In today's rapidly evolving landscape, where environmental sustainability is more critical than ever, the convergence of public health principles and the renewable energy transition offers an abundance of exciting career pathways.
Are you intrigued by the prospect of leading transformative shifts while prioritising the health and well-being of both communities and individuals? If so, you’ve come to the right place, as we discuss the top ten careers for Public Health Graduates in the renewable energy transition.
In the second part of our ‘Renewable Energy, Renewable Careers’ blog series, we're illuminating the many opportunities awaiting public health graduates as they step into the realm of Australia's ambitious drive towards decarbonisation and a future powered by renewable energy.
10 Jobs for Public Health Graduates in the Clean Energy Transition
Renewable Energy Project Lead
We’re looking toward a future where renewable energy projects feature across the Australian landscape, from bustling cities to remote communities. As a renewable energy project leader, you can use your public health lens to ensure community wellbeing in relation to these transformative projects. Part of this diverse role would involve assessing and managing potential health risks associated with renewable energy developments. By ensuring that renewable energy ventures consider aspects of human and environmental health, these roles will be vital in the expansion of the digital grid.
Potential employers: Energy providers, renewable energy companies, government agencies with energy and sustainability focuses.
Community Engagement Coordinator
With your public health foundation, you hold a powerful voice in engaging with communities in the journey to decarbonisation. As you seek to create a healthier world by marrying environmental and public health concerns, this role will allow you to facilitate innovative events and programs, act as an advisor to your company regarding community considerations in the clean energy transition and provide a platform for community concerns to be heard and understood in relation to clean energy projects.
Potential employers: Local councils, sustainability non-profit organisations, renewable energy companies
Implementation Scientist
As an Implementation Scientist in the renewable energy transition, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless adoption, scaling, and integration of renewable energy technologies, policies, and programs. This role will allow you to design and execute evidence-based strategies that drive the renewable energy transition forward, helping provide frameworks that allow the successful scaling of renewable energy projects. Your understanding of implementation science means you can engage communities meaningfully, helping businesses understand their needs and preferences, and tailoring renewable energy initiatives to fit local contexts.
Potential employers: Energy research institutes, universities, government agencies promoting renewable energy adoption, renewable energy companies.
Green Infrastructure Executive
As renewable energy projects evolve, a strategic vision is vital. This is where the role of a green infrastructure executive shines. Your public health insights blend with environmental awareness to shape sustainable, health-conscious projects. By weaving renewable energy into the fabric of communities, you help ensure a future where public and environmental health are considered in development decisions.
Potential employers: Environmental consulting firms, urban planning and design companies and consultancies, local councils.
Renewable Energy Epidemiologist
Numbers tell stories, and renewable energy epidemiologists will be the storytellers of the future. Delving into data through a public health lens, those working in this role will help uncover the health narrative of renewable energy adoption. Your insights will guide evidence-based decisions that protect communities and propel us towards a healthier, cleaner future.
Potential employers: Public health research companies, environmental health organisations, energy research institutes, government agencies with energy and sustainability focuses.
Community Resilience Advocate
Community Resilience Advocates will play a pivotal role in fostering community engagement, building partnerships, and promoting the alignment of renewable energy initiatives with community resilience goals. You’ll help empower communities to proactively embrace renewable energy solutions while equipping them with the knowledge and tools to adapt to changing circumstances and disruptions.
Potential employers: Consulting firms, environmental and sustainability advocacy groups, local councils and governments, community organisations.
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Officer
The wheels of electricity are turning, and you're steering the course as an electric vehicle infrastructure officer. Your public health knowledge is key in the transportation revolution, where electric vehicles and alternative fuels will take centre-stage. This role will see you help secure good outcomes for EV drivers and EVC members through engagement with governments and agencies developing programs surrounding EV uptake and driver behaviour. Through regulatory advocacy and visionary planning, this role will help open a path towards cleaner air and healthier mobility.
Potential employers: Electric vehicle manufacturers and distributors, energy companies, government agencies promoting EV adoption and government transport agencies.
Renewable Energy Impact Assessor
A renewable energy impact assessor, armed with public health knowledge, will help foresee and mitigate the effects of clean energy projects on communities. Public health practitioners can conduct health impact assessments to evaluate how the transition to renewable energy may influence the well-being of local communities. These assessments help identify potential risks and benefits, enabling policymakers and stakeholders to make informed decisions that prioritise public health.
Potential employers: Environmental consulting firms, developers working on renewable projects, government agencies, engineering companies.
Clean Energy Health Educator
Education is a catalyst for transformation. As a clean energy health educator, you will help bridge knowledge gaps between renewable energy and public health. Educating communities about the health benefits of clean energy adoption to ensure a smooth and just transition to the digital grid. By spreading knowledge and empowerment, Clean Energy Health Educators can create a more informed and proactive society.
Potential employers: Health and wellness organisations, educational institutions, public health agencies with sustainability programs, non-profit organisations.
Renewable Energy Policy Specialist
Social policies shape health, and renewable energy policy specialist will act as advocates of change with public interest at the forefront. Policy makers with public health backgrounds will help influence policies that balance clean energy advancement and the health of our communities, steering us towards a health-conscious future.
Potential employers: Government departments responsible for energy policy and regulation, research institutions with expertise in renewable energy policy analysis, advocacy organisations promoting renewable energy policies.
Lighting up your future
The renewable energy transition beckons, and your public health degree opens doors to a unique journey of impact. Armed with your public health degree and a passion for change, you can help ensure a just transition to renewables on our journey to decarbonisation. Whether you’re championing equity, crafting emissions policies, or fostering community resilience, your role in Australia's renewable energy evolution is going to be a key factor in creating a better tomorrow.
Public Health & Implementation Science is already playing a role in the transition…
We’re proud to be funding the project ‘Driving Change: A Scoping Study Investigating Perspectives and Behaviours of Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Etiquette’ as part of our 2023 Seed Funding program. Bringing together behavioural science and the digital grid, this project aims to understand and help inform effective implementation strategies to support the uptake and usage of electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia.
Interested? Read about our other seed funded projects.