Green Job Series: Careers in Biofuels [Third Installment]

The biofuels industry employs a wide range of workers in a variety of occupations. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series profiles construction occupations in the biofuels industry.

Construction Occupations

Construction workers build the processing plants where biofuels are made. Much of the future construction needs from the biofuels industry will be driven by cellulosic technology, using nonfood biomass to create biofuels. The advances in processing additional feedstocks have created demand for processing plants that can convert multiple crops into fuel.

Construction workers are also needed to convert existing infrastructure at gas stations so that they can support higher blends of fuel. There may also be career opportunities in the design and construction of feedstock pre-processing facilities to condense biomass feedstocks before transportation to fuel production plants.

Job Duties

Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from early development to completion. They oversee new construction of biofuel and feedstock processing plants as well as the retrofitting of existing plants. Construction managers work with various specialists, such as architects and engineers, to get the plant built on time and within a budget.

Construction laborers perform tasks that require physical labor on construction sites, many of which are physically demanding. They build new biofuel plants and convert existing plants so that they can also produce fuel using cellulosic feedstocks. And as more ethanol blend fuels are made available, these workers will build new tanks to hold them or install blender pumps to existing tanks.

Construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy machinery used in construction. They operate various types of equipment, such as bulldozers, forklifts, and cranes. They use these machines to build processing plants and to install new fuel tanks at gas stations.

Education

Most construction managers have a bachelor's degree in construction science, construction management, architecture, or engineering. However, a combination of work experience and an associate's degree may meet the qualifications of some employers. Managers must have time-management skills and decision-making skills to ensure that each task involved in a project is assigned to the appropriate party and that each task is completed on time.

Most employers hiring construction laborers do not have a formal education requirement. The majority of laborers learn their skills through on-the-job-training, either informally or through an apprenticeship program. Construction workers must have strength and stamina for lifting heavy objects and performing other strenuous tasks throughout the day.

Construction equipment operators may learn the skills needed for their job through on-the-job training, an apprenticeship, or at a trade school. A high school diploma and a commercial driver's license may be required. They should have good eye-hand-foot coordination because they control powerful machinery.

Earnings

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) currently does not have wage data specific to the biofuels industry. However, BLS does have wage data for the basic chemical manufacturing industry group; the following table shows wages for selected construction occupations in that industry group for May 2011. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Construction managers	$101,970
Construction laborers	$29,730
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators	$33,440

For more detailed information on construction occupations in the biofuels industry, click the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Next week’s biofuels industry installment: Agriculture Occupations

Green Job Series: Careers in Sustainable Forestry [Second Installment]

Fires have an important role in forest ecology. In some extreme forest conditions, small fires turn into large, catastrophic fires that cause significant damage to the forest. However, some species of trees release seeds and spur new growth only in the presence of fires. Managing forest fires is an important part of sustainable forestry.

This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series profiles selected fire protection and prevention occupations in sustainable forestry.

Fire Protection and Prevention Occupations

Workers in these occupations typically spend most of their time outdoors, sometimes under potentially dangerous conditions. They use a variety of tools and equipment in their work. Fire protection and prevention workers must be physically fit, because their jobs are physically demanding and may involve walking long distances through heavily forested areas and wetlands.

Job Duties

Forest firefighters use heavy equipment, hand tools, and water hoses to control forest fires. They also create fire breaks (gaps in vegetation that slow or stop the progress of a fire) to deprive fires of fuel. Some elite forest firefighters, known as smoke jumpers, parachute from planes to reach areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Forest firefighters are expected to respond to forest fires during all hours of the day and night and may spend several consecutive days or weeks fighting a fire. Many forest firefighters work on a seasonal basis, generally from early spring to late summer.

Forest firefighters sometimes assist foresters with conducting controlled burns, in which fires are intentionally set to clear underbrush and manage the growth of plants and trees in the forest.

Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists inspect forests for fire hazards. They look for problems that pose a wildfire risk and recommend ways to reduce fire hazards. They patrol forest areas, to ensure compliance with fire regulations, and report fire conditions to a central command center. Most forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists work for state and local governments.

Education and Training

Forest firefighters need to be at least 18 years old and need a high school diploma or equivalent. They are required to pass a physical fitness test, and they receive most of their training on the job. Firefighters who plan and oversee controlled burns must complete additional training and become certified as a burn boss.

Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists have at least a high school diploma; however, some positions require that workers have an associate's or bachelor's degree. Work experience in firefighting or fire suppression also may be necessary.

Earnings

The table that follows shows wages for selected forest fire protection and prevention occupations in May 2012. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Forest firefighters	$45,250
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists	$35,780

For more detailed information on fire protection and prevention occupations in sustainable forestry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Tomorrow's sustainable forestry series installment: Science Occupations.

Green Job Series: Careers in Sustainable Forestry [First Installment]

Trees provide many of the products, including lumber, paper, and cloth, that we need in a modern economy. Sustainable forestry ensures that forests are used in the most effective way and trees are protected against the harmful effects of pollution, fires, pests, and diseases, and they are not overharvested in a manner that does not allow regrowth and regeneration.

Jobs that are involved in this balance of fulfilling consumer needs and preserving the forest environment relate to careers in sustainable forestry. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series profiles selected forest conservation and logging occupations in sustainable forestry.

Forest Conservation and Logging Occupations

Forest and conservation workers and loggers who practice sustainable forestry cultivate and harvest thousands of acres of timber each year in environmentally friendly ways. Conservation and logging work is physically demanding, and logging jobs can be hazardous. Workers spend nearly all of their time outdoors, sometimes in poor weather and often in isolated areas. Loggers work in teams, with each worker specializing in a certain task.

Job Duties

Forest and conservation workers help to develop, maintain, and protect forests. Under the supervision of foresters and forest and conservation technicians, forest and conservation workers help to sustain and develop forests by doing tasks, such as planting seedlings or removing diseased trees. They may spray trees and seedlings with insecticides and fungicides, to control insects and weed growth.

Forest and conservation workers may work on tree farms, where they plant, cultivate, and harvest different types of trees. Workers who are employed by state and local governments clear brush and debris from trails, roadsides, and camping areas. Forest and conservation workers who have a fire protection background may help prevent fires by constructing fire breaks or assisting with controlled burns.

Fallers cut down trees with hand-held power chain saws and mobile felling machines. They ensure that the tree is cut safely, so that it falls in the direction desired to avoid hitting other workers or landing on equipment.

Logging equipment operators use tree harvesters to fell trees, shear tree limbs, and cut the trees into desired lengths. They drive tractors and operate self-propelled machines, called skidders or forwarders, which drag or transport logs to a loading area.

Log graders and scalers inspect logs for defects and measure the logs to determine their volume. They estimate the value of the logs or pulpwood (logs that are ground up for paper products). These workers often use handheld data collection devices to enter data about trees.

