Clean Energy Career Map

Jobs in Green Buildings include construction practices or operations that achieve high building performance and conservation of resources and can include:

  • Energy Auditor
  • Air Sealing Technician
  • Facilities Manager
  • HVAC Technician

Why do we need new people in this field? 

Denver has a goal to electrify and improve energy efficiency in its homes. This will involve replacing aging and inefficient furnaces with heat pumps. Denver will need a skilled workforce to make those replacements. We wanted to find out how many more residential contractors we will need to meet the growing demand for heat pumps. We funded a study to find out. To hit our collective climate goals, the number of HVAC contractors skilled with heat pumps must grow by 23.6% every year.

Read the full report

Jobs in Clean Energy can be any occupation that is affected by activities such as conserving energy, developing alternative energy, reducing pollution, or recycling and can include Solar or Wind Turbine Technician, Building Engineer, and Energy Manager.

  • This industry accounts for 40% of total energy jobs
  • 9% growth per year in solar energy jobs
  • In demand job titles:
    • Solar Installation Technician
    • Wind Farm Technician
    • Energy Auditor

Green Buildings

Entry-Level Green Buildings Job

Projected Job Growth between 2020 to 2030:
  • 68%
Potential Job Titles:
  • Residential Energy Auditor
  • Energy Efficiency Sales Representative
  • Insulation/Air Sealing Technician
  • Energy Efficiency Technician
Median Annual Salary:
  • $40,000
Top Desired Skills or Credentials
  • Little to no professional experience required
  • Ability to bend, stoop, or crouch
  • Other skills or credentials may be required, for example:
    • Highschool Diploma or GED
    • Basic Math skills
    • Basic construction skills, mechanical and electrical
    • Ability to lift and /or move 50 lbs
Where can you tap into training?
  • Groundwork Denver: Home Energy Efficiency Internship
    • The Home Energy Efficiency Intern will go to in-home visits with the Energy Audit Team to investigate needed upgrade regarding insulation, air sealing, appliances, heating systems, and other energy features of the home
    • Compensation: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour depending on experience
    • Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from approximately 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., with some varying days and hours. The average hours per week are expected to be 15-24 hours. The internship duration is approximately 3 months.
    • Opportunity to take foundational classes in BPI certification program, with tuition expenses paid

Learn more about Groundwork Denver Home Energy Efficiency Internship

  • BuildStrong Academy: 
    • Youth Construction Apprenticeship and Construction Skills Bootcamp Denver
    • 4-8 weeks
    • Scholarships available, $50 refundable deposit required
    • Resulting credentials: OSHA -10 and HBI Pre-apprenticeship certification

Learn more about Youth Construction Apprenticeship 

Mid-Level Green Buildings Job

Projected Job Growth between 2020 to 2030:
  •  52%
Potential Job Titles:
  • Energy Auditor
  • Certified Home Energy Rater
  • Building Maintenance Technician
  • Mid-Level Facility Manager
Median Annual Salary:
  • $55,000-$65,000
Top Desired Skills or Credentials
  • 6 months to 2 years of professional experience
  • Other skills or credentials may be required, for example
    • High School Diploma or GED
    • GPS Surveying Experience
    • Building Performance Institute Certification
    • Knowledge of current building codes, including IRC and IECC
    • Certified HERS Rater
Where can you tap into training?
  • International Facilities Management Association (IFMA): 
    • Facility Management Pre-Apprenticeship
    • Paid training $15/hr – 26 weeks
    • Classes Monday & Wednesday from 5-6:30pm
    • Resulting credentials:
      • Essentials of Facility Management Certification
      • Essentials of Sustainable Facility Management Certification
      • OSHA-10 hour

Learn more about Facility Management Pre-Apprenticeship

  • WORKNOW
    • Trainings available in:
      • Introduction to Green Construction
      • Building Science
      • Introduction to Solar
      • Electric Vehicle Installation and Maintenance
      • Compliance with Denver Energy Code
    • Stipend eligible

Learn more about WORKNOW

Advanced Green Buildings Job

Projected Annual Job Growth: 
  • 9%
Potential Job Titles:
  • Facilities Management Supervisor
  • HVAC Technician
  • Retrofit Installer
  • Journeyperson/Mechanic
  • Building Performance/Weatherization Crew Leader
  • Building Engineer
  • Sustainable Construction Supervisor
  • HVAC Contractor with heat pump design expertise
Median Annual Salary:
  • $85,000-$110,000
Top Desired Skills or Credentials
  • 4-10 years of professional experience
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Strong knowledge of
    • Residential weatherizing
    • Insulation
    • Air sealing techniques and technology
  • Experience Working with Teams, Bidding, Project Management
  • Post-secondary technical training
  • Other skills or credentials may be required, for example:
    • Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
    • Building Science Principles (BSP) Certificate
    • OSHA 10 or OSHA 30
    • Ability to read and understand blueprints and schematics
    • HERS Rater Certification
    • BPI Building Analyst Certification
Where can you tap into training?
  • Julius Education: Cold Climate Heat Pump Installation Training
    • Paid training

