GreenLocalJobs.com is proud to announce the launching of its Portland, Oregon featured webpage.

Featured Articles from Interviews Conducted with Local Portland Experts

TOM BREUNIG
Director Of Marketing And Communications
Earth Advantage Institute
• Any job can be green. Look for opportunities to make an environmental impact in careers that are not traditionally thought of as green.
• Energy efficiency is vital to the growth of green building industry because it is very cost effective. Retrofitting residential and commercial buildings can save significantly on energy costs.

Earth Advantage Institute offers certification, education, research, and technical services to the growing green building industry. Tom Breunig, Director of Marketing and Communications, pointed out the Earth Advantage Institute's role in sustainable construction. Green building classes are offered for builders, real estate professionals, appraisers, and lenders. Multiple types of certification can be acquired through the Institute.

In addition, this organization, conducts research into new techniques and practices in sustainable building. The Portland area is a national leader in green building technologies and a great place to learn this growing trade.

JENN BILDERSEE
Program Coordinator
Portland Brownfield Program
• A variety specializations, including biology, chemistry, real estate, urban planning and public policy can lead to a career in managing contaminated site cleanup programs.
• Find internships in public and private organizations if you are looking for specialized environmental careers such as brownfield development.

Brownfields are empty lots seen in every city that may or may not contain pollutants and contaminants. Jenn Bildersee coordinates the Brownfield Program for the city of Portland, Oregon and helps the public report, identify and test these lots for contaminants such as PCBs, petroleum, lead or arsenic. Often, the tests come back negative and the owner of the property is free to use it without worrying about harmful pollutants. When a brownfield tests positive, the city can direct the owner to the proper resources for removal of the pollutants.

Portland was the first of many city governments to test brownfields. City government will always have a need for environmental education, environmental cleanup programs, and environmental code enforcement. Cities need dedicated professionals to insure the quality of life and health of its citizens.

STACY HOLTMANN
Office Manager
Ecotrust
• Focus on one area that you want to get involved with. If you are too broad in your search you will overwhelm yourself and it will be harder for organizations to find the right fit for you. By focusing on one area you differentiate yourself.
• Networking opportunities abound if you get involved with a project or an issue. The more meaningful events will be harder to find, but much more worthwhile. There are groups that you can get involved with that have networking nights such as Net Impact, or Oregon Environmental Council.

Ecotrust's mission is to "innovate, invest, and inspire in ways that create reliable prosperity," and they have an impressive list of innovative green programs that do just that.

These programs are run by committed environmental professionals, such as Stacy Holtmann, in the Portland Oregon Ecotrust office. In addition to marine and forestry programs, Ecotrust runs a local food-to-farms program that creates a sustainable local food economy by connecting regional agriculture to schools.

SANDY PICKARD
Business Manager
Solar Energy International
• Take classes at Solar Energy International. Workshops are offered in solar, thermal, green building, and even hydro technologies. Classes are offered in twelve locations around the US.
• Roofers can improve their skills by taking classes in solar energy installation.
• Solar energy installation and commercial size energy efficiency projects are the hottest areas of green technology.

Solar Energy International has been providing education in solar and other renewable energy technologies for 20 years. They have become one of the premiere institutions for accredited renewable energy workshops and offer classes in a number of locations.

Business manager Sandy Pickard highlighted the important work this non-profit does through their educational mission. Solar Energy International has expanded to include workshops in solar electric, solar thermal, micro-hydro, and wind energy. Classes are also offered online.

CHRIS STEVENS
Communications Director
Center For A Sustainable Future
• Organic farms offer volunteer positions, and can be good places to learn renewable agriculture.
• Iowa State University has a great educational resource: The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State is a great place to learn about the newest advances in sustainable agriculture.
• Another excellent resource, The Stone Barn Center, (north of Manhattan) is a non-profit education center and farm. They offer education for sustainable agriculture.

The Center for a Livable Future (CLF) at John's Hopkins university works in research, educational outreach, and community action targeted at "farming, eating, and living for our future." As Communication Manager for the CLF, Chris Stevens works daily in support of these goals.

Sustainable, or resilient, farming has recently gained exposure with the continued environmental and health problems associated with factory farming. In essence, much of sustainable farming is really a "return to traditional farming," Chris explained. In traditional, or sustainable, farming, animals are not raised in a factory environment in very confined spaces and large amounts of dangerous antibiotics and pesticides are avoided.