Other logging workers include buckers, who trim the tops and branches of felled trees and buck (cut) the logs into specific lengths; choke setters, who fasten chokers (steel cables or chains) around logs to be dragged by tractors or forwarded by a cable-yarding system; and rigging slingers and chasers, who set up and dismantle cables and guy wires of the yarding system. In addition, log sorters, markers, movers, and chippers sort, mark, and move logs based on species, size, and ownership, and they tend machines that chip up logs.

Education and Training

Forest and conservation workers typically need a high school diploma before they begin working. They generally get on-the-job training by helping more experienced workers. Most logging workers have a high school diploma. They get on-the-job training, to become familiar with forest environments and to learn how to operate logging machinery.

Many states have training programs for logging workers, which may include technical instruction or field training in areas such as best management practices, environmental compliance, and reforestation. Safety is a vital part of a logging worker’s instruction. Tree fallers require more skill and experience than do workers in other logging occupations, so fallers typically work under the direct supervision of more-experienced logging workers.

Earnings

The table that follows shows wages for selected logging occupations in the forestry and logging subsector in May 2012. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Forest and conservation workers	$24,340
Fallers	$35,250
Logging equipment operators	$33,380
Log graders and scalers	$32,880
Logging workers, all other	$34,260

For more detailed information on forest conservation and logging occupations in sustainable forestry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Next week's sustainable forestry installment: Fire Protection and Prevention Occupations.

Green Job Series: Careers in Environmental Remediation [First Installment]

Environmental remediation is the removal of pollution or contaminants from water (both ground water and surface water) and soil. These waste products are removed for the protection of human health, as well as to restore the environment. In some cases, a site is so contaminated that it can only be fenced off and isolated as much as possible from the rest of the environment.

Several types of workers are involved in environmental remediation. They might be employed by companies in architectural, engineering, and related services industries; by management, scientific, and technical consulting firms; or by state, local, or federal government agencies.

This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes science occupations in environmental remediation.

Science Occupations

Science workers perform studies of the areas that will be remediated and help to determine the best ways to conduct the remediation. They perform tests to see which pollutants are present at a remediation site and determine the most effective technology for removing or remediating each pollutant.

These science workers might spend time outdoors studying the site or have technicians perform the site work. They might spend time in a laboratory testing soil or water samples collected at potential remediation sites.

Job Duties

Biochemists and biophysicists study the biological effects of pollutants and the effect of these pollutants on the local environment. They also study organisms that are used in bioremediation.

Chemists investigate the characteristics of chemicals that have caused a site to be contaminated and those used to remediate the site. When new chemicals are introduced into the soil or water for the purposes of remediation, chemists must ensure that those chemicals do not cause additional harm and will be effective in the removal of pollution.

Chemical technicians assist chemists and other scientists with testing chemical pollutants or with processes for cleaning them up.

Conservation scientists oversee the overall land quality of remediation sites. They work with landowners and government agencies to devise ways to improve the land and safeguard the environment. They evaluate data on soil and water quality and assess damage to the land from pollution. They help to monitor the remediation process.

Environmental scientists and specialists work to reclaim lands and waters that have been contaminated by pollution and work with other scientists and engineers to determine the most effective and safest ways to clean up a site.

Environmental science and protection technicians conduct laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution. They also conduct tests during the process of remediation to determine the progress of the remediation project.

Geoscientists work with other scientists and specialists to determine the effects and extent of soil pollution and the techniques that would be the most economical for remediation.

Hydrologists determine the water cycle at a contaminated site and the overall effects of pollution on the local water supply. They study ground water, as well as local water sources such as rivers, lakes, and streams, to monitor the flow of contaminants across different bodies of water.

Bioremediation techniques require the use of microorganisms to remove contaminants, and microbiologists determine which organisms would be best for a particular site. They also monitor the progress of the site as the bioremediation is carried out, collecting samples and analyzing them.

Education and Training

Entry-level education for science occupations varies from an associate's degree or comparable postsecondary education for technicians to a Ph.D. for biochemists and biophysicists. A bachelor's degree may be sufficient to enter some of the science occupations, but a master's or Ph.D. is typically required to conduct research.

Scientists must have a variety of skills and important qualities. Computer skills are essential for the majority of scientists because computers are used heavily for data analysis and integration, digital mapping, remote sensing, and the construction of computer models. Scientists must also have excellent written and verbal communications skills, because they must present their findings to other members of a remediation team, including those without a science background.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) currently does not have wage data specific to the environmental remediation industry. The table that follows shows wages for selected science occupations in the waste management and remediation services industry group for May 2011. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Biochemists and biophysicists	$79,230
Chemists	$58,860
Chemical technicians	$41,620
Conservation scientists	$59,530
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health	$64,670
Environmental science and protection technicians, including health	$45,720
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers	$67,030
Hydrologists	$75,680
Microbiologists	$65,230

For more detailed information on science occupations in the environmental remediation industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Next week's environmental remediation industry series installment: Engineering and Mapping Occupations.

Green Job Series: Careers in Green Construction [First Installment]

As interest in protecting the environment grows, "green," or sustainable, buildings have become more commonplace. These buildings feature specialized designs and materials to limit their environmental impact. Creating these buildings requires skilled workers with knowledge of new design and construction techniques.

This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes some of the most common green building construction jobs with a focus on commercial and office sites.

Occupations in Building Construction

Erecting any building is a complex task, and green buildings are no different. Experienced construction workers without a lot of green knowledge might have to learn how to perform tasks in new or different ways. Also, when constructing green buildings, workers might find themselves using unusual design schematics or materials with which they are unfamiliar.

However, the biggest change for these workers is the adoption of onsite procedures designed to lessen the ecological impact of the construction. When building green, construction workers have to be conscious of how their work affects the surrounding environment.

Job Duties

When working on green buildings, construction managers are responsible for ensuring that onsite processes are environmentally friendly. This could mean setting up a recycling plan for unused construction materials or protecting environmentally sensitive areas of the site. Because construction managers also select the general contractors and trade contractors, they are responsible for choosing contractors who have knowledge of green building techniques.

The duties of construction laborers on a green building site are similar to their duties on other projects. However, they fulfill these duties in a more environmentally conscious fashion. For example, construction laborers must follow green onsite procedures, such as material recycling plans, decided upon by their managers.

Operating heavy construction equipment on a green job site requires special care. Construction equipment operators have to take precautions in order not to damage sensitive areas of the site. For example, construction equipment operators might have to work on sites that host a threatened animal’s habitat or an eroding watershed.

Education and Training

Most construction managers gain experience working on projects in other positions before they are selected to manage a project. Education is becoming important, and most project managers hold a bachelor's degree or higher in construction management, business management, or engineering. Advanced degrees, such as a master's degree in business administration (MBA), are becoming more common. Construction managers on green projects might have the LEED Green Associate credential or have taken the NCCER's Sustainable Construction Supervisor Training and Certification Program.

Although many construction laborer jobs have no specific education or training requirements, some construction laborers may receive formal technical and on-the-job training. High school classes in English, mathematics, physics, construction drawings, welding, and other career and technical education classes can be helpful preparation. Many construction laborers learn their skills on the job by assisting more experienced workers.

