Great to see this piece by Kevin Doyle.  He poses the right question by asking what green jobs really mean.  For all the (justified) excitement about this phenomenon, there is a bit of a danger that green jobs will suffer the fate of sustainable development: namely that it means all kinds of things to different people, and that certain interested parties (corporations, governments, etc.) may claim some jobs to be green that are anything but.

So, other than the challenge of actually creating lots of green jobs, there is the tremendous task of coming up with a meaningful definition.  That's not a matter of semantics.  Rather, we need to develop some criteria by which we can make a reasonable judgment.

This is relatively easy when it comes to jobs in the renewable energy sector:  jobs in wind and solar are an obvious choice for the green category.

It's far more difficult with regard to biofuels, where there's now a raging debate about the pluses and minuses of this energy source.

It gets even more difficult when we talk about the  field of energy efficiency.  What is sufficiently efficient to be called green?

Finally, in all the excitement over green jobs, lets not forget that there are important social aspects.  A green job is not particularly great if it offers poor pay or working conditions, or if unionization is suppressed.

Thanks Kevin for your comprehensive review of the State of the Green Job! Based on the research I've done, I completely agree with your assessment that the green economy is in its infancy (aside from the traditional environmental sector) and in motion.

The various green industries are maturing at different rates, which means their hiring needs differ wildly in terms of the number and type of employees they need to hire. Some industries are ramping up while others are just starting out. In the end, policy, regulation, funding, and technology will all play a role in determining which industries flourish. It's too early to know the answer.

As a result job seekers can't rely on traditional job search strategies. They must take the initiative.

In addition to talking to people who have green jobs, I recommend immersing yourself in your target industry and profession. As you gain more knowledge through conversations, conferences, and reading, you'll begin to see gaps in current practices and untapped opportunities. (See the State of Green Business report Kevin mentions as a starting point.)

When your experience and skills allow you to contribute solid solutions to help alleviate gaps and act on opportunities, you are in a position of power.

Approach the key decision maker and make the pitch that you are the person to resolve the situation that's costing them money. Take the initiative and create the job that no one has defined or counted yet!  

Founder and Managing Editor GreenCareerCentral.com Transform Your Passion for the Environment into a Prosperous Green Career