Green Gigs: February 2009

Is it a Green Gig?

I usually pose this question to my husband, since he is typically the one sitting next to me while I put together green job listings, but this time I’m going to ask you: Is this a green gig?

Since I take a Zen approach to selecting jobs to list on Green Gigs (i.e. – I am not a bot which lists any job with given keywords, I personally decide on each listing) I often come across ads that may be green and have to make a judgment call. For example, I considered adding the ad below to the February 24, 2009 Green Job Listings but decided against it. Here was my thought process:

Pros: Bikes are green. We should ride bikes more. More bikes = less cars = less greenhouse gases = less global warming = green gig.

Cons: No where in the ad does it state anything about promoting the eco-friendly aspects of bicycling.

So, is this job listing a green gig? Share your thoughts in the comments – it will help me decide which jobs to list!

Magazine Launching, writers wanted (Denver/anywhere)
A new bicycle feature magazine launching this summer is looking for freelance writers to write articles of interest for cruiser bicycle enthusiasts. We're looking for well-written cruiser bike reviews, store profiles, gear write-ups, and other feature stories of interest to our readers. If you happen to be an avid bicycle rider and have some decent writing skills (and can also take some decent photos), we'd like to hear from you! Any industry experience is also a plus. This is an ongoing, paid gig with some great perks as well. For more information, drop us an email and let us know about your riding (and writing) experience. Please send two samples and your contact information (website address if you have one) and any other pertinent information that you think might assist us in choosing you to write for our magazine. One addition to this post: Writers must have a sense of humor, and edge, and be able to show it thorough their writing skills. This is a requirement. No fluff, just good stuff.

7 Green Careers from Home

Green Gigs passed the six month mark this week and it got me thinking about the types of jobs listed here. There are certain kinds of jobs that have turned up steadily since I launched Green Gigs. On a whole, there are more home-based contract eco-jobs than part-time or full-time work, but that is not to say there are not permanent jobs available. The thing I find true is that across the spectrum, there are green jobs to be had in almost any career field. Hopefully we are on the verge of a new “green economy” and more green jobs will be created in the near future.

Here are my non-empirical observations of the types of green home-based jobs that are most frequently listed. Please feel free to share your observations in the comments. We will see what trends the next six months bring!

1) Writer – Freelance writing is a competitive business, but with the push for everything green, more and more opportunities are showing up for green writers. While there are certainly well-paying green writing gigs out there, many people devalue the art of writing and pay very little (or nothing!) for it. There has been an increase in the number of environmental grant writing gigs – although they are typically commission-based, if you are a skilled grant writer, there is work to be had.

2) Sales and Marketing – There are always home-based green sales gigs – many of them I do not list because it is difficult to tell the scams from the legitimate gigs. However, there are certainly legitimate, eco-friendly, low-cost direct sales companies out there for those looking to sell green products from home. In addition, there are opportunities selling advertising and marketing for green companies – many of these are commission only, but there are full and part-time gigs out there that come with a base salary or an hourly rate in addition to commission.

3) Analyst – “Analyst” is a broad term, but it turns up frequently with companies looking for science, techie, and business geeks to help crunch data and see what it all means. Although home-based analyst positions are less prevalent than other types of green gigs, they do tend to be offer more long-term or permanent work options.

4) Assistant – As companies look for ways to save money, more are turning to virtual assistants for help – including eco-friendly companies who in particular, recognize the environmental impacts of commuting. Virtual Assistant gigs can range from contract, to part-time, to full-time and duties are just as wide ranging. Also look for terms similar to “operations associate” if interested in assistant work.

5) Designer – There are always listings for graphic designers ranging from small logo designs to entire website designs. As more and more companies try to take advantage of the green movement, more and more graphic design work becomes available. The downside is many home-based graphic designer gigs are similar to writing gigs, low-paying and competitive – although there are certainly companies serious about their image willing to invest in quality design work. For those interested in graphic design work, keep an eye out for the green bid madness posts – they tend to list available projects.

6) Programmer – Okay, here I am over my head, I just know that I list programming jobs that are related to companies doing environmental work! Once again, there are contract, part-time, and full-time programming gigs out there and there are opportunities to work from home – at least on a partial basis.

7) Ecopreneur - Why not follow your passion and make a go of it on your own? Many job listings are by start-ups looking for help – maybe you have the next BIG green idea and now may be the time to go for it yourself!

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Green Job Listings - Feb. 26, 2009

If you missed my interview with Glenn Croston, author of 75 Green Businesses You Can Start to Make Money and Make a Difference, be sure to give it a read - there is some great advice for those contemplating embarking on green entrepreneurial careers. Are you brave enough to go it on your own and start your own green business? Let us know in the comments. For those of you looking to work for someone other than yourselves, here are today's green gigs. Pardon the lack of company info and pay, I am late getting these up and trying to get the jobs posted! Best of luck.

Jobs have expired. Please see our home page for new gigs.

Profiles in Green Careers: Entrepreneur

Many of us have thought it: I have the next great idea for a green business! But, how realistic is embarking on a green entrepreneurial career in the current economy? Perhaps it is more reasonable then not. This edition of “Profiles in Green Careers” features Glenn Croston, author of 75 Green Businesses You Can Start to Make Money and Make a Difference and founder of Starting Up Green. Glenn writes about green business opportunities in Renewable Energy World, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and TheStreet.com and is working on his new book, How to Start a Green Business.