Construction equipment operators learn their skills through a variety of venues, including on-the-job training, equipment career schools, NCCER or ABC sponsors, apprenticeships, or, union instruction. Depending on the type of equipment, the operator may be required to be certified by an accredited party or by the manufacturer.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not currently have wage data specific to the green construction industry. However, BLS does have wage data for the nonresidential building construction industry group, which includes construction of commercial and office buildings. The table shows BLS data for selected occupations in this industry group for May 2010. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Construction managers	$85,030
Construction laborers	$31,000
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators	$46,160

For more detailed information on building occupations in the green construction industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Next week's green construction industry series installment: Occupations in Design.

Green Job Series: Careers in Recycling—Material Recovery Facility Managers

Keeping a constant flow of recyclables collected, sorted, processed, and sold requires a proficient staff of sorters, drivers, mechanics, technicians, machinery maintenance workers—and experienced material recovery facility (MRF) managers to supervise it. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes the job of MRF managers.

Material Recovery Facility Managers

Job Duties

MRF managers keep the recycling facilities working efficiently and safely. They have a broad range of responsibilities, including overseeing site improvements, submitting budgets, and developing long-term goals for the facility. MRF managers might also work with the sales team to identify new clients who might be interested in purchasing recyclables. When it is necessary to deal with the public or press, MRF managers are the face of the recycling operation.

MRF managers are also responsible for recruiting, hiring, and training employees. They evaluate employees' performances and offer feedback to senior managers on how to reward and compensate employees. Finally, because heavy machinery and large vehicles at an MRF can pose a risk to employees, a substantial part of MRF managers' jobs concerns workplace safety, such as providing employees with regular safety briefings and reviewing technicians' inspection and maintenance reports.

Education and Training

Positions for MRF managers may require education beyond a bachelor's degree. Many MRF managers have earned a master's degree in business administration (MBA) or a master's degree in industrial engineering. Management experience, especially in the waste industry, can sometimes be substituted for education. A combination of a graduate degree and several years of experience is ideal.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have data specifically for MRF managers; however, these workers are included in the occupation general and operations managers. The median annual wage for general and operations managers in the remediation and other waste management services industry group was $90,790 in May 2010. The wage is the median annual wage for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

For more detailed information on MRF managers in the recycling industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Next week’s recycling industry series installment: Route Managers

Green Job Series: Careers in Recycling—Mechanics, Technicians, and Machinery Maintenance Workers

Recycling operations rely on various kinds of mechanics, technicians, and machinery maintenance workers to inspect and repair the automated equipment in MRFs (Materials Recovery Facility) and to maintain recycling trucks. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes the jobs of mechanics, technicians, and machinery maintenance workers.

Mechanics, Technicians, and Machinery Maintenance Workers

Getting recyclables from waste bins to manufacturers requires different types of workers. Drivers collect the recyclables and transport them to a MRF, at which mechanics, technicians, and machinery maintenance workers work.

Job Duties

Mechanics and technicians monitor and operate the machines in MRFs, including balers (compactors) that shape the recyclables into a form to simplify shipping to and use by manufacturers. They also regularly inspect the machinery and diagnose and repair any problems with the electrical or hydraulic systems of the compactors. They record their work in detailed logs.

Other mechanics, technicians, and maintenance workers are needed to repair and maintain the recycling trucks. They run inspections and diagnostic tests and perform preventative maintenance and vehicular repairs. Truck technicians also document vehicular part usage and repair times. They may be required to make emergency roadside calls if recycling trucks experience problems while out on collection.

Education and Training

Whether they work on machinery or recycling trucks, mechanics and technicians should have at least a high school education or a G.E.D. They should also have at least a year of formal education and experience performing repairs on machines or vehicles. Workers can learn these technical skills through vocational training programs or apprenticeships. While mechanics used to specialize in one area, many now have knowledge of multiple disciplines, including electricity, electronics, hydraulics, and computer programming. Machinery maintenance workers usually receive on-the-job training that lasts for a few months or a year.

Mechanics and technicians are required to pass drug tests and background checks. They should have clean driving records and need to be able to move equipment that weighs up to 50 pounds.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have data specific to mechanics, technicians, and machinery maintenance workers at MRFs. However, these workers are included in the occupations industrial mechanics; maintenance workers, machinery; and bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists. The table below shows wages for these occupations in the remediation and other waste management services industry group. The wage is the median annual wage for the entire United States. Wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Industrial machinery mechanics	$47,280
Maintenance workers, machinery	$41,870
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists	$38,780

For more detailed information on mechanics, technicians, and machinery maintenance workers in the recycling industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Next week’s recycling industry series installment: Material Recovery Facility Managers

Green Job Series: Careers in Recycling—Sorters

Collected recyclables are taken to an MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) to be sorted and processed. At MRFs, workers unload the recycling trucks, and dump the recyclables onto slow moving conveyor belts. As the recyclables move down the conveyor belt, they are sorted into different groups by their material. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes the job of a sorter.

Sorters

In single-stream recycling systems, many different kinds of recyclables are collected together. Sorters separate the various types of recyclables so they can be processed.

Job Duties

Sorters work along conveyer belts in MRFs. As waste materials come down the conveyer belt, sorters pull out any items that cannot be recycled and should be disposed of. They sometimes work as quality control inspectors and remove unwanted materials from a single stream. For example, they might remove paper products from a stream of plastic containers.

At older MRFs, sorters are also responsible for separating all the different types of recyclables by material type. MRFs are increasingly relying on automated equipment as a faster way to sort recyclables. Even in these plants, however, sorters are necessary to ensure that no stray recyclables fall into the wrong group. Sorters also monitor the waste stream before it reaches the automated equipment to pull items that could damage the machinery, such as garden hoses, from the conveyer belt.

Education and Training

There are no specific education requirements for sorters. Many companies conduct drug tests and background checks on prospective employees. Sorters need to be physically capable of working on their feet for the entire day. They also need strong backs to handle repeatedly bending over to pick items off the conveyor belts. Sorters must have excellent vision to spot items as they come down the conveyer belt.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have data specifically for recycling sorters at MRFs; however, these workers are included in the occupation laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand. The median annual wage for laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand in the remediation and other waste management services industry group was $23,570 in May 2010. The wage is the median annual wage for the entire United States. Wages vary by employer and location.

For more detailed information on sorters in the recycling industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Next week’s recycling industry series installment: Mechanics, Technicians, and Machinery Maintenance Workers

Green Job Series: Careers in Recycling—Drivers

Getting recyclables from waste bins to manufacturers requires different types of workers. Drivers collect the recyclables and transport them to a MRF, at which sorters, plant managers, and technicians and mechanics work. Skilled personnel in support roles, such as sales and logistics, are also essential to the recycling industry. Larger recycling firms also employ workers in many other occupations, including management and human resources, but these occupations are not covered in this report. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes the job of a driver.

