2026-2027 STRAW Apprenticeship

STRAW Apprenticeship at Point Blue Conservation Science

We’re looking for 6-8 enthusiastic team members to assist in habitat restoration projects with Point Blue’s Students and Teachers Restoring A Watershed (STRAW) program. STRAW Apprentices will work with a supportive team of Restoration Technicians, Restoration Project Managers, Restoration Directors, and Education Team members, to learn techniques and practices of community based ecological restoration, with a focus on training and early career development.

Essential Functions:

Restoration Days

• Oversee and step into various key roles our team plays during a restoration day with primarily K-12 students (e.g. safety monitor, leading parts of the opening and closing circle, volunteer management, leading student planting and learning stations, packing up tools and trailers at the end of the day, parking multiple vehicles, leading games and activities for students.
• Teach place-based concepts of restoration science through inquiry-based learning to K-12 students.
• Implement restoration practices such as native species planting and willow harvesting with the guidance of Project Managers and Restoration Directors.
• Tool maintenance and storage facility upkeep.
• Restoration site preparation.
• Participate in physically demanding field work such as working on steep hillsides, carrying restoration equipment such as shovels, rock bars, and supply bins, loading and unloading vehicles, etc.

Best Management Practices

• Follow phytosanitary practices to prevent the spread of plant pathogens.

Native Plant Nursery

• Assist in nursery operations (i.e. planting, watering, hosting grade school students, working with other adult volunteers and seed collection) including testing of plants for Phytophthora spp.

School Visits

• Attend and support pre-restoration lessons at schools.
• Participate as a core educator in one of our Multi-Visit Programs (MVP)
• Support with designing and teaching lessons with the same classes, gaining the opportunity to build relationships with those students and teachers.

Maintenance Days

• Assist with restoration site maintenance including assessing site requirements and plant health in the field, installing drip irrigation, plant removal, seed collection, tracking site health and workflow, and recording maintenance activities.
• Support field site maintenance activities and provide technical direction to volunteer groups while ensuring the safety of all participants and a high quality of work.
• Communicate with staff to plan daily tasks and supplies needed.
• Tool maintenance and storage facility upkeep.
• Operate mechanical tools and equipment such as weed whackers and small engines.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Must meet school district requirements to work with school children including approved background check and fingerprinting.
• Capability to lift up to 40 pounds and complete strenuous physical tasks in various weather conditions.
• Abide by safe work methods and appropriate use of related safety equipment.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google Suite, including spreadsheets, word processing, and email applications.
• Possess a valid US driver’s license with favorable driving history to drive company owned vehicles.
• Must be 18 years of age or older at the start of the apprenticeship.
• Enthusiasm for ecological restoration work.
• Enthusiasm for teaching Kindergarten - 12th grade students and other public audiences.
• Communicate and interact effectively with people across cultures, ethnic groups, and identities.
• Openness to learn and share knowledge and skills.
• A strong sense of self awareness and professionalism.
• Willingness to participate in open and effective communication with supervisors, including sharing progress, discussing challenges, and incorporating feedback.
• Actively participates in regular, daily communication with staff using multiple platforms including WhatsApp, text, phone calls, photos, and email; responds in a timely manner.
• Ability to work respectfully on private and public property.
• Willingness to drive vehicles owned by Point Blue (e.g. trucks, tow trailers, all terrain vehicles) from Point Blue office and/or storage facilities to project sites and drive a vehicle to tow a trailer.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• This apprentice position is based out of Point Blue facilities located in Petaluma, California. Work will primarily take place at field sites and schools in but not limited to Sonoma and Marin Counties. Apprentices will need transportation to our headquarters in Petaluma.
• This position operates at remote field locations with occasional uneven terrain, limited vehicle access, and limited cell phone reception, and sometimes in a solitary capacity. Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions such as rain, heat, wind, and cold temperatures.
• Ability to stand, bend, stoop, sit, walk, and perform other physical activities.
• Ability to move up to 40 pounds and complete strenuous physical tasks.

Position Obligation:

• This apprenticeship position will begin September 28, 2026 and end on May 28, 2027.
• This is a full time, field-based, entry-level position that requires a time commitment of 40 hours per week Monday - Friday. The schedule will vary according to the season but generally it is 8 hours per day between the hours of 6:30 am to 5 pm. Early mornings, evening and weekend work may be required occasionally as job duties demand. Occasional travel and overnight stays may be required for this position. Advanced notice will be given.