Green Gigs: Are there any types of green entrepreneurial businesses doing particularly well in the current economy?
Glenn Croston: You bet. Companies that help people save money are still doing well, better than ever. For example, businesses that help people make their homes more energy efficient, like Sustainable Spaces in San Francisco. Another winning category is going to be businesses in renewable energy, driven in part by increased government support in the stimulus bill passed this month (February 2009). This will help solar installers, manufacturers, distributors, and a range of related businesses to grow rapidly in the months ahead. There will be a need for training, marketing, and other support, for example.

Another winning business field right now is low cost opportunities in direct sales, with organizations like Green Irene, Zola Goods, and Emagine Green. More and more people are interested in going green but lack the information and the actions needed to do it on their own. These companies bring information and products to the people rather than waiting for people to come to the products. These opportunities cost very little for people to get started with, the companies provide a great deal of support, and they plug into a great opportunity

One huge trend going on right now is the shift from the consumer economy to the “Conserver Economy”, with people saving more, wasting less and thinking more about the long term in response to our current economic crisis. While some businesses pull back, there are opportunities right now to respond to this situation and not just survive but thrive. For example, thrift shops, repairing old clothing, ridesharing, and toy swapping all help people save money, and are good for the environment because we are getting more use out of resources we already have.

GG: What do you see as the greatest challenges facing green entrepreneurs?
GC: One of the challenges for the whole field is getting a clearer idea about what green really is. Using certification standards where they are available can help. The more that the uncertainty around this is removed, the more that concern about greenwashing can be avoided.

Another challenge is showing people how going green is relevant for them. There are a core group of green consumers who value the environment very highly, above many other things in their lives, and are not too worried about cost. This group includes millions of people, but it is still a relatively small percentage of consumers. A broader group of people do care about the price, and will buy green if it is the icing on the cake, an additional attribute of an already great product. Joel Makower has a lot of great information about this in his latest book.

For mainstream consumers, especially now, I’m not sure if saving polar bears is the best message. These people want to know what green products mean for their bills, their kids, their homes, their health – the things they worry about every day.

GG: Given the state of the economy, is it wise to begin an entrepreneurial green career at the moment? Or, with the recent push for all things “green”, is this translating into viable opportunities for green entrepreneurs?
GC: Now is probably the best time. There are not a lot of business areas with the same opportunities to be found in fields like energy efficiency and renewable energy right now. And what is happening so far is just scratching the surface. There is no guarantee that every business will make it, but the good ones should do very well.

GG: What advice would you pass along to anyone interested in embarking on a green entrepreneurial opportunity?
GC: Don’t forget about the business fundamentals. The triple bottom line still includes profit as one of the three ‘p’s. Many people have an idea for a great product, but don’t translate this into a plan for a great business. For product to make it, and for you to make it, you’ll have to pay attention to some of the same issues everyone else does in their business, like marketing and business planning.

Thank you to Glenn Croston for sharing your expertise with us! If you are considering starting a green business, consider visiting Glenn’s website, Starting Up Green or reading his book, 75 Green Businesses You Can Start to Make Money and Make a Difference, available at Borders, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. You can also download a free chapter of 75 Green Businesses by signing-up for the Starting Up Green newsletter.

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Green Bid Madness - Feb. 25, 2009

For those of you with creative streaks, We The Paper is offering their Spring Things Challenge: projects must be spring themed and "use no less than 1 recycled or non traditional craft item that integrates eco-paper or recycled paper". Deadline is April 1, 2009 and yes, there are prizes! For the rest of you, here are this week's bidding projects.

Sorry, these gigs have been filled. But Green Gigs still lists new jobs!

Green Job Listings - Feb. 24, 2009

Here are today's gigs up for grabs. Also, for the writers and educators out there, one of my favorite job boards, Writing for the Education Market is up and running again. I have had decent success writing and reviewing science and math content for educational projects, so consider taking a look if you are a subject matter expert of some kind. Also, be sure not to let your job search get the best of you - read Morgan's article, "5 Suggestions to Keep You and Your Job Search Sustainable". Rock on green friends.

Visit Green Gigs for new listings!

5 Suggestions to Keep You and Your Job Search Sustainable

by Morgan O’Donnell - Red Raven Circling

Is the job search wearing you down? Do you feel frustrated, looking day after day only to find no good leads? Or maybe, like me, you’ve followed some leads only to discover a scam or that you didn’t quite make the cut for whatever reason? It can be tough to keep going, to keep your spirits up. As a fellow job searcher, I’d like to share with you some of the things I do to keep both myself and my job search going.

1. Take a break. I currently work all day, come home, eat dinner, and chat a few minutes with my family. Then I start my second shift, looking for a new job. I check the various job boards, research new companies, send emails, craft cover letters, and more. That routine can get old pretty quick, especially if I don’t take any time for me. So, I try to make sure that I take at least one night or day off per week. Plus, you can keep it relatively inexpensive, depending on what you do.It could be something as simple as watching a favorite television show with my hubby after dinner (free). Or, it might be deciding to spend an entire day without doing anything job search related. For example, last weekend my hubby and I did all of our chores on Saturday. That way all of Sunday was ours to do as we pleased. We started with a leisurely morning of coffee and the newspaper ($1.50) and then headed out for a guided nature walk at Connemara Meadow Preserve (free except for gas to get there). Finally, we wrapped up the day with dinner at one of our favorite restaurants ($25 for two, plus leftovers for an additional two meals).