Drivers

Recycling companies or local governments offering home pickup services employ drivers, also called recyclable material collectors, to pick up and transport recyclables to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).

Job Duties

Several drivers usually work together as a team to collect recyclables. One drives the truck, stopping alongside each recycling bin, while the other workers ride inside the cabin or hold onto the side of the truck. At each stop, at least one worker exits the vehicle, grabs the curbside recycling bin, and empties it into the bed of the truck. When the truck finishes its assigned route, the workers return to the MRF where the recyclables are unloaded.

Depending on the type of truck used, workers might have to lift and empty the recyclables from the bin themselves. Other vehicles have hydraulic lifting mechanisms—in either the rear or front of the truck—that can be used to empty the bins automatically. To protect themselves from accidents around the trucks and lift systems, drivers follow detailed safety procedures.

Drivers are required to collect recyclables year-round and in all weather conditions. And, in order to pick up recyclables along long routes, some workers begin shifts as early as 5 or 6 a.m.

Recycling companies that offer services to construction firms pick up recyclable materials from construction sites. Because of the high volume and large size of construction waste, these workers might drive roll-off trucks, which can haul the large dumpsters used on construction sites back to special construction and demolition debris facilities.

Drivers are responsible for inspecting their vehicles at both the beginning and end of every workday. They inspect the tire pressure, fluid levels, safety equipment, and all gauges and controls.

Education and Training

Drivers should have at least a high school education or a G.E.D. To be certified to handle large recycling trucks, drivers must have a Class A or B Commercial Driver's License with airbrake endorsement. Recycling companies prefer drivers who have several years of experience with large commercial trucks.

Drivers need to pass drug screening and background checks. They should have clean driving records. Drivers must also be physically capable of lifting, pushing, and pulling full recycling bins repeatedly throughout the day.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS does not have data specifically for drivers of recycling trucks; however, these workers are included in the occupation refuse and recyclable material collectors. The median annual wage for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the remediation and other waste management services industry group was $29,610 in May 2010. The wage is the median annual wage for the entire United States. Wages vary by employer and location.

For more detailed information on drivers in the recycling industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Tomorrow’s recycling industry series installment: Sorters

Green Job Series: Careers in Solar Power [Sixth Installment]

Site assessors, electricians, plumbers, and roofers are also involved in the solar photovoltaic installation process, but are not classified as installers. However, they possess many of the same skills as solar photovoltaic installers and often have work experience in these fields. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes some common jobs in solar panel installation and maintenance.

Occupations in Solar Panel Installation and Maintenance

Site assessors determine how much energy can be harvested at a particular location and then make recommendations based on that assessment. Site assessors help determine the best type, size, and layout of solar panels, and help draw up plans for installation crews. Assessors may take readings of sunlight at a proposed location, review weather patterns, and calculate potential costs and savings.

Site assessors are usually hired for commercial projects by companies that are making substantial investments in solar power and therefore want to ensure maximum benefits from the project. Some site assessors may consult with homeowners or solar installation companies on residential projects.

Electricians install and maintain all of the electrical and power systems in a home or business. They install and maintain the wiring and control the equipment through which electricity flows. Electricians are responsible for connecting the solar panels, inverter, and other equipment to a building's power supply. If a new building or house is being constructed with a solar power generating system, electricians may be responsible for installing the solar power system along with the electrical wiring system, or they may be responsible for simply connecting the solar equipment.

Plumbers install solar water heating systems. These systems replace or augment a conventional water heater and must be connected to a house's or building's plumbing. To install these systems, plumbers require specialized training to work with solar water heater equipment.

Roofers install and repair roofs, and they ensure that any cuts or holes made in the roof during the installation of solar panels and mounting racks are properly repaired and sealed. They may also assist with the installation of mounting systems and structural supports.

Education and Training

Site assessors generally have past experience with electrical or roofing work or experience as solar photovoltaic installers. They receive on-the-job training as well as specialized training in the equipment and techniques used to assess a site for a potential solar project. Some formal educational programs are available that teach basic site assessment including how to gauge the feasibility of solar generation, estimate costs, and determine which products to use.

Electricians and plumbers receive training through supervised apprenticeships administered by technical schools or community colleges. Apprenticeships usually consist of 4 or 5 years of paid on-the-job training and at least 144 hours of related classroom instruction per year. Most states require electricians and plumbers to be licensed. Licensing requirements vary, but it is common for states to require between 2 and 5 years of experience, followed by an examination that tests knowledge of trade and local codes. Applicants for apprenticeships must be at least 18 years old and in good physical condition. Drug tests may be required, and most apprenticeship programs ask that applicants have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

Electricians and plumbers working on solar installation projects must also have specialized training on the systems that they will be installing, or they must work under the supervision of a qualified solar photovoltaic installer. Certification by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is required for many jobs, particularly large commercial installations and residential installations.

Roofers typically have on-the-job training and may participate in 3-year apprenticeship program. Many roofers in the solar industry educate themselves through additional training, or they gain experience to become solar photovoltaic installers.

Earnings

The following table shows U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for selected occupations in the Construction of Buildings industry group for May 2010. This industry group includes new residential and nonresidential construction and remodeling. BLS does not publish data for site assessors. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location..

Occupation	Median annual wage
Electricians	$45,790
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	$50,550
Roofers	$30,290

For more detailed information on solar panel installation and maintenance occupations in the solar power industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Next week's new green job series: Careers in Recycling

Green Job Series: Careers in Solar Power [Fifth Installment]

Solar photovoltaic installers are key to the process of solar panel installation and maintenance. They use specialized skills to install residential and commercial solar projects. They are responsible for safely attaching the panels to the roofs of houses or other buildings and ensuring that the systems work. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes the job of a solar photovoltaic installer.

Solar Photovoltaic Installers

Solar photovoltaic installers are often self-employed as general contractors or employed by solar panel manufacturers or installation companies. Self-employed installers typically have training and experience with installing solar power systems and are hired directly by the property owners or by a construction firm.

Job Duties

The main component of a solar installer's job is the preparation of the installation site. Before the installation process begins, a full audit of a structure is conducted, including a survey of the existing electrical system and developing safety procedures. The job is then designed based on the characteristics of the structure and the type of system being installed. After the layout and equipment are finalized, the permits are obtained from the relevant governments (local, state, federal, or a combination). If the installers do not do these preparations themselves, they must familiarize themselves with the site before they begin working on it.

Once installation begins, the proper safety equipment, such as a rope and anchor system, must be set up to prevent falls from the rooftop. Often, the building will have to be upgraded to support the solar panels; this may involve reinforcing the roof, replacing rafters, or installing supports to handle the added weight of the panels. The roof must be marked to show where the arrays will be placed, and holes are drilled in the roof to attach the mounting system. After the mounting system is in place, the solar panels can be installed.

