2026-2027 STRAW Apprenticeship

Point Blue Conservation Science • Petaluma, CA

9d • $20 - $20 • Onsite

About The Position

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.

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Follow phytosanitary practices to prevent the spread of plant pathogens.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Operate mechanical tools and equipment such as weed whackers and small engines.

Benefits

• employer paid medical and dental for staff (75% for dependents)
• life insurance
• long-term care
• long and short-term disability
• flexible spending accounts
• retirement plans
• 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.
• Cell Phone Stipend
• Subsidized housing is provided in Point Blue’s Rich Stallcup House

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed