2026 Science Illustration Apprentice

2026 Science Illustration Apprentice at Point Blue Conservation Science

Location: Based in Petaluma, California

Reports to: Lishka Arata, Point Blue Director of Communications

Duration: Late- June through late-August 2026 (8 weeks total)

Compensation and Benefits: The apprentice will be paid $19.70 per hour. 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. Up to $600 will be available for art supplies and printing costs as needed. Amount to be determined during the work plan phase. Benefits are limited to up to 40 hours of paid sick time.

About Point Blue

Point Blue Conservation Science, founded as Point Reyes Bird Observatory in 1965, is a growing and internationally renowned non-profit with over 160 staff and scientists based in Petaluma, California. Point Blue’s programs have evolved over time to include a broad range of conservation activity, from restoration to environmental education, climate-smart conservation with a focus on nature-based solutions to innovative work in the field of regenerative agriculture. Our mission has remained to conserve birds, other wildlife, and their ecosystems through science, partnership, and outreach. We have a proven track record of scientific excellence, and long-standing partnerships with Federal, State, and local government agencies as well as other non-profit and community groups.

Through art and science collaborations at Point Blue, we seek to increase the number of people who understand the value of nature and their place in it; know the challenges we face when nature is destroyed or threatened; and are actively participating in solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss. We also seek to increase the depth of understanding and the impact of climate and biodiversity solutions. 

Increasing equal employment opportunity (EEO) at Point Blue is essential to the success of our mission, vision, and strategy, and is an integral part of our work every day as we work to increase EEO not only within the organization, but also in our partnerships and programs. We are investing in organizational change and supporting staff to investigate their implicit biases and beliefs, individual relationships, and broader societal systems, including the systems of Point Blue.

About the Position

This year's science illustration apprenticeship focus will be bringing peer-reviewed scientific publications to life. A curated selection of key publications will be provided as well as facilitated access to staff authors and associated field sites. 

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

• 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.

Application Process & Timeline

• Application Opens: May 14, 2026
• Application Deadline: May 29, 2026
• Applicants Selected for Interviews: Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 5, 2026
  • Thirty minute interviews will be scheduled.
• Interviews: Jun 8, 2026 - Jun 11, 2026
  • Interview questions will be shared beforehand.
• Notification of Application Status: Jun 12, 2026
• Apprenticeship start date Jun 22, 2026 
• Apprenticeship end date Aug 14, 2026

If you experience difficulty with submitting an application or have questions, please reach out to [email protected].Point Blue is an equal employment 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 an 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.