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  Act locally

  Try looking for work in a small local government.  You get to be a jack of all trades, and put that broad knowledge to work.  You also get to butt heads with small-minded people intent on preserving their fifedoms, but it's great mental exercise, and allows you to frequently practice both forgiveness and zen, and (if you look closely) you actually make a difference in the long run.  
  Local government is where the rubber meets the road.  Builders and developers get their permits from cities and counties--and it's usually the cities and counties that enforce most of the environmental rules (like erosion and sedimentation).  Water and sewer departments are locally run, and can do a world of good when they are operated by ecologically minded folks instead of those just trying to meet the letter of the law.  
  I work in a small-medium sized southern city/county as an environmental services director.  I monitor water quality in the area streams, find grants to purchase greenspace, and conduct education programs, among other things.  Yesterday I got to chase a run-away dock down the river and tow it back into place, then race back to attend a city commission meeting to help answer environmental impact questions about a new $900 million mixed-use development on the riverfront.  This morning I spoke with 4th graders at a school summer camp who were doing research on water pollution, then met with the city and county managers and consultants to design a new section of trail/riverwalk in an environmentally sensitive, visually appealing manner (read: riparian restoration, not rip rap).  
  I don't win every battle, but I can see a change in thinking even in some of the ole' boy departments.  And after 5 years, some of the ideas that once drew jeers and rolled eyes are now common place and unquestioned.  Some...but it's moving in the right direction.  
  Local government is where it's at--and if it turns out you don't like the job, or can't influence change from within, you'll have the inside scoop to make one heck of an activist.  
  Good luck.  On Umbra on finding the right green job posted 4 years, 5 months ago 7 Responses