Career Center
Welcome to USGBC-CA's Career Center!
Welcome to USGBC-CA's Career Center!
Whether you’re entering the green workforce or looking to upskill, our Career Center offers training, certification support, and career connections designed to help you thrive in the sustainability sector.
On this page:
Build Your Skills
Already a part of the green building community? We’re here to help you stay ahead of the curve. Our advanced training programs are designed to enhance your existing skillset and keep you updated with the latest industry trends and technologies.
Our Trainings Include
Ready to take the first step towards a sustainable future in green building and environmental practices? Explore our comprehensive training programs today and be a part of the change for a greener, more sustainable world.
The January 2025 LA Wildfires underscored the growing scale of climate-driven disasters. As communities rebuild, how we rebuild matters. This training offers practical guidance on implementing the Wildfire Rebuilding Guide and best practices for resilient, sustainable rebuilding.
Developed by USGBC-CA with support from Arup and the Wildfire Defense Advisory Committee, the guide helps homeowners and building professionals make critical early decisions after wildfire. This certificate supports those rebuilding fire-affected communities or strengthening their skills in resilient, green design and construction.
Learning Objectives
- Identify wildfire risks and site vulnerabilities
- Apply defensible-space landscaping strategies
- Specify fire-resistant materials and assemblies
- Design for emergency access, water resilience, and energy resilience
- Align wildfire resilience with green building goals
Designed for both landscape and construction professionals, the program delivers real-world strategies to reduce wildfire risk in homes and landscapes through fire-wise design, materials, maintenance, and coordinated site planning.
Topics include:
Understanding wildfire behavior; Think Home First; Defensible Space Zones; hardscape strategies; defensible landscape design; strategic tree canopy planning; fire-risk–reducing maintenance; post-fire recovery; and the role of community organizing in safety, preparedness, and funding.
Wildfire Defense Certificate for Landscape Professionals
Focused on landscape-based risk reduction strategies that strengthen defensible space and long-term resilience.
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Wildfire Defense Certificate for Construction Professionals
Focused on fire-wise building practices and integrated site strategies to reduce wildfire exposure.
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An engaging course on green, high-performing buildings and their role in addressing climate change. Explore how building design, operations, materials, and location influence environmental and community outcomes, while gaining insight into the growing green jobs sector. Participants who pass a 25-question exam will receive a certificate of completion.
Learning Objectives
- Understand climate change and the built environment’s role in contributing to it
- Apply strategies to reduce emissions and improve energy, water, waste, materials, and indoor environmental quality
- Explore the range of green jobs supporting high-performance buildings
- Learn about leading green building rating systems, including LEED, WELL, LBC, and BREEAM
California faces some of the most severe climate impacts in the world, making climate adaptation and resilience essential to protecting communities, ecosystems, and the built environment. This training explores how targeted adaptation actions reduce climate risk and strengthen long-term resilience.
The course equips professionals who work with residents, homeowners, property managers, and building owners with practical strategies to improve building resilience to the growing impacts of climate change—supporting California’s path to a carbon-neutral economy and placing workers at the center of this transition.
Content focuses on the short- and long-term impacts of extreme heat on worker and community health, along with proven mitigation, adaptation, and resilience strategies, including best practices for home improvements that reduce heat-related risks.
Career Pathways
Looking to switch careers into sustainability? Our programs are built to support those new to green building with essential skills, mentorship, and real-world projects.
Professionals Directory
Join our free directory to boost your visibility in the sustainability community.
Benefits include:
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Greater industry exposure
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Networking opportunities
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Credibility boost
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Collaboration potential
Featured Employers
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CIM Group
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Leading Edge
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HDR
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Hathaway Dinwiddie
Hathaway Dinwiddie is one of the most respected construction companies in California. For over a century, they have helped the nation’s premier corporations and institutions develop landmark buildings throughout California.
Upcoming Events + Trainings
Get Ready: 1,000+ Green Leaders Unite! USGBC-CA’s California Green Building Conference is the state’s premier gathering for sustainability leaders, innovators, and changemakers. More than 1,000 professionals from across industries, including architecture, design, engineering, construction, policy, education, and community leadership, come together under one roof for a dynamic day of networking, learning, and inspiration. In one powerful day, […]
Additional Resources
Our additional resources are designed to enrich your learning journey and empower your sustainable endeavors!
