Thinking about a career in the green or high-performance building space? We sat down to talk shop with Mainers from six different fields: solar, weatherizing and energy auditing, architecture, construction, and landscape design. Read on to learn how they got started, their favorite parts of the job, the training required, and what it might take for you to get there. 

This interview has been edited for length and readability.

Kelsea Larson
Evergreen Home Performance

GHM: How did you get into this line of work?
KL: I began pursuing green building after studying architecture in Boston and learning from my family the value of good design and working with your hands. My partner and I bought a newly constructed barn on a wood lot in the Midcoast, and we’re figuring out for ourselves how best to weatherize and establish a home.

GHM: What are some of the jobs you held before getting into your current field?
KL: In addition to building-related positions with an architect, work as a general contractor and in Home Depot’s building materials department, I’ve spent a lot of time in foodservice. Beginning in restaurants in high school and eventually farming here in Maine, I’ve learned so much about protecting our natural resources and lessening our impact on the Earth.

GHM: What training is required for the work you do?
KL: Field technicians receive training in building science to properly understand how each home performs differently and how best to mitigate existing conditions. Prior construction experience is preferred to start, but not required. Orientation focuses on how to work as safely as possible and with a positive attitude so customers and techs have a good experience every day.

GHM: What do you like best about your job?
KL: Our work is a little architectural archeology and a lot of problem-solving. We see different projects every day and cover all the coastal regions of Maine, so it is always interesting and new. My favorite part is working in the really old homes, where you can see some original techniques used to build and insulate.

GHM: What challenges do you face on a daily basis in your job? Or, challenges you have faced to achieve your professional goals?
KL: Each day we are challenged to work safely in precarious spaces, whether in attics, crawl spaces or on ladders replacing windows. We need to make sure we set ourselves up with tools and safety equipment that will ensure everyone comes home in one piece. As a woman, it’s been hard to find the right construction crew where I feel I can contribute safely and efficiently. It’s taken 10 years of varied experience and physical labor to find a company like Evergreen that values and supports training a woman in the field.

GHM: In what ways is your industry growing, shrinking or changing in Maine?
KL: Our services are booked months in advance — which proves how in-demand energy efficiency is in the state of Maine. With hotter summers and colder winters, homeowners want to know that the money they spend on heating and cooling isn’t immediately disappearing through poorly insulated windows and walls — everyone is looking for smarter solutions. Evergreen is eager to hire more workers. And we have the capacity to grow in both our Portland and Rockland locations.

GHM: What advice do you have for anyone starting out in the field?
KL: Our work in energy retrofits may seem hard and messy, but the immediate benefits of comfort and reduced use of fossil fuels for Maine families are well worth the time and effort. There is so much room to grow and learn in the building science field, and it is definitely the future of the building industry.

GHM: How does this job help you make decisions about your own home?
KL: The hands-on retrofit work we do has greatly improved my patience and forethought in all of my home projects — including air sealing, insulation, moisture control, and proper ventilation. I’ve come to understand that designs of complicated roof structures and oversized living spaces don’t seem worth it when it comes to heating efficiency. I’m glad I started this work when I did because it will inform all of my building decisions in the future.

GHM: When you aren’t working, how do you spend your time?
KL: I love to garden and learn about plants. Permaculture is the main focus at home as we figure out our building plans. For fun, I love to explore Maine’s endless bodies of fresh and saltwater, spend time with my family, and enjoy live music.

This article first appeared in the Fall 2019/Winter 2020 edition of Green & Healthy Maine HOMES. Subscribe today!