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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Apprenticeable energy occupations include: • Electricians • Pipelayers • Power Plant Operators • Load Dispatchers For more information, visit:
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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. B = Bachelor’s Degree, G = Graduate Degree, C = Concentration/Certificate
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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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