2. Exercise. I know, I know...everyone suggests exercise for everything, but that’s because it truly is beneficial. Since I spend most of my day at a computer then come home and spend even more time there for my job search, getting up and moving is definitely something I need. Recently, I was fortunate enough to work out a deal with my boss where we take turns coming in a bit late so that we can walk in the mornings. Typically, I get in 3-4 walks per week since I also aim for at least one walk during the weekend . Not only does it get my blood pumping in the morning, but I am in a better mood both from the exercise and hearing the birds sing. Best of all, walking is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to get a little exercise.

3. Read a book/magazine. The main idea behind this suggestion is to get away from the computer. It is completely up to you what you want to read. I’m currently reading Orion magazine. It keeps me up with what is going on in sustainability/green/social issues and in the back is a section about various grassroots organizations. I have also borrowed books from the library on job skills that I wanted to brush up on or learn more about such as new media practices.

4. Volunteer. Volunteering can get you away from the daily frustrations of the job search, as well as help you network, learn new skills, and give back to the community. Who knows, it might even lead to a job down the road. However, don’t just volunteer for any organization. Spend a little time thinking about where you want to donate your time and skills. Make sure it’s a good fit for both you and the organization. I share my time with my local Toastmasters club as a mentor for new members. I help them learn about how Toastmasters works, prepare for speeches, and serve as a sounding board. In return, I get to give back to the club, which has supported me over the years while sharing in the enthusiasm of a new member. Not to mention the friendships I’ve made!

5. Try a career/personal coach. I will be the first to admit that in the past I would have been skeptical of this suggestion. After all, what the heck is a personal coach and what does she or he do? The short answer is a personal/career coach is an objective party who can help you focus on your goals and strategies to reach those goals. I met my coach in a roundabout way and then kind of slipped into an informal arrangement. Talking with her has not only tightened the focus on my goals, but it has helped me improve my outlook. If you want to hear more about my experience with a personal coach, stop by Red Raven Circling on Wednesday, March 25th when I will talk more in depth about it.

A career placement specialist once told me that searching for a job is a full-time job. Not only is it a full-time job, but in the current economic situation it is quite stressful as well. I hope that trying a few of these suggestions will make you and your job search not just sustainable, but successful as well. Happy job hunting Green Gigs readers!

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Green Gigs Welcomes Contributing Writer

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Green Gigs Welcomes Contributing Writer

I am truly thrilled to introduce Morgan O'Donnell to you as a Green Gigs contributing writer! You may remember Morgan from her guest post, The Search for a Sustainable Occupation, here a few weeks ago. Morgan is a talented writer who brings a job seeker’s perspective to Green Gigs.

Morgan has held a variety of jobs from Russian linguist for the Army to taxi driver to external affairs coordinator, but for the last several years most of her work has been in public relations/outreach. A writer and poet, Morgan previously worked as a paid blogger at GreenZone Online where she used humor and a light-hearted approach to explore eco-issues. She has also published essays and poetry in the Stars and Stripes newspaper, Army Times, Red River Review, Potomac Review, Amarillo Bay, and more. You can follow her musings on nature, poetry, writing, and the search for a sustainable life at her blog, Red Raven Circling.

So please, help welcome Morgan to Green Gigs! She will be contributing from time to time, so keep an eye out for her byline - starting on Monday!

Win a $200,000 Grant from Green Mountain Coffee

Green Mountain Coffee is awarding four $200,000 grants to help support work that combats climate change. There are four categories available and one grant will be awarded for each category: Threats to Coffee-Growing Communities, Transportation-Related Emissions, Building Political Will, and Empowering Individual Action. Grants will be paid over five years.

If you think you have THE idea to help offset global warming in one of these divisions, head over to JustMeans to submit your concept. After you submit your idea, you will receive a link to the full application for submission to Green Mountain Coffee. All entries must be received by March 21, 2009 and submitted ideas are listed on JustMeans for public voting. After you are done looking for your perfect home-based green job here, why not submit a proposal - you just may have the next BIG idea!

Be sure to come back and leave a comment below letting us know you entered and your idea. Let's help support Green Gigs readers who enter by voting for them!

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Green Job Listings - Feb. 20, 2009

Happy Friday! Here are today's green job leads to keep you busy with the resumes over the weekend. Today brings opportunities for green sales gurus, writers, techies, an attorney and more. If you happen to land a green gig, be sure to come back and tell us your good news - success stories help keep us all going these days! Be sure to check out my list of the "101 Best Twitter Feed for Job Hunters" to help you along in your green job search.

Please visit Green Gigs for new listings!

101 Best Twitter Feeds for Job Hunters

Loyal Green Gigs readers know I have been on a mission to get them tweeting and to use it to their job hunting advantage. Well here you go folks, if my encouragement wasn't enough to get you to grab a Twitter account, then here are 101 other reasons to tweet (well maybe 100, I added Green Gigs as #101!). I have compiled a list of my favorite job tweeters - some tweet job listings, some are industry specific, some offer career advice, a few are recruiters, some are direct company listings, and others re-tweet or link to relevant articles for job hunters. There are hundreds (if not more!) of other great job tweeters out there, but I looked at the quality of the tweets over the blog or website they represent. The list is numbered, but not in any order of preference (after #1!).

Feel free to add your favorite job tweeters in the comments and see you in Twitterland!