Solar photovoltaic installers must be able to work with power tools and hand tools at great heights, and possess in-depth knowledge of electrical wiring as well as basic math skills. When necessary, installers must be problem solvers, able to repair damaged systems or replace malfunctioning components. Safety is a priority when installing solar panels because installers run the risk of falling from a roof or being electrocuted by high voltage.

Education and Training

Solar photovoltaic installers typically have a background in construction or as electricians. There is no formal training standard for installers, but courses are offered by a variety of institutions, such as trade schools, apprenticeship programs, or by photovoltaic module manufacturers.

Many solar installers are licensed as general contractors and many are licensed by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Certification, while not necessary, can improve the job prospects of installers, and many larger projects require workers to be certified.

Solar installers may work alongside roofers, electricians, and plumbers in order to learn the variety of skills needed to complete an installation. Many installers enter the field with previous experience in one or more of these fields.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not currently publish wage data available for solar photovoltaic installers, but these data are being collected. According to industry sources, solar installers usually have starting salaries between $30,000 and $40,000 per year. Installers trained as electricians or those that are licensed as general contractors can make significantly more. As with any occupation, wages and benefits vary by employer and geographic location.

For more detailed information on operations occupations in the solar power industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Tomorrow’s final solar power industry series installment: Other Occupations in Solar Panel Installation and Maintenance

Green Job Series: Careers in Solar Power [Fourth Installment]

Workers at solar power plants install, operate, and maintain equipment. They also monitor the production process and correct any problems that arise during normal operation. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes some of the most common jobs in operations of solar power plants.

Occupations in Solar Power Plant Operations

Concentrating solar power (CSP) plants require more workers than photovoltaic plants; photovoltaic plants can sometimes even be run remotely.

Job Duties

Power plant operators monitor power generation and distribution from control rooms at power plants. They monitor the solar arrays and generators and regulate output from the generators, and they monitor instruments to maintain voltage to regulate electricity flows from the plant. Power plant operators communicate with distribution centers to ensure that the proper amount of electricity is being generated based on demand. They also go on rounds through the plant to check that everything is operating correctly, keeping records of switching operations and loads on generators, lines, and transformers.

Some CSP plants have a secondary source of power generation, such as natural-gas powered turbines, that will generate power at night or when the weather doesn't allow for sufficient solar power generation. Power plant operators are responsible for monitoring this equipment and deciding when to switch from solar generation to the secondary source.

Pump operators tend, control, and operate pump and manifold systems that transfer oil, water, and other materials throughout the CSP plant. Pump operators also maintain the equipment and regulate the flow of materials according to a schedule set up by the plant engineers or production supervisors.

Electricians are responsible for installing and maintaining the electrical equipment and wiring that connects the plant to the electrical grid. Electricians in power plants work with heavy equipment, including generators, inverters, and transformers.

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install, maintain, and repair pipe systems. The workers monitor, regulate, and control flow through the pipes using automatic controls.

Electrical and electronics installers and repairers use electronic power equipment to operate and control generating plants, substations, and monitoring equipment. They install, maintain, and repair these complex systems.

Electrical engineers are responsible for controlling electrical generation and monitoring transmission devices used by electric utilities in power plants.

Education and Training

Power plant workers generally need a combination of education, on-the-job training, and experience. Strong mechanical, technical, and computer skills are needed to operate a power plant. Certification by the North American Energy Reliability Corporation (NERC) is necessary for positions that could affect the power grid. Companies also require a strong math and science background for workers seeking highly technical jobs. Knowledge of these subjects can be obtained through specialized training courses.

Electricians and pipefitters and steamfitters must be trained on the specific systems on which they work. They attend specialized training programs and undergo extensive on-the-job training.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have wage data specific to the solar power industry. However, BLS does have wage data for occupations in the Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution industry group, which includes the distribution of electricity generated by solar power plants. The table shows BLS data for selected occupations in this industry group for May 2010. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Power plant operators	$64,270
Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers	$58,740
Electricians	$59,020
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	$66,080
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay	$66,230

For more detailed information on operations occupations in the solar power industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Next week's green job series installment: Occupations in Solar Power Installation

Green Job Series: Careers in Solar Power [Third Installment]

Once a site has been selected, civil engineers are responsible for the design of the solar power plant and related structures. When construction begins, workers are needed to build the actual plant. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes some of the most common jobs in construction of solar power plants.

Occupations in Solar Power Plant Construction

For a concentrating solar power (CSP) plant, large mirrors are arranged to catch and focus sunlight for power generation, therefore storage tanks, pipes, and generators must be installed before the plant is connected to the electrical grid. Photovoltaic plants are less complex, requiring installation of arrays of photovoltaic panels before they are connected to transformers and the grid.

Job Duties

Construction managers oversee the construction of solar power plants, from site selection to the final construction of the plant. They supervise a team of diverse occupations, including engineers, scientists, construction workers, and heavy-equipment operators. The construction manager's time is split between working at the construction site and an office, which may be located onsite or offsite.

Civil engineers design and supervise the construction of power plants. Engineers ensure that the land is graded properly and is flat enough to support large arrays of mirrors or photovoltaic panels. Civil engineers are also responsible for designing necessary infrastructure, including roadways, support structures, foundations, and plumbing systems.

Construction laborers perform a wide range of construction-related tasks. Most construction laborers specialize in one component of construction, such as metalworking, concrete pouring and setting, assembly, or demolition. Laborers prepare the site for construction by removing trees and debris. They are also responsible for monitoring and repairing compressors, pumps, and generators, and for erecting scaffolding and other support structures, as well as loading, unloading, identifying, and distributing building materials in accordance with project plans.

Construction equipment operators use machinery to move construction materials, earth, and other heavy materials at a construction site. They operate cranes to lift and place heavy objects, such as photovoltaic arrays, large mirrors, and turbine generators. They set up and inspect their equipment, make adjustments to the equipment, and perform some maintenance and minor repairs.

Welders who work in solar power plant construction are important for both CSP and photovoltaic plants. In CSP plants, the work of welders includes joining structural beams together when constructing buildings, installing the structures that support the mirrors, and joining pipes together. At photovoltaic plants, welders are instrumental in building the solar panel mounting systems.

Structural iron and steel workers use blueprints to place and install iron or steel girders, columns, and other structures to form the support structures for power plants. These workers also cut the structures to proper size, drill bolts for holes, and number them for onsite assembly by construction workers or solar photovoltaic installers. The structures are then shipped to worksites where they will be erected by structural iron and steel workers on a construction site.

Education and Training

In most construction occupations, workers are trained on the job. Laborers typically work under supervisors, who direct them to complete tasks. As laborers gain more experience and prove their abilities, they may move up to become supervisors. Equipment operators often learn on the job or complete a formal training program, or a combination be certified, which involves some training and testing to ensure competence and safety.

Construction managers are typically educated in construction management, business management, or engineering, and usually have experience working in construction. Experience is important for construction managers, so it may be substituted for some educational requirements. Workers with a degree in construction management or engineering, but without significant experience, may be hired as assistants to construction managers.

