Take Advantage Of The Opportunity

Experience is one important factor every employer wants. They want to hire people who are competent, confident and can hit the ground running. The environmental disaster recovery industry is no different. The Louisiana Oil Spill clean up could spawn thousands of temporary jobs. The long-term opportunity lies in the fact that the cleanup workers must get hazardous material clean up/disposal training (Hazmat) before any oil can be cleaned. My goal here is show job seekers how to leverage this disaster recovery experience and training into a new career.

Take Action

1. Decide if an environmental disaster recovery career is for you: The environmental disaster industry is not filled with easy or plush office jobs. It may mean working outdoors for long hours in hazardous conditions after earthquakes, floods, oil/chemical spills and terrorist attacks in remote areas around the world. These jobs will have a strong appeal for those who like physicallydemanding work. 

 

2. Get educated and trained:  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental technicians (disaster recovery is under this general category)will be one of the fastest growing career fields over the next 10 years due to high growth.If you are interested in a long-term job opportunity, getting additional education and training could be a good investment. There are accredited college degree programs in estimating, environmental management and safety which include advanced Hazmat classes. Applicants who complete these programs are in high demand by law enforcement, industrial firms and relief agencies. There are also certifications like CHMM. CHMP and HMMT  and training programs from EPA and OSHA  which could enhance long-term career aspects.  (Is It Worth the Green E-book) 

 

3. Document Your Experience: Make sure you add all of your significant achievements and training to your resume. If you are in a volunteer status, get a letter on your volunteer organization’s letterhead which acknowledges your time of service and duties. Information like this will become important for future interviews. (Resume Writing Services)

 

4. Network, Network Network: Disaster Response professionals and volunteers work all over the world. Many of them have connections to non-profit organizations and companies who can offer future employment. Get business cards and contact information from project managers, supervisors and government officials so you can build relationships and leverage their network contacts.( Join Hinton Human Capital Mail List)

  

Suggested Reading And Websites

Special Report: 3 Hot Environmental Certifications For Future Disaster, Environmental and Oil Spill Hazards

Institute of Hazardous Material Management

11 Infrastructure Jobs You Can Get Without a 4 Year College Degree

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Job Hunt.Org

Is It Worth The Green?

Green Career Central

hintons (264 Posts)

Hinton Human Capital is quickly becoming a trusted talent acquistion partner to civil and environmental industry.