including nonprofit organizations, and by consulting firms. A small portion is self-employed.

The mean annual wages of conservation scientists in May 2008 were $60,170, according to BLS. Mean wages were $69,090 for conservation scientists in the Federal Government and $51,520 in local government. (BLS does not have wage data for these workers in State government.) Those employed by social advocacy groups had mean wages of $54,540; those employed in management, scientific, and technical consulting services had mean wages of $55,320.

Environmental engineers

Environmental engineers develop methods, systems, and products to prevent or repair environmental harm. Environmental engineers may specialize in the types of problems they solve. Some assess the likely impact of different projects on air and water quality, animal habitats, and other aspects of the natural and human environment and then devise ways to avoid or minimize harm. Others study watersheds and other natural water systems and develop processes, policies, and machinery for maintaining and supplying clean water to the public. Still others develop wastewater treatment or other systems to control or reduce problems associated with disposal of pollutants.

Environmental engineers held about 52,590 jobs in May 2008, according to BLS. About 30 percent worked for Federal, State, or local governments. An additional 30 percent worked for engineering services firms. The remaining environmental engineers were employed by management, scientific, and technical consulting services; scientific research and were $77,970. Environmental engineers who worked for the Federal Government had mean wages of $92,750. State government workers had mean wages of $65,320, and local government workers had mean wages of $66,510. Workers employed by engineering services firms had mean annual wages of $80,450.

Environmental scientists

Environmental scientists conduct research to help identify and lessen environmental hazards that affect both humans and wildlife. This research involves collecting and analyzing samples of air, food, water, and soil to determine the state of the environment. Using their skills and training, these scientists attempt to solve problems ranging from reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to preventing the loss of habitats to monitoring waste disposal. After environmental scientists identify a problem, they come up with ways to reduce or eliminate its negative effects.

In May 2008, according to BLS, environmental scientists and specialists, including health, held about 80,100 jobs. About 45 percent of environmental scientists worked for Federal, State, and local governments. BLS data show that in May 2008, the mean annual wages for environmental scientists were $65,280. Mean wages were $58,040 for these scientists in local government; $70,450 in management, scientific, and technical consulting services; and $63,990 in engineering services.

Hydrologists

Hydrologists find ways to optimize our use of water, protect it from contamination, and improve water sources that have been damaged or polluted. Their work helps ensure easy access to safe water for households, businesses, crop irrigation, power generation, and more.

Hydrologists study the quality, quantity, location, and movement of water. They follow water as it travels through rivers, estuaries, and streams; as it seeps into the ground; and as it evaporates into the atmosphere and returns to Earth as precipitation. Hydrologists typically split their time between the office and the outdoors, frequently traveling to field sites and working in all types of weather, climates, and terrain.
Hydrologists held about 7,600 jobs in May 2008, according to BLS. Federal, State, and local governments employed about half of these workers. In May 2008, according to BLS, hydrologists had mean annual wages of $73,540. Those in architectural, engineering, and related services had mean wages of $75,830; workers in management, scientific, and technical consulting services had mean wages of $74,760. Hydrologists employed by the Federal Government had mean wages of $78,470.

Get general information about environmental careers from the Green Careers Center, formerly the Environmental Career Center. Its employment resources include information about training and degree programs, workshops, and environmental associations. Contact the career center at:
Green Careers Center
2 Eaton St., Suite 711
Hampton, VA 23669
Toll-free: 1 (800) 745–0639
(757) 727–7895
eccinfo@environmentalcareer.com
http://www.environmentalcareer.com/

For online listings of green jobs, searchable by sector (such as climate change or renewable energy), city, or State, visit the Green Jobs Network at http://www.greenjobs.net/.

To learn more about the occupations featured in this blog, contact the professional association of the ones that interest you.

For information about conservation scientists, contact:
Society for Range Management
10030 W. 27th Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO 80215
(303) 986–3309
srmweb@rangelands.org
www.rangelands.org/srm.shtml

For information about environmental scientists, contact:
American Geological Institute
4220 King St.
Alexandria, VA 22302
(703) 379–2480
http://www.agiweb.org/

For information about environmental engineers, contact:
American Academy of
Environmental Engineers
130 Holiday Ct., Suite 100
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 266–3311
info@aaee.net
http://www.aaee.net/

For information about hydrologists, contact:
American Institute of Hydrology
Engineering D—Mail Code 6603
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
1230 Lincoln Dr.
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 453–7809
http://www.aihydrology.org/

For additional information about careers in the federal government visit http://www.dreamfedjob.com/