Learn more about Cold Climate Heat Pump Installation Training

  • BuildStrong Academy:
    • Construction Management
    • 6 months
    • $3,600, scholarships available
    • Resulting credentials:
      • OSHA 10 or 30
      • Construction Superintendent (18 credits) or
      • Construction Estimating (16 credits)

Learn more about Construction Management 

Clean Energy

Entry-Level Clean Energy Job

Projected Job Growth between 2020 to 2030:
  • 68%
Potential Job Titles:
  • Wind Turbine Technician
  • Solar Assembler
  • Solar Installer
Median Annual Salary:
  • $40,000
Top Desired Skills or Credentials
  • Little to no professional experience required
  • Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
  • Basic construction skills, mechanical and electrical
  • Ability to bend, stoop, or crouch
  • Ability to lift and /or move 50 lbs
Where can you tap into training?
  • Solar Energy International (SEI): Solar Installation Training modules
    • Online, hands-on, classroom training and certifications in solar energy
    • Class length vary, typically 1 month duration
    • Prices vary, typically $500-$1,000

Learn more about Solar Installation Training Modules

  • Basics in Electrical Construction: BuildStrong Academy
    • 4 weeks
    • $300, scholarships available
    • HBI Electrical Pre-apprenticeship certification

Learn more about Basics in Electrical Construction

  • GRID Alternatives: Solar Installation Basics Training and Solar Training Academy–
    • Paid 16/hour
    • 2-5 week training
    • Resulting credentials:
      • OSHA-10
      • CPR/First Aid
      • Prepare for NABCEP certification

Learn more about Solar Installation Basics Training

Learn more about Solar Training Academy

  • ACE Denver Chapter: Exposure to construction/engineering
    • 17-week program

Learn more about ACE Denver Chapter

Mid-Level Clean Energy Job

Projected Job Growth between 2020 to 2030:
  • 52%
Potential Job Titles:
  • Solar Installation Technician
  • Solar System Designer, Energy Auditor
  • Renewable Energy Developer
Median Annual Salary: 
  • $55,000-$65,000
Top Desired Skills or Credentials
  • 6 months to 2 years of professional experience
  • Knowledge of:
    • Sustainability
    • Energy efficiency
    • Green building principles
    • Particular knowledge of heating, cooling and ventilation (HVAC) systems
  • Other skills or credentials may be required, for example:
    • Building Science Principles (BSP) Certificate
    • Air Leakage Control Installer
    • Infiltration and Duct Leakage Certifications
    • Journey-level electrician or technical
Where can you tap into training?
  • GRID Alternatives: SolarCorps Fellowship
    • 11 months paid training in solar installation and maintenance
    • Resulting credentials:
      • OSHA 10
      • CPR/First Aid

Learn more about SolarCorps Fellowship

  • Mile High Youth Corps: MHYC Energy & Water Corp
    • Service terms of 3-12 months or 300 and 1700 hours
    • AmeriCorps paid training in installation of energy and water-saving measures
    • Resulting Credentials:
      • BSP Certification
      • DOL approved pre-apprenticeship Environmental Specialist Certificate
      • Americorps Education Award

Learn more about MHYC Energy & Water Corp

  • SunTalk Solar: Electrician Registered  Apprenticeship
    • 8000 hours of paid on the job learning
    • Training hours to apply towards DORA licensing

Learn more about Electrician Registered Apprenticeship

  • Energy Advantage: Solar Technician Registered Apprenticeship
    • 4000 hours of paid on the job learning
    • NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certificate
    • OSHA certificate
    • US Department of Labor Certificate of Completion

Learn more about Solar Technician Registered Apprenticeship

  • African American Trade Association: Electrician Registered Apprenticeship

Learn more about Electrician Registered Apprenticeship

Advanced Clean Energy Job

Projected Annual Job Growth: 
  • 9%
Potential Job Titles: 
  • Solar Crew Lead
  • System Operator - Electric Utility
  • Electrical Estimator
  • Energy Project Developer
  • Energy Manager
  • Building Engineer
Median Annual Salary: 
  • $85,000-$110,000
Top Desired Skills or Credentials
  • 4-10 years of professional experience
  • Post-secondary technical training
  • Experience Working with Teams, Bidding, Project Management
  • Other skills or credentials may be required, for example:
    • Building Science Principles (BSP) Certificate
    • OSHA 10 or OSHA 3
    • Ability to read and understand blueprints and schematics
    • HERS Rater Certification
Where can you tap into training?
  • GRID Alternatives: Solar Accelerator Internship
    • Paid training
    • 1 year
    • Resulting credentials: NABCEP Associates

Learn more about Solar Accelerator Internship

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Contact

Shannon Jahn

Green Workforce Lead 

Jessmine Anderson

Green Workforce Program Manager

Email Us

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