Scientific Illustration Apprenticeship

Location: Differs each year, but often based in Petaluma, CA
To Apply: check our Available Positions section

Our overarching goal for this learning experience is to merge art and science towards increasing engagement in conservation concepts and actions. We aim to provide an early career scientific illustrator with meaningful knowledge, skills, and hands-on experiences in conservation science that can make a real difference in their career journey.

Learning goals include building skills to:

• Explore how to represent ecological studies and conservation efforts through illustration
• Enhance skills to engage target audience(s) in conservation science goals through inspiring illustration work
• Practice the process of creating and successfully completing a science illustration project in collaboration with a team of communications, science, and other conservation staff

Approximate timeline and components

• Job announcement and hiring occur in the spring; apprenticeship start date varies but usually is between June and July
• Week 1: orientation to the organization and devising a work plan with the supervisor
• Weeks 2 & 3: research and field immersion with program staff shaped by the created work plan; project concept presentation to staff
• Weeks 4 & 5: project creation!
• Weeks 6 & 7: project refinement & review by staff; prepare final presentation
• Week 8: final presentation; file delivery & management; exit interview; other wrap up tasks

Applicant Qualifications

• This position is for an early career science illustrator with between 2 and 5 years experience practicing science illustration
• Must have the equivalent of a minimum of 2 years experience in a science/nature illustration program or doing science illustration work consistently
• Possess a strong interest in engaging people in conservation issues and solutions (like, climate change, pollution, energy use, nature-based solutions, habitat restoration, etc.)
• Experience and/or desire to incorporate social justice into project a plus
• Multilingual applicants strongly encouraged to apply
• Must have the ability to work in the U.S. (Point Blue is currently unable to offer visa sponsorship)

Expected Work Hours & Travel
6 hours per day on weekdays (M-F); some flexibility in hours worked and time frame to accommodate other responsibilities or employment if needed. Apprentice is expected to be able to procure their own transportation to and from the Petaluma Headquarters and to field sites around the San Francisco Bay Area.

Work Environment
Point Blue takes teamwork, collaboration, and diversity, equity, and inclusion seriously. Your supervisor will work to create an atmosphere of openness, acceptance, and empowerment during your internship. You will be provided with a structured way to check in and share updates on how things are going, with discussion on how to make adjustments as needed. We work to create a workplace where people feel welcome to be and express their full selves. Office/studio space will be provided by Point Blue. Work hours will include a mix of being outside observing and assisting with scientific research/restoration activities, sitting or standing inside for research & meetings, and indoor or outdoor studio work, depending on the artist’s medium, preference, and set-up.

Compensation & Benefits
The apprentice will be paid $19.70 per hour (may change slightly year to year depending on state wage standards and cost of living baselines). Transportation using a personal vehicle to field sites from within 20 miles of field sites will be reimbursed at the federal rate. Binoculars and scope are available to borrow. Housing is available at our shared field house in Petaluma at a rate of $65.59 per week or $131.18 bi-weekly which can be extracted from biweekly paychecks (this may change year to year as well). Some funds will be available for art supplies and printing costs. Amount to be determined during the work plan phase. Benefits are limited to up to 40 hours of paid sick time.

We are grateful to the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation for their generous and forward-thinking funding of this position.