Energy Careers

ENERGY Energy has always played a key economic role in Colorado, with vast resources in both fossil (oil,

• Microbiologists

natural gas and coal) and renewable resources (wind,

• Computer & Information Scientists

solar and biomass). Today our energy economy is

• Petroleum Engineers

undergoing a huge transformation. Labs, universities

• Geoscientists • Electrical Engineers • Cartographers & Photogrammetrists • Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics

and private companies are actively researching, developing and delivering energy through every natural resource we have. There are many energy jobs for today and tomorrow in Colorado!

• Supervisors of Construction Trades & Extraction Workers • Electrical Power-Line Installers & Repairers • Gas Plant Operators • Maintenance & Repair Workers • Electricians • Construction Laborers • Oil & Gas Roustabouts • Excavating & Loading Machine & Dragline Operators • Wellhead Pumpers • Pipelayers

Did you know? Many careers traditionally associated with Construction make up a large proportion of Green Jobs. Green Jobs protect the environment & ensure energy security.

Step 1: Identify your interests

Compare your interests, skills and work values with Energy occupations using Labor Market Information’s Career Explorer: Visit www.coworkforce.com/lmigateway

• Click on “Services for Individuals”

• Choose “Career Services” This will take you to “Career Explorer” where you can match your skills to occupations.

Step 2: Explore the Energy industry & careers

Learn about high-growth, in-demand careers and what they pay on the LMI Gateway website: www.coworkforce.com/lmigateway For more information on a career in Energy, check out www.careervoyages.gov

Step 3: Find education, training & financial aid options Discover the best education or training institutions for your career goals and how to get money for school at www.collegeincolorado.org

Step 4: Find available job openings www.connectingcolorado.com

Carrie Eckert

Postdoctoral Fellow, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, CO Most of Carrie’s days at NREL are spent planning and performing experiments under the guidance of an advisor.

As a postdoctoral fellow, her job is like an internship following her Ph.D. She researches possible uses of algae as a biofuel, performing genetic manipulation and protein purification and analysis. Someday, she hopes her research will allow people to use algae’s hydrogen production as a renewable and clean source of energy.

The best part of Carrie’s job is the thrill of seeing something that no one else has ever seen. She loves problemsolving and being involved in such an important area of study – renewable energy.

Carrie says that upper-level high school science classes gave her a valuable head start on college courses, which eventually led to her career.

Who do you want to be tomorrow?

Occupation

Average Hourly/Annual Wage

Microbiologists

$40.27 / $83,760

Computer & Information Scientists

$45.45 / $94,531

Petroleum Engineers

$70.66 / $146,963

Geoscientists

Minimum Education/Training

Suggested Programs of Study

Doctoral Degree

Microbiology, Physics

Doctoral Degree

Computer Science

Bachelor's Degree

Petroleum Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geophysical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Natural Resources Management

$49.07 / $102,074

Bachelor's Degree

Environmental Studies, with a Concentration on Energy, Physics, Geology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Engineering

Electrical Engineers

$40.04 / $83,288

Bachelor's Degree

Electrical Engineering

Cartographers & Photogrammetrists

$32.66 / $67,933

Bachelor's Degree

Geography &/or Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Surveying & Mapping

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics

$21.92 / $45,594

Supervisors of Construction Trades & Extraction Workers

$29.34 / $61,025

Related work experience

Electrical Power-Line Installers & Repairers

$26.83 / $55,804

At least 1 year of on-the-job training

Certificates through Unions & Utilities

Gas Plant Operators

$31.19 / $64,868

At least 1 year of on-the-job training

Process Technology - Energy Operations

Maintenance & Repair Workers

$17.43 / $36,257

At least 1 year of on-the-job training

Industrial Maintenance Technologies

Electricians

$22.25 / $46,270

At least 1 year of on-the-job training

Electrician

Construction Laborers

$14.10 / $29,332

Oil & Gas Roustabouts

$16.95 / $35,263

Investigate growth, structure, development & other characteristics of microscopic organisms & study the effects which antibiotics have on them; often work in the biofuels industry.

Conduct research into fundamental computer & information science as theorists, designers or inventors. Solve problems of computer hardware & software. May include project management.

Devise ways to improve oil/gas production & determine needs for new/modified tool designs. Oversee drilling/offer technical advice, achieving economical & satisfactory progress.

Study the composition, structure & other physical aspects of the earth in exploration for oil, gas, minerals or underground water.

Design, develop or supervise manufacturing/installation of electrical equipment, components or systems for commercial, industrial, military or scientific use. In high demand in all sectors of Energy.

Collect, analyze & interpret geographic information provided by surveys, aerial photographs & satellite data. Research, study & prepare maps/other spatial data; work with GIS.

Post-secondary vocational training

Diesel Power Mechanics

Diagnose, adjust, repair or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic & pneumatic equipment used in construction, logging & surface mining in oil & gas & mining.

Construction Management

Directly supervise & coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.

Also known as "linemen," install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles & light or heavy duty transmission towers. In high demand in Utilities.

Distribute or process gas for utility companies & others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.

Keep machines, mechanical equipment or the structure of an establishment in repair. All Energy sectors depend upon machines & mechanical equipment.

In accordance with relevant codes install, maintain & repair electrical wiring, equipment & fixtures including street lights, intercom systems or electrical control systems.

1-12 months on-the-job training

Renewable Energy Technology, Construction Technology Technician

1-12 months on-the-job training

Process Technology - Energy Operations

1-12 months on-the-job training

Construction Technology Technician

1-12 months on-the-job training

Process Technology - Energy Operations

1-12 months on-the-job training

Apprenticeship

Perform physical labor tasks at construction sites. Install energy efficiency systems in homes & businesses to reduce energy consumption.

Assemble or repair oil field equipment using hand/power tools. Perform other tasks as needed.

Excavating & Loading Machine & Dragline Operators

$20.19 / $41,995

Operate or tend machinery equipped with scoops, shovels or buckets, to excavate & load loose materials.

Wellhead Pumpers

$23.75 / $49,392

Operate power pumps & auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in the field.

Pipelayers

$19.01 / $39,536

Lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains & water mains. May grade trenches or culverts, position pipe or seal joints. Necessary for construction of refineries of petroleum-based fuels & biofuels.

Brian Carmichael

Line Crew Foreman for Xcel Energy The best parts of Brian’s job as line crew foreman are working outdoors, getting to move around and doing something different every day. In a typical day, Brian will report to a service center and get his jobs for the day from his supervisor. He’ll then take off in a two-man crew to perform maintenance and service activities, such as rewiring a new house or changing out a bad insulator.

He’ll also get trouble calls – sometimes several a day – to respond to things such as a bad transformer or a customer concerned about a low wire.

While he really likes the job and variety, he offers one caution. “You’ve got to like the weather – and not just the months when it’s perfect. If you do, then this is a good job to have.”

To learn more about occupations & resources, visit www.MetroDenverCareers.com

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The Emily Griffith Opportunity School offers an Electrician apprenticeship: www.egos-school.com/ apprenticeships/public/electrician

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* CU Boulder also offers certificates in Energy at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. ** CSU is launching the School of Global Environmental Sustainability, which in the future will offer certificates and graduate degrees for students of all disciplines in the triple-bottom-line of sustainability: environment, social equity and economy.

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C = Certificate, A = Associate Degree This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded under the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration working in partnership with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, and the City and County of Denver’s Office of Economic Development. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This solution is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.

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