The Depth and Breadth of <strong>Green</strong> Jobs: Janitors, Cleaners and Security Guards <strong>Hawai</strong>ÿi’s unique combination of industries, natural assets and environmentally-aware population leads to some surprising conclusions with regard to the large number of janitors, cleaners and security guards considered “green”. Job title descriptions submitted by businesses to the <strong>Hawai</strong>ÿi <strong>Green</strong> Jobs Survey provide evidence of an emerging industry of janitors, cleaners and security guards that are making a significant contribution to green practices and employment in the State of <strong>Hawai</strong>ÿi. The SOC occupational groups of Janitors & Cleaners and Security Guards are among the Survey’s top-five green occupations when measured in total numbers (Table 8). While tourism is not classified as a NAICS industry, this broad services-based sector spans several major industry groups which collectively employ a large number of local workers. According to our research, a growing number of cleaning providers have incorporated eco-friendly products as a significant feature of their services. This has been coupled with the provisioning of extensive employee training and certification in areas such as water conservation, recycling and proper waste disposal. Given the principal and recurring nature of these responsibilities in such cases, this report treats these two occupations – janitors and cleaners – as green jobs and lists them under the core green area of Natural, Sustainable and Environmentally-Friendly Production. Based on survey data, of the estimated 13,250 janitors and cleaners in <strong>Hawai</strong>ÿi, nine percent undergo special green training. These credentials are actively marketed by both employers and employees. While the majority of security guards are tasked with protecting real estate, capital assets and public safety, an increasing number are also responsible for pollution deterrence, environmental regulation enforcement and the safeguarding of hazardous materials from the general public. As a result, select positions within the Security Guard occupational group can be categorized under the core green area of Reduce Pollution and Waste; Conserve Our Natural Resources; Recycle. Based on this definition, survey data estimate that 5.4 percent of the 10,250 security guards in <strong>Hawai</strong>ÿi are green. One respondent to the Survey, a security company, notes clients with special “green” requirements. For example, a landfill hires security guards to monitor the quantity of dust pollution, and notify management when mitigation measures are required. This landfill also requires that the security guards check truck compliance with solid waste rules, such as regulations against dumping hazardous materials. Furthermore, the security guards limit the number of trucks so that the facility does not exceed its capacity. Other examples are piers and shippers. Security guards at these sites report to facility safety officers, following established protocols to monitor the water and containers for toxic spills and broken safety equipment that could lead to spills. The security guards also check hazardous materials documentation on the piers, which includes individual safety papers and the correct placarding of containers. In the event of a spill or other accident, these workers are responsible for cooperating with the coast guard to quickly staunch the flow and mitigate damages. According to a representative of this company, “I think green security guards will only increase, because people really care about that stuff now.” 20 <strong>Hawai</strong>ÿi’s <strong>Green</strong> <strong>Workforce</strong>: A <strong>Baseline</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong>
Table 8. Top <strong>Green</strong> Occupations and Related SOC Characteristics <strong>Hawai</strong>ÿi’s <strong>Green</strong> <strong>Workforce</strong>: A <strong>Baseline</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> 21
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