Sustainability Jobs in the United States

Sustainability Jobs Overview

Preserving the environment is key to our future—it’s the source of our health, well-being, water, and food. If you want to play a role in the essential work of conserving and nurturing natural resources, consider looking for sustainability jobs.

There are many ways to make an impact if you want a job in sustainability. You can work in the public or private sector, and in everything from entry-level to management jobs. These are some examples of jobs in sustainability:

• air quality engineer: Air quality engineers develop technology to analyze and control air pollution.
• energy engineer: Energy engineers develop new sources of energy or new ways to increase energy efficiency.
• solar power technician: Solar power technicians install, maintain, and repair solar systems.
• researcher: Researchers work in academia conducting scientific studies, and for government agencies and non-profit organizations investigating environmental concerns.
• environmental scientist: Environmental scientists conduct research related to sustainability.
• environmental analyst: Environmental analysts research the environment, by gathering samples and collecting data. They often work for government agencies investigating climate change and other environmental concerns.
• urban planner: Urban planners, also called city planners, review and develop land use plans. Planners specializing in sustainability help plan more environmentally friendly solutions such as sustainable transportation.
• wind turbine technician: Wind turbine technicians install, maintain, and repair wind power turbines.
• environmental engineer: Environmental engineers develop solutions to environmental problems such as waste disposal and air pollution.
• environmental attorney: Environmental attorneys manage lawsuits related to environmental concerns. They also serve as experts in environmental trials and offer guidance on environmental laws to stakeholders.

How Much Do Sustainability Jobs Pay?

Salaries for jobs in sustainability vary depending on the profession. Use Monster’s salary tools to find out the average salary for your desired job title in different locations. Here are some examples of median nationwide salaries for jobs related to sustainability:

• energy sustainability engineer: $72,717 a year
• sustainability specialist: $79,198 a year
• environmental technician: $18.56 an hour

How to Find the Sustainability Job That Fits You

You’ll have lots of choices when deciding between different sustainability jobs. This vast field encompasses jobs in public service and at non-profit organizations and corporations. These are some factors to consider when choosing a job:

• The setting: In some jobs, you’ll spend a lot of time outdoors. Depending on your location and preferences, this could be an advantage or an inconvenience. Many skilled trades jobs are primary outdoors, such as solar power and wind power technicians. Other jobs that often include outdoor time are researcher and environmental analyst.
• The workplace: Corporations sometimes face a tradeoff between financial goals and sustainability. Working for a non-profit organization or government agency can give you a more direct way to work towards environmental goals without this compromise.
• Career goals: Some career paths have more opportunities for career growth than others. If you want to advance to senior leadership positions, consider jobs in corporate strategy or public policy.
• Workplace culture: Each workplace has its own culture. Make sure that your values align with the employer’s by researching them before you apply. If sustainability is important to you, research the employer’s reputation in the field. There are many tools you can use for this, including the S&P sustainability and climate indices.

How to Apply to Sustainability Jobs

The easiest way to find sustainable jobs is to search by relevant job titles. Once you find open positions, follow the instructions for how to apply, whether it’s through an online portal, email, or submitting the application right here on Monster.

What to Include in Your Resume and Cover Letter

Most green employers will expect you to describe why sustainability is important to you in your job application. Try adding a resume summary that explains your motivations and interests or discuss it in the introduction to your cover letter. But one thing you should not recycle? Your application. Customize it to each prospective employer for best results.

While you should tweak the resume and cover letter depending on the job, there are key elements that you should always include. These are some essential ones:

• Accomplishments at past jobs: You’ll need to include some job responsibilities, but ideally your resume and cover letter focus more on results. Illustrate these with specific numbers.
• Relevant skills: Don’t include a laundry list of all the skills you’ve acquired throughout the years—include those relevant to the job you’re applying for.
• Your interest in the job: Don’t forget to mention why you’re applying to the job: What interests you about the employer and the job specifically?