Civil engineers have at least a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering. Lead engineers on large projects, such as power plants, have specialized experience and typically have at least a master's degree. Licensure as a professional engineer (PE) may be required.

Welders usually learn their trade through on-the-job training or a formal apprenticeship program, or they may attend a formal training program at a trade school or community college. Structural steel and iron workers are typically trained on the job and may complete additional specialized training.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have wage data specific to the solar power industry. However, BLS does track the wage of occupations in the Utility System Construction industry group, which includes construction of solar power plants. The table shows BLS data for selected occupations in this industry group for May 2010. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Construction managers	$83,170
Civil engineers	$74,620
Construction laborers	$29,600
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators	$43,240
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers	$45,990
Structural iron and steel workers	$44,890

For more detailed information on construction occupations in the solar power industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Thursday's green job series installment: Occupations in Solar Power Plant Operations

Green Jobs Series: Careers in Solar Power [Second Installment]

The vast majority of solar manufacturing firms focus mainly on photovoltaic solar power and producing photovoltaic panels. The production process for photovoltaic panels is more complex than for concentrating solar power (CSP) components, and it involves complicated electronics. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes some of the most common jobs in manufacturing of solar power.

Occupations in Manufacturing for Solar Power

Making photovoltaic panels requires the work of many skilled workers, including semiconductor processors, computer-controlled machine tool operators, glaziers, and coating and painting workers. The manufacture of CSP mirrors includes many of the same occupations.

Job Duties

Semiconductor processors are workers who oversee the manufacturing process of solar cells. They test completed cells and perform diagnostic analyses. Semiconductor processors are required to wear special lightweight outer garments known as "bunny suits" and spend most of their day working in clean rooms to prevent contamination of the cells and circuitry.

Computer-controlled machine tool operators are workers who run computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines, a machine tool that forms and shapes solar mirror or panel components. Some of the more highly trained CNC workers also program the machines to cut new pieces according to design schematics. CNC operators use machines to mass-produce components that require highly precise cutting. In the solar power industry, they manufacture precisely designed mirrors for CSP plants and many of the components of photovoltaic panels.

Welding, soldering, and brazing workers apply heat to metal pieces during the manufacturing process, melting and fusing them to form a permanent bond. Welders join two or more pieces of metal by melting them together. Soldering and brazing workers use a metal with a lower melting point than that of the original piece, so only the added metal is melted, preventing the piece from warping or distorting.

Glaziers are responsible for selecting, cutting, installing, replacing, and removing glass or glass-like materials. The glaziers are responsible for measuring and cutting the glass or laminate to cover the panel; securing it in place; and sealing it using rubber, vinyl, or silicone compounds.

Coating and painting machine setters, operators, and tenders apply coatings to solar panels, which can be a complicated process that must be done with a high level of precision. It is their job to set up the systems, add solvents, monitor the equipment, and feed the pieces through the machines. Workers are usually required to wear masks and special suits to protect them from hazardous fumes produced by paint, solvents, and other chemicals.

Electrical and electronics installers and repairers work on a number of the complex electronic equipment that the solar industry depends on for a variety of functions. Manufacturers use industrial controls to automatically monitor and direct production processes on the factory floor.

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers put together the final products and the components that go into them. They are responsible for assembling the complex electrical circuitry in a photovoltaic panel, as well as assembling the components that connect to solar panels. Many of these assemblers operate automated systems to assemble small electronic parts that are too small or fragile for human assembly.

Industrial production managers plan, direct, and coordinate work on the factory floor. They keep production runs on schedule, and are responsible for solving problems that could jeopardize the quality of the components.

Education and Training

The level and type of training necessary for occupations in the solar power manufacturing process varies. Most production workers are trained on the job and gain expertise with experience. Workers in more skilled positions, such as computer-controlled machine tool operators, may attend formal training programs or apprenticeships. Experience working with electronics or semiconductors may be helpful for some of these occupations. Industrial production managers are typically required to have college degrees in business administration, management, industrial technology, or engineering.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have wage data specific to the solar power industry. However, BLS does track wage data for the semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing industry group, which includes production of solar panels. The table shows BLS data for selected occupations in this industry group for May 2010. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Semiconductor processors	$32,880
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic	$31,470
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers	$27,590
Glaziers	$36,640
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders	$32,520
Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment	$47,480
Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers	$27,500
Industrial production managers	$97,330

For more detailed information on manufacturing occupations in the solar power industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Next week's green job series installment: Occupations in Solar Power Plant Construction

Green Jobs Series: Careers in Solar Power

The solar power industry employs a wide range of occupations in a number of major industry segments: research and development, manufacturing of solar power materials, construction of solar power plants, operation of solar power plants, and solar power installation and maintenance. Sales occupations are also integral to the solar power products industry. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes some of the most common jobs in scientific research.

Occupations in Scientific Research

Solar power is still gaining popularity and acceptance, so research and development are key aspects of the industry. Continued research and increased returns to scale as production has increased have led to many developments that have decreased costs while increasing efficiency, reliability, and aesthetics.

Occupations in scientific research and development have become increasingly interdisciplinary, and as a result, it is common for physicists, chemists, materials scientists, and engineers to work together as part of a team. Most scientists in the solar industry work in an office or laboratory and also spend some time in manufacturing facilities with engineers and processing specialists.

Job Duties

Physicists work with chemists, materials scientists, and engineers to improve the efficiency of solar panels. Physicists also find new materials to use for solar panel generation, such as the thin-film photovoltaic solar panels.

Chemists improve on solar cell design, develop new materials for making solar cells, or improve existing materials. They typically focus on semiconducting materials, which are usually silicon-based materials or organic compounds, because most solar panels are made of semiconducting materials and some newer thin-film panels are made out of organic materials.

Materials scientists focus on developing new materials, especially thin-film cells, and decreasing the cost of photovoltaic panels. Materials scientists are also seeking to increase solar panel efficiency. Finally, material scientists are seeking to create building-integrated solar energy technologies that address common complaints about solar panels taking away the aesthetic appeal of a building because of their large and bulky nature.

Education and Training

A doctoral degree is a necessity for scientists that conduct original research and develop new products; however, some workers may enter the scientific fields with a bachelor's or master's degree. Computer skills are essential for scientists to perform data analysis, integration, modeling, and testing. Certification or licensure is not necessary for most of these scientists.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have wage data specific to the solar power industry. The table shows wages for selected scientist occupations for May 2010. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Physicists	$106,370
Chemists	$68,320
Materials scientists	$84,720

For more detailed information on scientific research occupations in the solar power industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Thursday's solar power industry series installment: Occupations in Solar Power Manufacturing

Green Jobs Series: Careers in Electric Vehicles [Installment Four]

All vehicles need to be occasionally maintained and repaired. However, special skills and knowledge are required of automotive service technicians and mechanics to work on electric vehicles. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes some of the most common jobs in electric vehicle maintenance.

