STRAW Apprenticeship 2023-2024

This job has expired.

Organization

Point Blue Conservation Science

Job Posted

June 14, 2023

Job status

Job Category

Job Type

Job Duration

Job Compensation Type

Remote

No

Careers

Contact Name

Emily Allen

Contact Email

eallen@pointblue.org

Contact Phone

7077812555 x360

Deadline to Apply

Location

Various , CA
United States
We’re looking for 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 and Education Managers, to learn techniques and practices of community based ecological restoration, with a focus on training and early career development.
We will hire eight Apprentices total: six apprentices for the North Bay (field and school sites locations are often, but not limited to, the counties of Sonoma and Marin) and two apprentices for the South Bay (field and school sites locations are often, but not limited to, the counties of Santa Clara and San Benito).

Summary

Position Season Workflow 

The following timeline is meant to be a guide and not an exhaustive list of core responsibilities. 

September - April (as an Apprentice)

  • Restoration Days 
    • Oversee volunteers, focused on K-12 students and adults during restoration project days, including leading planting groups or learning stations.
    • 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 Senior Project Managers.
    • 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 
    • Assure restoration site health from plant illness such as Sudden Oak Death through sanitation and testing. 
  • Native Plant Nursery 
    • Assist in nursery operations (i.e. planting, watering, hosting grade school students and seed collection).

 

  • School Visits 
    • Attend and support pre-restoration lessons (ex. co-teaching, independently) at schools.
    • Participate as a core educator in one of our Multi-Visit Programs (MVP) 
      • Support with designing and teaching 4-7 lessons with the same classes, gaining the opportunity to build relationships with those students and teachers 

May 1 - August 31 (as a Restoration Technician)

Extension into the Restoration Technician role will be dependent upon skill development, and interest in the position, and will be decided by March 1, 2024. 

  • Maintenance Days 
    • Assist with planning and coordinating restoration site maintenance including assessing site requirements and plant health in the field, installing drip irrigation, plant removal, seed collection, tracking, and recording maintenance activities.
    • Lead field site maintenance activities and provide technical direction to groups while ensuring the safety of all participants and a high quality of work.
    • Coordinate with Project Managers and other 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.
  • Data Monitoring 
    • Collection of restoration sites data such as plant health and growth. 
  • Summer Teaching 
    • Support STRAW Community College Conservation Internship (CCCI), including but not limited to participating in a seminar day, and supporting field experiences for CCCI interns. 
    • Support with the development and implementation of Watershed Week, STRAW’s annual professional development workshop for teachers.
    • This apprenticeship position will begin August 28, 2023 and ends on April 30, 2024. Apprentices will be considered for an extension into the role Restoration Technician from May 1, 2024 through August 31, 2024 with increased hourly wage (~$24/ hour). 

      This is a field-based entry-level position that requires a time commitment of up to 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 7 am to 5 pm. Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Occasional travel and overnight stays may be required for this position. Advanced notice will be given. 

  • For more information on apprenticeship program goals, qualifications and hiring timeline, see the full postion description here: https://www.pointblue.org/internships/straw-apprenticeship/
  • To apply:  Submit application via this form by Friday, July 7, 12 pm PST (noon).

     

Compensation Information

For Full-Time Apprentices, 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. Hourly wage is $18.46 in addition to mileage reimbursement (when applicable) at the federal rate. Apprentices will also receive a monthly cell phone stipend ($40/month). 

North Bay Apprentices: Work will primarily take place at field sites and schools in but not limited to Sonoma and Marin Counties. 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 $60.16 per week which equates to $120.32 per bi-weekly pay period and will be deducted from your paycheck. Stallcup House residents share rooms with other early-career scientists. House includes furnished rooms, a full kitchen, living room, washer and dryer, and communal bikes and is walking distance from many amenities.

South Bay Apprentices: Work will primarily take place at field sites and schools in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties. Please note housing is not available in association with the South Bay Apprentice positions. South Bay Apprentices will be considered “Fully Remote” employees, meaning that the employee does not have a designated Point Blue or partner office assignment to work from. “Fully Remote” employees will receive a monthly home office stipend ($160 per month) and housing allowance.