Environmental Jobs: Environmental Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree

August 19, 2012 in Environmental Jobs, Environmental Science Jobs, Green Careers, Green Jobs with 4 Comments

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A College Degree Is Not Necessary to Become a Hazardous Waste Technician – Image from FirefighterNation.com

You want an environmental green job, but you don’t necessarily want to spend the tens of thousands of dollars required for a green education. The average college debt in 2011 was $23,300, and with tuition continuing to rise, going to college – or going back to college – is becoming harder and harder to do. However, plenty of environmental jobs don’t always require a college degree, so you can be a step closer to claiming your desired green job in no time.

Here are five environmental jobs that are open to workers who don’t have a college degree.

Natural Gas Technician: Technical institutes usually offer one-year certificate programs that provide technical training in installing field equipment, conducting scientific tests and monitoring drilling activities.

Green Construction Scheduler: Community colleges offer certificate programs that teach you how to use contractor software, contract law and blue prints and technical specifications. You should have some background in a construction-related field.

Environmental Field Technician: Technical institutes offer non-degree training on how to collect samples of water, soil and air; erect equipment to monitor pollution levels; and prepare reports that explain test results. Some entry-level jobs in this field actually only require a high school diploma or GED.

Hazardous Waste Technician: Many organizations, companies and agencies offer training programs approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In fact, many workers who treat lead and asbestos complete training programs that are sponsored by employers and meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. Nuclear decontamination work requires a license obtained by completing 40 hours of training, in compliance with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Safety Coordinator: Community and technical colleges offer one-year certificate programs in occupational safety. Some companies actually accept entry-level job seekers who do not have formal education in the field. They simply receive on-the-job training on how to ensure that employees comply with workplace safety standards.

By YaShekia King

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About YaShekia King: YaShekia King, of Indianapolis, Ind., began writing professionally in 2003. Her work has appeared in several print and online publications including the “South Bend Tribune,”Ehow.com, Wisegeek.com and “Clouds Across the Stars,” an international book. King holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ball State University. She also is a licensed real estate agent, is a clinical certified dental assistant and is completing her master’s degree in human resource management through DeVry University. Connect with YaShekia on YaShekia King

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