Occupations in Electric Vehicle Maintenance

Much of the routine maintenance and repair work can be done by normal repair workers, but the electrical systems and drivetrain will often need skilled workers familiar with electric vehicles. Repairing or installing electric vehicle batteries requires workers who are trained to work with specific types of batteries. Batteries need to be replaced every few years depending on usage and type of battery.

Job Duties

Automotive service technicians and mechanics inspect, maintain, and repair automobiles that run on gasoline, electricity, or a combination of the two. They plan and perform basic car maintenance and vehicle repairs. The job of automotive service technicians and mechanics has evolved from simple mechanical repairs to high-level technology-related work. Integrated electronic systems and complex computers regulate vehicles and their performance on the road. Fixing problems with these systems requires workers to use computerized shop equipment and work with electronic components as well as traditional hand tools.

Education and Training

Automotive service technicians and mechanics are increasingly required to have formal training because of the rapidly growing sophistication of automotive technology. Training typically begins in high school or a postsecondary vocational school or community college. Certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is usually required to work for larger repair shops or at dealerships. Formal education programs can last from a few weeks of on-the-job training to a 2-year associate’s degree. On-the-job training is necessary before a worker can begin to work independently. It typically takes 2 to 5 years of experience to become a fully qualified automotive service technician through ASE.

Electric vehicles use new and unique technologies, so technicians generally are trained to work on a particular type of vehicle and often specialize in vehicles made by a single manufacturer. Auto manufacturers typically provide this specialized training to technicians and mechanics. Workers are usually sent by their employers to formal training courses to gain certification on a particular vehicle type.

Programs, such as the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC), have been developed to train workers on a wide variety of skills needed to work on electric or alternative fuel vehicles. NAFTC provides curricula and training to secondary and postsecondary students studying automotive technology as well as automotive technicians who are already working in the field.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have wage data specific to the electric vehicle industry. The median annual wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics in the automotive repair and maintenance industry group was $33,010 for May 2010. The wage is for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

For more detailed information on vehicle maintenance occupations in the electric vehicle industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Tomorrow’s final electric vehicle industry series installment: Occupations in Infrastructure Development

Green Jobs Series: Careers in Electric Vehicles [Installment Three]

Manufacturing jobs in the electric vehicle industry include various assemblers, machine tool operators, machinists, and industrial production managers. Many of the occupations involved in manufacturing electric vehicles are also involved in the manufacture of vehicle charging stations, which are necessary for most types of plug-in hybrid vehicles and all types of battery-electric vehicles. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes some of the most common jobs in manufacturing.

Occupations in Manufacturing

Manufacturing workers usually work in large automotive assembly plants. These plants are usually quite noisy because they are filled with robotic devices, powerful machines, and hydraulic lifts. Safety conditions in assembly plants have improved considerably over the past several decades. However, manufacturing workers might use machinery or chemicals that require special handling.

Job Duties

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers build products such as electric motors, computers, electronic control devices, and sensing equipment. Some of these components may be too small or fragile for human assembly, so they are assembled by automated systems. Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers fit together the parts of larger components or controlling automated systems that are used for smaller pieces.

Electromechanical equipment assemblers use a variety of tools to build and assemble electromechanical components used in electric vehicles, such as gasoline engines, electric motors, and generators.

Engine and other machine assemblers construct and assemble engines used in automobiles. They put together the gasoline-powered engines that are present in hybrid cars and may be responsible for other components as well.

Team assemblers work on a variety of manufacturing tasks. They may work on a traditional assembly line or in a so-called “lean” manufacturing system, in which they may rotate between several different types of assembly work. These workers are usually on a team that completes the final assembly of a vehicle.

Computer-controlled machine tool operators use machines to fabricate metal and plastic components of vehicles. To set up the machine for certain operations, they download a program and fix the appropriate tools into the machine. After positioning the piece that is being worked on, computer-controlled machine tool operators start the machine.

Machinists use machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders, to produce precision metal parts. Producing large quantities of a single part may be partially or fully automated, and machinists are responsible for monitoring the machines and the quality of the output. Machinists are also responsible for producing small batches or making one-of-a-kind parts for prototypes or testing. If many more pieces are needed, they are often mass-produced using computer-controlled machines.

Industrial production managers plan, direct, and coordinate the production activities required to manufacture vehicles and vehicle components. Depending on the size of a manufacturing plant, industrial production managers may oversee the entire plant or just one area of it.

Education and Training

Manufacturing workers have a variety of skill levels. Most assembly positions require short-term on-the-job training to familiarize workers with production processes and with any equipment they use. Experienced assemblers may be promoted to supervisory positions after several years of working on the assembly line.

Computer-controlled machine tool operators are usually trained on the job. Machinists require more training, and they often learn their trade through an apprenticeship that lasts 3 to 5 years. Industrial production managers usually have at least a bachelor’s degree, typically in an engineering discipline, such as mechanical or industrial engineering, and several years of experience working in the automobile manufacturing industry.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have wage data specific to the electric vehicle industry. The table shows wages for selected manufacturing occupations in the transportation equipment manufacturing industry group for May 2010. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers	$29,470
Electromechanical equipment assemblers	$32,430
Engine and other machine assemblers	$47,440
Team assemblers	$32,500
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic	$35,580
Machinists	$40,810
Industrial production managers	$91,460

For more detailed information on manufacturing occupations in the electric vehicle industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Next Wednesday's electric vehicle industry series installment: Occupations in Electric Vehicle Maintenance

Green Jobs Series: Careers in Electric Vehicles [Installment Two]

Workers who design and develop electric automobile technology include engineers, engineering technicians, and drafters; software developers; and industrial designers. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes some of the most common jobs in design and development.

Occupations in Design and Development

Design and develop work is the link between scientific research and commercial applications. It takes place in offices, laboratories, or industrial plants, where teams of engineers, designers, scientists, and industrial production managers collaborate to create new processes or devices for the manufacture of electric vehicles—or to improve existing ones.

Job Duties

Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry to design or improve equipment or to devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products. Because the batteries of electric vehicles store power through chemical processes, chemical engineers are responsible for developing new battery designs and improving current battery technologies. They are also vital in designing equipment and processes for large-scale manufacturing and in planning and testing the methods of battery manufacturing.

Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical components. They are responsible for designing the electrical circuitry that allows a gas engine to charge the battery and distribute the electricity from the battery to the electric motor. Electrical engineers also might work on the heating and air-conditioning systems, vehicle lighting, and visual displays.

Electronics engineers design, develop, and test electronic components and systems for vehicles. These engineers are primarily focused on the control systems and additional electronic components for the vehicle.

Industrial engineers determine the most effective ways to use the basic factors of production—people, machines, materials, information, and energy—to manufacture vehicles. Because many electric vehicles require original manufacturing plans, industrial engineers design innovative manufacturing processes and retool plants that formerly made different models of cars.

Materials engineers are involved in the development, processing, and testing of materials used in electric vehicles. Materials engineers may also incorporate environmentally friendly materials that are derived from plant-based materials or recycled materials.