1) jobshouts
2) JobAngels
3) alisondoyle
4) sweetcareers
5) employeefactor
6) coolworks
7) chrisrussell
8) SimplyHired
9) DailyCareerTips
10) smartbriefjobs
11) onlineresume
12) WorkForceFifty
13) GreatPlaceJobs
14) Joblighted
15) USDOL
16) RecruitingTruth
17) career_search
18) thehiringsite
19) jobhuntorg
20) CareerHelp
21) indeed
22) ejobfairs
23) JobsBoston
24) mediabistro
25) careerdiva
26) AndreaSantiago
27) GLHoffman
28) brandyourself
29) JobSnob
30) peterclayton
31) linkup
32) KeppieCareers
33) jobnob
34) RedWire
35) danschawbel
36) dreamjob
37) heathermundell
38) acareerathca
39) JobsatIntel
40) AmandaGaspard
41) roxanneravenel
42) TalentSynch
43) greenforall
44) Careerguide_com
45) ECOrecruiters
46) greenerjobs
47) PRjobs
48) GreenEconomyNet
49) Job_Security
50) idealist_org
51) AimeeLena
52) TiffanyPR
53) HRSearchPros
54) Barry_at_Impact
55) 1984Jobs
56) wFreelanceJobs
57) ACTORSandCREW
58) designquote
59) narmsjobs
60) visualcv
61) alistsolutions
62) job_searching
63) Glassdoordotcom
64) smartsavvy
65) YouIntern
66) Jobs_at_Volt
67) expressjobs
68) smjobwire
69) sfmobilejobs
70) GetResortJobs
71) wahm_job_leads
72) Web_Design_Jobs
73) employerbrander
74) GetChefJobs
75) GetJanitoriJobs
76) Bizymoms
77) GetFreWritiJobs
78) JobSrchDailyTip
79) JobSeekersEdge
80) carolinajobs
81) Yaaze
82) MrJobsinHubs
83) StevenRothberg
84) CandidatesChair
85) GayleHoward
86) kristid
87) resumeservice
88) Jiibe
89) RickDeare
90) noodleplace
91) Reactionsearch
92) jacobshare
93) careertips
94) careerhero
95) JonathanDuarte
96) CareerTherapist
97) Young_Recruiter
98) workhomexpert
99) GetGeologyJobs
100) DonnaWard
101) greengigs

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Green Bid Madness - Feb. 18, 2009

Here is this week's green summary of the bidding boards, unfortunately, but not surprisingly, they are a little slow. I am a bit late getting the listings up today, so without further ado, go get 'em!

These listings have expired. Please visit our home page for current listings!

Profiles in Green Careers: Public Relations and Marketing

This edition of “Profiles in Green Careers” introduces us to Nikki Krueger, a “green” Public Relations and Marketing specialist. PR and marketing may not jump immediately to mind when one thinks of traditional green careers, however, Nikki is a great example how the combination of professional experience and environmental awareness can be blended to forge a specialized, eco-friendly career. In addition, I was drawn to profiling Nikki (one guess where I met her!)because like many others, she is a casualty of this economy, having been recently down-sized from her job. At a career crossroads, Nikki has chosen to launch her own public relations company, Ink Media Relations and Marketing, specializing in home, health, and green industries.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects career growth opportunities for those in public relations to “grow faster than average,” but tempers that with the condition that competition for entry-level jobs is tough. Those with college degrees in communications or related fields and those who have completed an accreditation program typically have the competitive edge. The median salary for PR specialists in May 2006 was approximately $46,000.

Green Gigs: How long have you worked in this profession?
Nikki Krueger: I have been in the public relations field for 15 years. The last 10 have focused solely on consumer products and the last seven have been in the indoor air quality industry.

GG: What are you job duties? What is your typical workday like?
NK: I was very recently down-sized from Aprilaire, a manufacturer of whole-home indoor air quality products, so my job duties up until about two weeks ago were deciding if I was going to work for someone else again or start my own business. I have decided to start my own public relations/marketing business with a focus on products and services for the home, health and green industries. I have spent 10 years developing solid media relationships in these industries and feel these are the areas I can provide the greatest impact. Right now my days are filled with potential client meetings and working on getting my business up and running. I did land my first two clients last week - I will be handling the media relations for a first-of-its-kind fossil fuel free house (say that fast five times!) and for an innovative HVAC zoning manufacturer, Arzel. I am hoping to work with some sort of renewable energy manufacturer, as I am a huge supporter!

GG: What type of educational background do you need for your career? What professional development courses have you completed and/or licenses have you obtained to further your career?
NK: I have a Bachelors of Arts degree in communications and a minor in marketing from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. In the last year I completed the training and testing to be a green home verifier for the National Association of Home Builders. At the time I did this because I wanted to understand what builders were facing when it came to building green homes and the impact it had on the indoor air quality. I am hoping to complete the remodeler's training when it becomes available and am thinking about completing a course in mold remediation. These are all areas that are of interest to me and in order to represent potential clients effectively I need to understand all the issues affecting their industries.

GG: Does your job lend itself to working from home or is it mainly an office and/or field based career?
NK: I am starting off with a handful of clients and have been working from home. A good friend of mine who owns a green consulting business, has offered me space in her building. I think it will work great, especially when the kids are out of school for the summer.

GG: What advice would you pass along to anyone looking to begin a career in your field?
NK: I was lucky enough to fall into the industry I did, as I never would of pursued anything in the heating and cooling industry. When I look at the importance of indoor air quality and how it affects our lives, I feel very passionate about working with companies that are making a difference. I think to be a public relations professional you have to be passionate about the product, service or mission. How I feel about what I am doing is very clear to the media and people I work with. I truly love what I do and am very excited about the future!

