So you want to break into sustainability and the green economy? Here’s our list of the best green job resources in Portland, Oregon and beyond.

Sustainability Career Resources and Green Jobs in Portland, Oregon, and Beyond

By A Portland Career, edited by Dan Hahn, M.S., and Suzie Sherman

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So many job seekers are looking for their dream job in sustainability, climate change, and the green economy, but it’s hard to know where to start. Here’s a practical resource guide providing up-to-date, relevant information to build your sustainability career and find green jobs in Portland, nationally, and globally. 

 

Sustainability and green jobs are a growing area of the economy, and so many people are excited to get involved and make a difference on their career path. The problem is: where to start? While there’s no one local or national website that captures all the postings for sustainability jobs, or all the information you need to get started on a green career path, there are a lot of great resources, and we’ve compiled some of the best here. Once you find a clear niche, you might use several of these resources to stay current in your part of the green world.

We’ve broken down this post into four sections that’ll be useful at any stage of your job search or career exploration:

  • Green job listings and career resources
  • Local sustainability organizations
  • Local government sustainability resources, and
  • Books, publications, and podcasts

If you need more guidance choosing the best career path for you, assessing your skills and interest areas, or preparing your job application materials, get in touch with us. 

Want to cast your net for different kinds of nonprofit jobs? See our Nonprofit Career Resources post for more!

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Green job listings and career resources

Check out many of the sites listed below and choose a few that have postings most relevant to your goals.  Most of these are job boards with current job postings. The others have networking events, blogs, newsletters, LinkedIn or Facebook groups or Twitter feeds with networking opportunities and occasional job openings.

In addition to reviewing these job sites, remember to periodically check employer websites directly and set your Indeed and LinkedIn accounts to notify you of position announcements using keywords like “sustainability,” “natural resources,” and “environmental.” Read our post on the best online job boards and how to use them effectively for more great tips.

  • Green Jobs Network An exhaustive job board for environmental and sustainability jobs across a vast array of sectors and job titles. Jobs listings are organized by category and location, with career opportunities in fields such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, ecology, natural resources, water conservation, waste management, forestry, environmental education, and many more. You can also check out their Facebook group for national environmental job postings, current job opportunities for Greater Oregon and Portland, as well as their newsletter for job seekers.

  • Portland State University Careers in Sustainability: A comprehensive directory for jobs and careers in sustainability, in Portland and beyond. This is a great resource for defining what “green jobs” are and how to find them, how to create career pathways, and where to go to network and find like-minded people to work with.

  • Idealist is an online directory that includes job listings, internships, fellowships, and volunteer opportunities in social responsibility and sustainability. The website also contains extensive resources for professional training and certification in numerous environmental career fields, and links to sustainability-related higher education programs.

  • International Living Future Institute Careers: ILFI works to build sustainable relationships between people and ecosystems through restorative public and private sector green building projects and ecologically sound products. ILFI offers a wide variety of certificates and accreditations in emerging greenbiz fields such as energy-efficient construction and sustainable manufacturing.

  • Mac’s List: Local, online job board focused exclusively on Portland and Seattle. Searches for “sustainability” and “environmental” bring up several current job listings. The website is easy to navigate and gives you the ability to choose between Portland and Seattle as you scan posted job listings.

  • Indeed: robust job board for local, national, and remote job search. If you don’t already have an account, create one, and fine tune your search by category, location, desired pay scale, and more. Enter search keywords like “sustainability,” “ecology,” “forestry,” etc. Read our post about how to use online job boards to get more bang outta your buck on Indeed.

  • Craigslist PDX: There are a significant number of postings for sustainability jobs under the creative and nonprofit categories of the jobs menu. Craigslist remains a valuable job search resource, but we encourage any prospective job seeker to exercise discretion when using the site, since the names and credentials of the companies, organizations, and individuals posting jobs are often vague or are not listed.

Local sustainability organizations

Following are local Portland and Greater Oregon organizations focused on sustainable business practices and responding and adapting to the challenges of climate change. Getting involved locally in nonprofits and industry advocacy groups is a fantastic way to make connections and network with other like-minded sustainability professionals working for change. There are literally hundreds of environmental and sustainability-focused business and organizations in Oregon; here are just a few:

  • The Association of Oregon Recyclers: The AOR is dedicated to improving sustainable materials management practices and advocating for sustainability policies through membership based action and lobbying state and local government. The website is the best resource online for information about Greater Portland’s evolving recycling laws. Membership gives you access to extensive and continuously updated green job listings and the latest news about local sustainability initiatives.

  • Green Empowerment: Portland-based environmental nonprofit with an international focus, Green Empowerment partners with global indigenous and rural communities to build sustainable water and energy infrastructure to improve public health and build climate change resilience.

  • Sustainable Northwest’s mission is to address environmental sustainability through green business practices, bringing climate stewardship goals in line with tangible economic benefits to Pacific Northwest communities. The work is centered on clean energy, sustainable forestry and farming practices, and governmental advocacy.

Local government sustainability resources

Keeping your finger on the pulse of government-driven initiatives in the green sector is a great idea as you build your career in sustainability. These government departments set environmental policy, contribute to public sustainability education, and provide resources and infrastructure to environmental works projects.

  • City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability: The Bureau’s mission is to provide leadership and contribute practical solutions to ensure a prosperous community where people and nature thrive, now and in the future. This site is an essential clearinghouse for jobs, citizen and stakeholder advisory groups, and sustainability tours and classes. The website also includes comprehensive information on subjects such as local climate policy, zoning regulations, and Portland’s evolving waste management and recycling laws. Read more about green job creation in the BPS Strategic Plan.
  • Oregon Department of Energy Sustainability page: Communicates developments in Oregon state government and connects you with local agencies, organizations and businesses taking leadership roles in sustainable development.

  • Oregon Department of Environmental Quality: Not just the agency that smog checks your car, the DEQ oversees Oregon’s ongoing commitment to improve the quality of our air, land, and water, as well as providing a home for the state’s action plan on climate change. This is the department you should get familiar with to understand Oregon’s environmental stewardship plans and participate in the public regulatory process.

Books, publications, and podcasts

These books and pubs are geared toward practical information about green job fields and specific occupations. We recommend getting familiar with the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to supplement your search with the most updated information on job growth opportunities in these emerging fields. The podcasts, we just threw those in to keep you energized and engaged with your purpose.

  • Global Environmental Careers: The Worldwide Green Jobs Resource by Justin Taberham (2021) This ultra-current perspective on joining the green economy across several critical fields takes both a global and practical approach. Identify key areas of focus during the climate crisis age, from water resource management and marine conservation, to corporate accountability and emerging sectors.

  • Green Careers: Choosing Work for a Sustainable Future by Jim Cassio and Alice Rush (2009) This still-relevant book offers clear and concise information about the rapidly evolving green economy and environmental jobs, including where the green jobs are, comprehensive info on hundreds of occupations across multiple U.S. Department of Education career clusters, more than 60 case studies and interviews with “real people” working in green jobs, and profiles of green entrepreneurs.
  • Green Careers Resource Guide (PDF) by Jim Cassio (2009)
    The abridged, free e-book download of Cassio and Alice Rush’s book, available at Colorado College dot edu. It includes over 70 green job titles across 16 career clusters, with job descriptions and information on the career pathways and the time it takes to train for each role. When paired with a current search of the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, this resource guide is invaluable in building an environmental career path.

  • Earth dot Org’s 20 Best Environmental Podcasts: Stay current on sustainability issues with these 20 podcasts profiled by Earth dot Org.

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