Mechanical engineers design, develop, and test the tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices in electric vehicles. These devices may be components of electric vehicles, or machines that are used in the manufacture or repair of these vehicles. These engineers may focus on engines, electric motors, or other mechanical devices, such as transmissions, drivetrains, or steering systems.

Mechanical engineering technicians assist engineers with solving technical problems in research, development, manufacturing, construction, inspection, and maintenance. They may also help engineers or scientists to make prototypes of newly designed equipment or assist with computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) equipment.

Mechanical drafters prepare detailed drawings, or visual guidelines, that show how to assemble machinery and mechanical devices. Most drafters use CADD systems to prepare drawings.

Software developers design and create software that controls the on-board computers in hybrid and electric vehicles, which produce and distribute the proper amount of electricity or gasoline to power the vehicle in given conditions, as well as when to use the engine to recharge the battery.

Commercial and industrial designers are responsible for the style, function, quality, and safety of vehicles. The designers prepare sketches or diagrams, usually with the aid of computers, and work with engineers and other designers to improve a design.

Education and Training

Engineers typically enter the electric vehicle industry with a bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering. However, some positions require previous experience or an advanced degree. Entry-level engineers may begin their career as an assistant to a more senior engineer until they develop the skills needed to work independently. Engineers are also expected to complete continuing education courses to keep up with rapidly changing technology.

Engineers are usually required to be certified in specific systems and technologies, depending on the systems used by a particular manufacturer. Licensure as a professional engineer (PE) is highly desired by employers and is often required for anything higher than an entry-level position.

Engineering technicians and drafters usually have an associate’s degree or certification from a community college or a technical school. Technicians and drafters participate in on-the-job training and are closely supervised by engineers.

Software developers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related discipline, combined with experience in computer programming and software design.

Commercial and industrial designers also typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering or industrial design, and they usually receive some on-the-job training.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have wage data specific to the electric vehicle industry. The table shows wages for selected engineers, mechanical engineering technicians, drafters, software developers, and commercial and industrial designers in the transportation equipment manufacturing industry group for May 2010. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Chemical engineers	$97,480
Electrical engineers	$87,580
Electronics engineers, except computer	$100,450
Industrial engineers	$77,160
Materials engineers	$89,000
Mechanical engineers	$81,290
Mechanical engineering technicians	$52,950
Mechanical drafters	$53,840
Software developers, applications	$94,680
Commercial and industrial designers	$67,790

For more detailed information on design and development occupations in the electric vehicle industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Thursday's electric vehicle industry series installment: Occupations in Manufacturing

Green Jobs Series: Careers in Electric Vehicles

Workers from a variety of educational and employment backgrounds are employed in the electric vehicle industry, such as the scientists who conduct research in electric drive technology, the manufacturing workers who build the vehicles, and the automotive maintenance technicians who repair the vehicles. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes some of the most common jobs in scientific research.

Occupations in Scientific Research

Scientists in this industry search for new knowledge and conduct research to improve electric vehicle technology. Both chemists and materials scientists conduct research on improving battery life and recharging time. Materials scientists also research and develop new materials for use in electric vehicles.

Scientists usually work in offices and laboratories. Research and development (R&D) scientists work in offices, where they do research, and they plan, record, and report on their lab research. Some laboratories are small, and others are large enough to incorporate prototype chemical manufacturing facilities and advanced testing equipment. Scientists often work with engineers and processing specialists in industrial manufacturing facilities.

Job Duties

Chemists investigate the properties, composition, and structure of matter, and the laws that govern the reactions of substances to each other. Using this knowledge, chemists working on electric vehicles find new chemicals to use in batteries or ways to make existing batteries work better. They work closely with engineers and other scientists to develop new batteries and other technologies.

Materials scientists study the structures and chemical properties of various materials to develop new products or enhance existing ones. For electric vehicles, materials scientists are heavily involved in battery research, but also develop materials for other parts of the vehicle. For example, some electric vehicles have interior components, such as seats and upholstery, made out of plant-based and recycled materials that were developed by materials scientists.

Education and Training

A doctoral degree is a necessity for scientists who conduct original research and develop new products. However, other scientific workers may find jobs with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Computer skills are essential for scientists to perform data analysis, integration, modeling, and testing. Certification or licensure is not necessary for most of these scientists.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have wage data specific to the electric vehicle industry. The table shows wages for selected scientist occupations for May 2010. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Chemists	$68,320
Materials scientists	$84,720

For more detailed information on scientific research occupations the electric vehicle industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Next Wednesday's electric vehicle industry series installment: Occupations in Design and Development

Green Jobs Series: Careers in Wind Energy [Installment 3]

Erecting wind turbines requires the efforts of many skilled workers, such as construction laborers, construction equipment operators, crane operators, and electricians. In today’s green jobs series installment, we will focus on construction jobs in the project development phase of the wind power industry.

Wind Power Construction Jobs

Many development and construction companies use both their own specialized construction workers and local contractors. Under the supervision of more experienced wind-industry workers, local construction firms prepare the site, erect the wind turbines, and connect them to the utility company's power grid.

Job Duties

Construction laborers often work on wind farms as contractors and are responsible for preparing the site and building the surrounding infrastructure. Their work includes clearing trees and debris from the wind farm, cleaning machines, and helping to break up the ground on which the turbine will rest. Construction workers employed by companies that specialize in developing wind farms are sometimes in supervisory roles.

Construction equipment operators, with the help of construction laborers, are responsible for building accessible roads directly to the construction site, helping ensure that the wind turbine components can arrive without damage or delay. They use bulldozers, road graders, and other equipment to set up the construction site.

Crane operators are necessary in building a wind farm because the components are so large. They use their cranes to lift the pieces of the turbine off the trucks as they arrive, as well as stack the tower segments and lift the blades to the hub.

Electricians are needed to get the energy from the turbine's generator to the power grid on the ground. They wire the turbine to connect its electrical system to the power grid.

Education and Training

Although some construction laborer jobs have no specific education or training requirements, some construction workers receive more formal training in the form of apprenticeships. Many construction laborers' skills are learned on-the-job and by assisting more experienced workers.

Construction equipment operators and crane operators learn their skills through on-the-job training, apprenticeships, or, for some, union instruction. In addition, the operators are expected to be certified to operate their equipment.

Most electricians learn their trade through apprenticeship programs that combine on-the-job training with related classroom instruction. Depending on the state, electricians might have to pass an examination that tests their knowledge of electrical theory, as well as national, state, and local electrical and building codes.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have wage data specific to construction occupations that involve working on wind farms. However, the earnings of workers in these occupations are comparable to those of workers in the construction sector as a whole. The earnings in the following table are for workers in the construction of power and communication lines and related structures, which include wind turbines.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Construction laborers	$29,110
Construction equipment operators	$39,530
Crane operators	$47,170
Electricians	$49,800

For more detailed information on wind power construction occupations, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Tomorrow's final wind energy series installment: Wind Turbine Service Technicians