Thank you Nikki Kruger for taking the time to share your thoughts with us – best of luck with your new company! Nikki is working on the launch of business, Ink Media Relations and Marketing, and hopes to have her website live soon. If you would like to contact Nikki, you can email her at nikki.krueger(at)hotmail(dot)com.For more information about pursuing a career in media relations, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics or The Public Relations Society of America.

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Green Job Listings - Feb. 16, 2009

I hope everyone is enjoying this long holiday weekend! I have to ask, are there any frog-loving poets out there? If you, so must visit Save the Frogs and read about their Frog Poetry Contest. Don't laugh, write a kickin' frog poem and not only may you win the admiration of frog fans everywhere, but your poetry may earn a spot in their upcoming frog poetry book, merchandise, t-shirts, posters, and yes, even CASH! Come on this is too good to pass up - raise awareness of threatened frogs (or salamanders, newts, toads, caecilians, or amphibians) and win cash. Be sure to let me know if you win -I will be happy to mention it here. For those not composing amphibian poetry, here are today's telecommuting green job listings.

Opps, these jobs are gone, but visit Green Gigs for new gigs!

ELI Offers Student Writing Competition

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is offering its fourth annual “Endangered Environmental Laws” Student Writing Competition. ELI is a “non-partisan research and education center working to strengthen environmental protection by improving law and governance worldwide.” The writing competition is offered in conjunction with The Environmental Law Institute, The American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, and The National Association of Environmental Law Societies. The competition topic is:

Any topic addressing recent developments or trends in U.S. environmental law that have a significant constitutional or “federalism” component.

Any student currently enrolled in law school is eligible and any relevant article or essay may be submitted, included those written for academic credit. Articles may not have been previously published or slated for publication. The deadline is 5:00 PM EST on April 6, 2009. There are specific formatting rules and other requirements, so be sure to read the complete entry requirements.

Here is the best part: The winning author will receive $2,000 and an offer of publication in the Environmental Law Reporter! That will certainly help with those student loans. Best of luck to those who enter and be sure to pass the word along to any friends who may be eligible.

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Green Job Listings - Feb. 12, 2009

In my continuing quest to convince you to tweet your way to a green job, I would like to introduce you to some of my twitter friends, so you can see some of the eco-cool things they are doing, and perhaps get inspired yourself! Today, I would like you to meet Greetings That Grow. Over at Greetings that Grow, Anna creates beautiful, eco-friendly cards. She combines her stunning photographs with her handmade plantable paper embedded with seeds. Show someone you care, and send them a plantable card that grows with sun, soil, water, and love!

The job boards are a bit quiet today, but here are the online green jobs I found. I am including an "Internship" category as well. Best of luck on your job hunt today, as always, please let them know Green Gigs sent you!

Sorry, these jobs were filled months ago. Visit Green Gigs for new listings!

Tweet Yourself a Green Job

This article is going to be short and sweet. Here is my message:

If you are looking for a green job, be it home-based or onsite, you must be on Twitter.

I only recently joined Twitter and I am still learning the ropes. In fact, I have to give my eco-VA friend Jennifer Smith credit for telling me to get my act in gear and start tweeting. Frankly, as someone who graduated from college before the Web really burst on the scene, I am fairly ignorant when it comes to social media - so joining Twitter was definitely outside my comfort zone. But Jennifer was right, and although I am still learning the ropes, here is why you as a green job hunter need to be tweeting:

1) The majority of jobs are filled though social networking – Twitter is one of the (if not THE) largest social media networking site out there.

2) I have seen series of tweets where a job announcement is made and in a matter of minutes the poster is connected with people interested in the position. The job is never listed.

3) There are some really cool people doing amazing things on Twitter. I constantly come across eco-awesome people and businesses I would have never found otherwise (check out @thepoopoopaper, you know you want to).

If you tweet already, you are ahead of the game, well done! If you don’t tweet, go sign-up for an account NOW. If I can do it, so can you. Hey, you can start by following Green Gigs, be sure to stop by and say hi @greengigs!

Green Bid Madness - Feb. 11, 2009

Here is this week's round-up of green bidding projects available around the Web. I would also like to give another mention that Fashion Takes Action is in need of an event sponsorship salesperson. Best of luck bidding!

Bye, bye, bye expired listings...hello new listings...

Green Job Listings - Feb. 10, 2009

Today's gigs offer a nice selection for writers, sales folks, and techies. As you continue on your search for the perfect online environmental job, consider brushing up on the alphabet soup of letters used in the environmental industry by taking the Green Gigs' Eco-Acronyms Quiz. No fair looking at the answers before you answer yourself!

Very old job listings don't age well. But Green Gigs still lists new listings!

Profiles in Green Careers: Virtual Assistant

This edition of “Profiles in Green Careers” features Jennifer Smith of Eco-Office Gals, a Virtual Assistant (VA). Jennifer has built a doubly-sustainable career by working from home as a VA and by utilizing her VA services to help support eco-friendly businesses, hence the Eco-Office Gals’ motto: “Growing Small Business Green”. According to the International Virtual Assistants Association, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to educating the public about the function of VAs and providing professional development opportunities for VAs, a Virtual Assistant:

… is an independent entrepreneur providing administrative, creative and/or technical services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of communication and data delivery, a professional VA assists clients in his/her area of expertise from his/her own office on a contractual basis.