Compensation:

• Hourly wage is $19.70. Point Blue provides a comprehensive benefit package upon hiring including employer paid medical and dental for staff (75% for dependents), life insurance, long-term care, long and short-term disability, flexible spending accounts, and retirement plans as well as time off benefits. Applicable work mileage is reimbursed at the federal rate. Overtime pay is given when working over 8 hours in a workday and/or over 40 hours in a workweek.
• All employees who use their personal cell phones for Point Blue business are eligible for a Cell Phone Stipend. The stipend is paid out each pay period (every other Friday) via payroll check at the rate of $18.50 per pay period.
• Subsidized housing is provided in Point Blue’s Rich Stallcup House, centrally located in Petaluma, CA, about 3 miles from Point Blue’s Headquarters. The cost associated with housing will be $65.59 per week which equates to $131.18 per bi-weekly pay period and will be deducted from your paycheck. Stallcup House residents share rooms with other early-career scientists. The house includes furnished rooms, a full kitchen, living room, washer and dryer, and communal bikes and is walking distance from many amenities.

Apprenticeship Learning Goals:

Learning Goal 1 - Apprentices gain an understanding of and experience in community-based restoration and education.

Objectives - Through experiential learning and direct training:

• Apprentices will explore the complex relationships between humans, the land, and other beings through introductions to:
  • Habitat restoration methods for both private agricultural lands and publicly managed parks and refuges.
  • Working with a variety of partners and volunteers across our education and habitat restoration network including public and private entities.
• Apprentices will learn field work skills, such as:
  • Best Management Practices in urban and rural community-based, climate-smart restoration.
  • Restoration site maintenance, including irrigation, weed management and browse protection against herbivory.
  • How to evaluate sites for potential hazards, mitigate risk, and prioritize safety while working outdoors.
• Apprentices will learn teaching and facilitating strategies through:
  • Exploring education theory and practices, specifically inquiry-based and culturally relevant teaching.
  • Educating K-12 students and adult volunteers mostly outdoors (i.e. lead learning stations and small planting groups during restoration planting days).
  • Building skills around small and large group facilitation outdoors.
    • Understand and step into various key roles our team plays during a restoration day (e.g. safety monitor, leading parts of the opening and closing circle, leading student planting and learning stations, packing up tools and trailers at the end of the day, leading games and activities for students).
  • Supporting safety, workflow, and overall engagement of student and adult volunteers during field days.
  • Welcoming and accepting the diversity of experiences students have outdoors when they arrive at a restoration day.
  • Sharing personal career pathways with K-12 students interested in careers in conservation.

Learning Goal 2 - Apprentices will gain self-awareness around their personal and professional strengths to inform next steps in their careers.

Objectives -  Through experiential learning and direct training:

• Apprentices will extend their personal and professional networks.
  • Apprentices will have the opportunity to meet a broad range of Point Blue staff and partners.
  • Apprentices will attend internal trainings and workshops related to the environmental field.
• Apprentices will gain tools for individual reflection and team building.
  • Apprentices will gather for focused lessons on topics such as communication, giving and receiving feedback, collaboration, problem solving, goal setting, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and more.

How to Apply

Application: Submit application by Friday Aug. 7, 5 pm PST (EOD).

For questions or clarifications, please contact Libby Kennedy at [email protected].

About Point Blue
Point Blue Conservation Science (Point Blue, formerly PRBO), based in Petaluma, California, is a growing and internationally renowned nonprofit with over 160 staff and scientists. Founded in 1965 and working from California to Antarctica, we advance conservation of nature for wildlife and people through science, partnerships, and outreach. Our scientists work closely with wildlife managers, private landowners, ranchers, farmers, other scientists, major conservation groups, and federal, state, and local government agencies. Our highest priority today is to increase the pace, scale, and impact of climate-smart conservation. Learn more by exploring this site.

Point Blue is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, disability status of an otherwise qualified individual, membership or application for membership in uniformed service, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law and will make reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities to complete the application and/or participate in the interview process.