Read our sample cover letters and resume samples for more tips on what you should include to make your job application stand out.

Get Expert Help With Your Job Application

Sign up with Monster’s Professional Resume Writing Services to get expert help improving your resume. A writer familiar with your industry will create a unique resume based on your background. The resume will include common keywords for your job title to help the resume pass screening software and into the hands of a hiring manager or recruiter.

Sustain Your Job Search With Monster

Job hunting can be time-consuming. Conserve your resources by letting Monster help. Start by creating a profile. Upload your resume and make it visible to recruiters to increase your chances of finding a job sooner. You can also sign up for notifications when employers post new sustainability jobs so that you don’t miss any career opportunities.

How to Follow up With an Employer

Following up on a job application can help to move it forward. Since you’re likely to (and should) apply to multiple jobs, keeping contact information in a spreadsheet can help you stay organized. Include the date you submitted the application, when you followed up, when you interviewed, etc.

Get in touch if you haven’t heard anything back from the employer within 1-2 weeks. However, if the ad says no phone calls or emails, following up is likely to work against you instead. However, this language doesn’t necessarily refer to post-interview follow-ups. Once you have had an interview, it’s customary to get in touch to say thank you afterwards, unless the interviewer specifically asks you not to.

What should you say when you follow up on a job application? Find some tips in this article on how to get the job interview.

Interviewing for a Sustainable Job

A well-written application and follow-up can get you the interview, but it’s the interview that gets you the job. Being prepared for a job interview is one of the most important things you can do to get the job you want. These are some keys steps you should take to prepare:

• Think of anecdotes in the form of work scenarios where you excelled. Use the STAR method to tell them.
• Research the employer to come up with relevant questions and to determine what to wear to your interview.
• Find out the names of the people you’ll be interviewing with, if a recruiter or hiring manager set the interview up.
• Test your equipment if the interview will be virtual.
• Bring a copy of your resume if you’re interviewing in person.

Interview Questions for Sustainability Jobs

The next step is to prepare both for traditional interview questions and questions specific to your field. These are some examples of potential interview questions you might encounter:

• What are the pillars of sustainability?
• What does sustainability mean to you?
• What do you do in your free time to help the environment?

Sustainability Career Paths

Most jobs in this sector will require at least a bachelor's degree. For some jobs you’ll need a master’s or Ph. D. The field you should study will vary depending on where you want your career to go. These are some common career paths for sustainability jobs:

• Engineering: An engineering degree can land you a technical job, such as in renewable energy, low-emission vehicles, or sustainable houses. To build a career in engineering, consider specializing in environmental engineering, air quality engineering, or energy engineering.
• Public policy: By specializing in public policy, you can work for a government agency creating and enforcing public policies, or for an environmental agency or non-profit organization advocating for more environmental regulations.
• Sustainable planning: With a degree in urban planning, environmental design, or a related field, you can become an urban planner or regional planner.
• Environmental science: With a degree in environmental science or a related field, you’ll be ready for a job as an environmental scientist, environmental analyst, or researcher.
• Skilled trades: Skilled tradespeople have a certificate or degree in a specific trade. Common sustainable jobs for skilled workers include installing, maintaining, and repairing solar power and wind power equipment. You can also work in a factory or manufacturing plant.

Leadership Positions in Sustainability

If you want to climb the career ladder, advance step-by-step to more senior positions managing other team members. With leadership experience and expertise in sustainability, you can advance to a corporate leadership position such as:

• sustainability director
• corporate social responsibility director
• chief sustainability officer
• sustainability manager

Senior jobs within government include leadership jobs at the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of the Federal Chief Sustainability Officer, and at the city, county, and state level.

You need to be organized with great attention to detail to be successful in these careers. Many of these jobs combine social and natural science, so it’s an advantage if you’re knowledgeable about both.

Similar Occupations to Sustainability Jobs

These are some other jobs that may interest you:

• political consultant jobs
• sociology jobs
• toxicologist jobs