Working as a VA has many advantages, including working from home, setting your own billing rate and hours, and the opportunity to create your own “niche” business, as with Eco-Office Gals which helps companies become more environmentally-friendly. As with any start-up business, one must expect long hours, spend time building a network of clients, and be prepared for fluctuating income as projects and clients come and go. However, in my non-scientifically backed opinion, building a VA business during these times of environmental awareness and company downsizing, appears to be a smart career choice for those with the fortitude to weather the ups and downs of running their own businesses.

Green Gigs: What are your job duties? What is your typical workday like?
Jennifer Smith: My job duties are to support small businesses in areas best for their business. My typical day includes responding to emails, working on projects to support my clients, spending time blogging and contributing to various social networking sites.

GG: What type of educational background do you need for your career? What professional development courses (if any) have you completed to further your career?
JS: At least High School. Personally, I have an Associates and just a few credits short of a BA. However, there are not degrees for my current field. I learned from experience in the real-world and applied it to my Virtual business. I haven't taken any developmental courses to further my career, but that doesn't mean I don't learn something everyday.

GG: Does your career lend itself to working from home, or is it mainly and office based career?
JS: I work from home, online and via the phone and instant chat 100% of the time. It takes commitment to work from home and knowing how to best spend your time can be a challenge. I can find myself working from 7am - 11pm 7 days a week and wishing I had gotten more done in that time.

GG: What advice would you pass along to anyone looking to become a Virtual Assistant?
JS: Give your business time to grow. If you expect to have a full list of clients overnight, it's just not going to happen! You have to figure out your niche, and educate and market yourself to your ideal clientele. It's not like the real world where you just have to impress one or two managers at an interview. You have to convince the entire online community that you are the 'go-to-gal', it takes many unpaid hours, but the reward is getting awesome clients that you just love working for!

Thank you to Jennifer for taking the time to share your thoughts and advice with us. On a personal note, I have to mention Jennifer has been incredibly helpful to me as I have worked to develop Green Gigs, she is responsive, a great resource, and always available to lend a hand! To learn more about Jennifer and her virtual assistant services, visit her at Eco-Office Gals. If you are interested in learning more about pursuing a career as a Virtual Assistant, consider visiting the International Virtual Assistants Association or the Alliance for Virtual Businesses to get started.

Related Articles:
Profiles in Green Careers: Health & Safety Officer
10 Must Read Articles for Green Job Hunters
How to Telecommute – 5 Tips for Success
The Search for a Sustainable Occupation

"Job Quality in the New Green Economy" - Report Summary

Last week Good Jobs First issued a report, “High Road or Low Road? Job Quality in the New Economy”. The report was commissioned by various organizations including the Sierra Club and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and takes an in-depth look at an assortment of green jobs and workplaces in order to analyze the quality of the jobs. Based upon their research, Good Jobs First issued this cautionary report as expressed in the Executive Summary: “One of the greatest risks is that, in our haste to create a large quantity of new green jobs, we pay too little attention to their quality.”

The report identified several challenges facing us as we launch towards the creation of a green collar economy, including: low pay, offshoring, and hostility toward labor unions. On the flipside, opportunities were also identified, including: decent wages in some green middle-class jobs, particularly where government has mandated labor standards and in municipalities were coalitions of environmentalists, labor leaders, and public officials have worked together to “address environmental degradation and poverty simultaneously”. The report goes on to analyze the opportunities and challenges facing green job creation in manufacturing, construction, waste management, and freight transportation.

The question is: Should “green jobs” be solely defined as those that “serve an environmental purpose” or should they also meet minimum labor standards? For example, the report identified the loss of 6 million manufacturing jobs in the U.S. over the last 30 years, a traditional route out of poverty and into the middle-class for many workers. Solar and wind energy manufacturing plants have the potential to restore some of these lost jobs, but without labor standards, many of these jobs currently offer wages that fall below cost-of-living benchmarks. With government subsidies on the table, it must be decided how the money should be spent: “Will we invest public dollars in the creation of family-supporting jobs that provide good wages, benefits, and long-term economic security? Or will we allow recipients of subsidies to take the employment low road?”

Ultimately, the report urges government intervention to ensure the creation of quality green jobs, “Green jobs are not automatically good jobs. We have to make them so.” Anyone seriously interested in spurring creation of green jobs in America should read this report. I retroactively add this to my article, “10 Must Read Articles for Green Job Hunters”, now making the count 11 must read articles.

The ABC’s of Eco-Acronyms Quiz

As a green job hunter you will inevitably run across environmental acronyms. Let’s face it, eco-friendly jobs often come with scientists attached, and next to government agencies, scientists are probably the most enthusiastic fans of acronyms. In order to help prep for your job search, interviews, and employment, Green Gigs has developed this eco-acronym quiz so you will be prepared for any letter combination thrown at you during your job hunt. Best of luck!

1) There is AA, and then there is AA. Which of the following defines AA in terms of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards?
a) ambient air
b) attainment area
c) asbestos abatement
d) American Airlines

2) Based upon the _____ concentrations established by the _____, BillyBob decided to get the heck out of the containment area.
a) NIOSH…NASA
b) MSDS…EPA
c) PEL…OSHA
d) LEED…NOAA

3) Unscramble the following letters that represent the required training of all employees that come in contact with hazardous wastes, as mandated by OSHA and the EPA.
POWZAREH

4) True or False: LEED stands for “Local Environmental Emergency Department”.

5) Hidden in the following series of letters is the acronym that represents a nasty organic compound banned in the 1970s. What is the acronym?
MLNIOSEPCBALBPO

6) LUST isn’t always a good thing. As an eco-acronym LUST means:
a) leaking underground storage tank
b) lowest underground saturation threshold
c) liquid underground solvent technology
d) limited underground suspended toxins

7) True or False: You should lawyer up if you are named as a PRP for a TCE release.

8) Fill-in-the-blank: Not sure if the substance your employer asks you to use is safe? Better ask to read the ____.

How did you do? If you think you are an eco-acronym guru, feel free to share your answers in the comments. Official answers and scoring guide will be posted in the comments on Monday.

Related Articles:
Profiles in Green Careers: Health & Safety Officer
10 Must Read Articles for Green Job Hunters
How to Telecommute - 5 Tips for Success

Green Job Listings - Feb. 6, 2009

Happy Friday everyone! Once again, I must thank Morgan O’Donnell for sharing her article "The Search for a Sustainable Occupation" with Green Gigs. If you missed her guest post yesterday, be sure to give it a read. Unfortunately green doesn't always mean ethical, but that doesn't mean we can't find some humor in our own searches for the ultimate green job. I encourage you to share you green job hunting experiences in the comments - I have certainly run into some similar situations as Morgan as well! Here are today's job listings, I hope one of them turns into your dream sustainable career. As always, please tell them Green Gigs sent you!
Sorry, these listings have expired. Visit Green Gigs for new ones!

The Search for a Sustainable Occupation – Part II

Guest Post by By Morgan O’Donnell © 2009 - Red Raven Circling

Green ≠ Ethical

As shocking as this may seem it is also true…green does not always equal ethical. I discovered this for myself not so long ago.

It all started as I skipped merrily into my search for a sustainable job, blithely believing that anyone associated with green or environmental jobs or organizations was honest and ethical. Part way into the forest, while I was admiring an interesting little bird – whack! I ran smack dab into the tree of truth!

Lesson 1. The Not-Quite-Fit Job

I found a unique and exciting job possibility right here at Green Gigs and quickly inquired about the position. I say inquired rather than applied to because the original posting was on Craigslist and I tend to be more cautious about those listings. Anyhow, the owner/employer replied back and provided enough information and links that I was reassured this was a legitimate business. He proceeded to ask me for my resume and samples and asked a few other questions via email.

Now this position—while it dealt with public relations/outreach—wasn’t something with which I had had a lot of direct experience. Nonetheless, I was very interested as well as intrigued by the company and decided to give it a shot. I highlighted some of my strengths, which I felt could compensate for my lack of experience in other areas. I got a positive response that he wanted to talk with me! I was excited and did my happy green dance.

Then it seemed as if the stars moved out of alignment. There were numerous missed phone calls, voice messages, and emails as we struggled to connect. The time difference didn’t help either. Finally, everything fell into place and we connected. The conversation started out friendly and he complimented me quite nicely on some of my samples. However, he then went on to point out what were—in his opinion—various mistakes and lack of experience on my part. After about ten minutes of this, I was wondering why he had even bothered to call me if he thought I was so inexperienced and unskilled.

That’s when it happened! That’s when he pitched the idea that if I really was interested in making a career change and getting my foot in the door, I might consider working on a few projects for free! Like, maybe, I could be an apprentice or intern!

I politely ended the call, saying that I didn’t think it was a good fit, but I was seething inside. I may not have had the exact experience he wanted or thought he needed, but I am no fresh college graduate. My skills, knowledge, and time are valuable.

Lesson 2 The Dream Job

Back to the drawing board. I found another job and this one sounded like a perfect fit with my background, connections, and skills. Excitedly, I went to work, carefully crafting my cover letter and resume so that it was specifically tailored to this position and company. After a couple of days of hard work revising and proofing, it was finally ready and I hit the send button.
Only a few days later I opened my inbox to discover an email telling me that out of a bajillion applicants I had been selected for the next round of the application process.

I jumped up and did my green happy dance before calming down enough to read the rest of the email. Because of the nature of the position, the number of applicants, and the fact that it was a telecommuting position, they wanted the applicants to outline a six-month plan. Hmmm. My spidey sense tingled a tiny bit, but I said, “Shut up Spidey Sense! This is my chance at my green dream job!”

So I sat down and thought and researched and wrote. Then I thought some more, agonized, drank some coffee, rewrote, and went to bed. I followed this pattern for a couple of days until the deadline shadow loomed over my keyboard. Finally, I polished it off and holding my breath, hit the send button. A mere two days later I was informed that there had now been 2 bajillion applicants and that while my plan was good I had not been selected for the next round. I thought, “What is this Green Idol?” Additionally, they hoped that I had benefitted from crafting this plan and that it would be a useful experience for me on my job search.

What?!? Experience smerience! I put my time, energy, and possibly a little blood (I accidentally poked my finger with a paperclip during one of my agonizing brainstorms.) into that plan. Now they have all these great ideas and I have nothing. NOTHING! Well, that’s not exactly true. I did learn a valuable lesson—if your spidey sense tingles, listen to it. Also, I did get this blog post out of the deal.

Lesson 3 Disclosure and Summary

Now, to be honest, I have obviously exaggerated a tad to make this a wee bit more interesting. Clearly, there is no such number as a bajillion. Additionally, in the first lesson, I felt that there were some regional differences in our communication, which may have exacerbated things. In Lesson 2, I have to admit that my tingle caused me to hold back somewhat on creating the plan. Some areas were vague because part of me was worried that I was being scammed. Perhaps they saw the vagueness as a lack of focus or skill. Anyhow, I’ve learned to be more cautious, not assume that green means we share the same ethical standards, and that communication, especially online, isn’t perfect. However, it hasn’t stopped me from looking for and applying to green jobs. I know that my sustainable dream job is out there somewhere.

Morgan O’Donnell has held a variety of jobs from Russian linguist for the Army to taxi driver to external affairs coordinator, but for the last several years most of her work has been in public relations/outreach. A writer and poet, Morgan previously worked as a paid blogger at GreenZone Online where she used humor and a light-hearted approach to explore eco-issues. She has also published essays and poetry in the Stars and Stripes newspaper, Army Times, Red River Review, Potomac Review, Amarillo Bay, and more. You can follow her musings on nature, poetry, writing, and the search for a sustainable life at Red Raven Circling.

Thank you Morgan for sharing your article with Green Gigs. Be sure to visit Red Raven Circling and read "The Search for a Sustainable Occupation - Part I".

Green Bid Madness - Feb. 4, 2009

Here is this week's round-up of green projects up for grabs on the bidding sites. Several of these listings expire within the next few days, so be sure to get your bids in on time. Best of luck!

Sorry, these listings were filled long, long, ago. But, please visit our home page for new gigs!

Green Job Listings - Feb. 3, 2009

Today brings mainly green writing opportunities, although there are a couple leads for the non-writers out there as well. As always, writers, please be mindful that you don't provide "free" content for any disreputable folks out there, particularly with those craigslist ads! Better yet, check back here later this week and read Morgan O’Donnell's (Red Raven Circling) humorous guest post about her run-ins with some non-so-ethical "green employers".

Visit Green Gigs for new listings!

Profiles in Green Careers: Health & Safety Officer

Today Green Gigs is kicking-off a new series of articles, “Profiles in Green Careers”. Each edition will profile a green occupation and someone who works in that profession. I chose to start close-to-home by asking my sister-in-law Lisa, the Health & Safety Officer at a large environmental consulting firm, to share her thoughts on her career.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Health & Safety Professionals “help prevent harm to workers, property, the environment, and the general public”. A large variety of private and public employers have safety specialists on staff, including, but not limited to: environmental consulting firms, manufacturing plants, government agencies, insurance companies, and laboratories. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an “average” employment growth for the field of about 9% over the next decade and places the median annual salary for safety specialists at approximately $55,000.

Green Gigs: How long have you worked in this profession?
Lisa: I have worked in the environmental profession for approximately 10 years. I worked as an organic chemist for 7- 8 years for an environmental testing laboratory which analyzed for toxic contaminants in drinking water, waste water, soils, sludges, and air. Clientele consisted mostly of environmental consultants, municipalities, and private homeowners. I took a hiatus for a period of time from the whirlwind environmental field and performed numerous part time jobs here and there in order to raise my 2 children. I now work as the Local Health and Safety Officer for a global environmental consultant company.

Green Gigs: What are your job duties?
Lisa: To ensure the safety of all of the personnel within my two offices when they are both in the office working and onsite. To maintain the documentation necessary for compliance with HSSE (health, safety, security, and environment) for my company.

Green Gigs: What is your typical workday like?
Lisa: My workday begins at 7:00am, and is different every day. One day I can be onsite overseeing an underground storage tank removal, the next I will be in the office training a new hire, the next day writing a Phase I Report, and even the next day onsite responding to an ER (emergency response). I plan for my week on Monday, and by 11:00 am Monday morning, my entire schedule has changed. It is a very dynamic career.

Green Gigs: What type of educational background to you need for your career?
Lisa: Minimum requirements to work as a professional staff for an Environmental Consultant is a Bachelor of Science in a related field, however there are field staff positions available which do not require a degree. In additional, I have 40 hour OSHA, 8 hour OSHA supervisor, CPR/AED, First Aid, API (American Petroleum Institute) certification, and am also LPS (Loss Prevention System) certified and have individual client safety certification as well.

Green Gigs: Does your career lends itself to working from home, or is it mainly an office and/or field based career?
Lisa: It is mainly an office/field career, mainly because my job requirement is to ensure the safety of personnel onsite. However the company itself is extremely flexible in allowing personnel (typically professional staff that have proved they are dependable and reliable) to work at home periodically during the week.

Green Gigs: What advice would pass along to anyone looking to begin a career in health & safety?
Lisa: The environmental consulting field will never go away! In this time of economic crisis, the company that currently employs me is still actually hiring people for the coming year. Environmental remediation activities will still always be a top priority in the United States as well as in numerous other countries. This company is currently expanding into numerous global sites, such as the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and also Europe. The field is an extremely dynamic one, lending itself to long workdays (if you are a technician or field staff) and strictly enforced due dates for environmental reports if you are a professional staff. You must be a well organized, “roll with the punches” individual to succeed in this type of company. I highly recommend it as a career choice as far as stability goes as long as you are able to keep up with the pace of it all.

Thank you to Lisa for taking the time to share your thoughts and advice with us. If you are interested in learning more about pursuing a career as a Health & Safety Officer, consider visiting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to get started.

Related Articles:
10 Must Read Articles for Green Job Hunters
Virtual Jobs for Green People
Job Application Advice from Top Green Employers: SAIC

Green Job Listings - Feb. 1, 2009

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! For those of you not getting ready for the big game, here are this weekend's listings for home-based green jobs. Today's listings bring opportunities for writers and editors, engineers, and business developers among others. Enjoy the game!

These green jobs were filled in Feb. '09. Seriously. But visit our home page for new gigs!

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