Are you a hawkwatcher looking for a counting job? Take advantage of opportunities to count and/or work with sites all over North American and beyond. The job postings below are descriptions and links to opportunities with individual count sites (not employment opportunities with HMANA).
Dinosaur Ridge Hawk Watch, CO – Spring 2025 Counting Position
Dinosaur Ridge is located near Denver, Colorado. Denver Field Ornithologists (DFO) is looking to hire one Hawk Counter for the spring season, March 1-May 10, 2025. We seek an experienced, enthusiastic team member to staff the site for monitoring diurnal raptors. Duties include completing standardized daily migration counts of raptors, completing the end-of-day report in HawkCount, working with staff and volunteer observers, and helping visitors learn more about the project. The team members must be able to work independently and without on-site supervision.
The project duration is ten weeks, from March 1-May 10, and requires a full season commitment. The weekly schedule is five days per week with two days off per week. Counters will be compensated for any approved cancellations due to weather etc. DFO provides two paid sick days for the season.
Counter compensation is $120-$127 per day depending upon experience. Reduced cost housing is available for candidates living outside the Denver metro area. Details available upon request.
Spring Hawk Counter for Braddock Bay Raptor Research
Location: Braddock Bay, Rochester, NY
Duration: March 1 – May 31, 2025
Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
Braddock Bay Raptor Research (BBRR) is seeking an experienced hawk counter to conduct the spring
raptor count at Braddock Bay. An average of over 50,000 raptors, including up to 17 species, are tallied
each spring at this popular migration site located on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, near Rochester,
NY. More information about the spring count can be found at https://www.bbrr.org/hawk-count/
Duties:
The hawk counter will conduct the watch 7 days/week following a standardized protocol. Days off will
be provided during inclement weather and upon request as needed. Length of the workday is
determined by the weather and flight. Data is entered in the field using the Trektellen platform. Hourly
and daily counts, and weather data are entered into the online HawkCount database of the Hawk
Migration Association (HMA). A written report summarizing the count is required at the end of the
season. This report is published in the BBRR member newsletter and sent to HMA for inclusion in the
regional hawk watch summary in their journal, Hawk Migration Studies. Written daily summaries will be
encouraged for posting to social media. There are also opportunities for interpretive and educational
programming at the watch and during public events.
Qualifications:
At least 2 seasons of experience as a lead counter/observer at a comparable hawk watch site
Strong raptor identification skills (especially eastern species) and good general bird
identification skills.
Willingness to work irregular hours, and often endure long days in the field
Ability to endure long periods outdoors in cold and windy conditions
Must have good computer skills, and be capable of entering and managing data
Must have own binoculars, and spotting scope preferred
Must have good people skills and demonstrate the ability to interact with visiting birders and
the general public in a positive way
Compensation: A stipend of $2,200/month and housing will be provided. Must have own
transportation to the watch site. Start and end date can be flexible.
To apply: Send cover letter, resume and references (at least 3) by to Daena Ford, information@bbrr.org.
HawkWatch International
Raptor Migration Monitoring Crewmember
HawkWatch International seeks 6 enthusiastic team players to staff HWl’s long-term migration
monitoring sites in western North America for the spring 2025 season. Crewmember duties include a
combination of standardized daily migration counts of diurnal raptors and engaging and delivering
outreach to site visitors (both scheduled and impromptu).
Length of Appointment: Spring migration season runs from 15 February through April (Tubac
HawkWatch) and 10 March through 15 May (Gunsight Mountain HawkWatch). Positions require a full-
season commitment and weekly schedules include 1 day off.
HawkWatch Locations:
Alaska – Gunsight Mtn. HawkWatch (season runs March 10-May 15, 4 positions)
Arizona – Tubac HawkWatch (season runs February 15-April 30, 2 positions)
Qualifications:
● Good eyesight
● Ability to endure and stay focused during long hours in the field in highly variable weather
● Demonstrated birding and/or raptor-in-flight identification skills
● Ability to pleasantly and professionally engage site visitors about the work while
representing HWI
● Ability to work well in a remote and intimate small team setting
● Excellent data collection skills (detailed, accurate, and in accordance w/ protocols) and the
ability to digitally log data
● Willingness and ability to follow federal, local, and HWI safety protocols
Qualifications of top applicants:
● Previous experience conducting raptor migration counts
● Experience engaging visitors of all ages and skills about conservation efforts
Compensation:
This is a volunteer position with crewmembers receiving a daily living stipend ($55/day in Arizona,
$65/day in Alaska), including days off. HWI will also assist with some costs of travel to the sites (varies
by site). Per diems are disbursed bi-weekly via direct deposit.
Living arrangements: Lodging provided at both sites. Crewmembers should have their own optics and
vehicle (Tubac HawkWatch). Transportation is provided at the Gunsight Mtn. HawkWatch.
Reports to: Each HawkWatch will be led by a site lead who will coordinate with HWI supervisory
biologists from the Long-term Monitoring and Community Science Team.
Full Position Description and Application Instructions:
For more details, see the full position description. To apply, complete the Spring Raptor Migration
Monitoring Crewmember Application. Part of this application requires submitting a cover letter and
resume (as a single pdf file uploaded to the application form) that details your experience, particularly
highlighting time counting migrating raptors, and engaging the public.
Application review and hiring ongoing, apply by 3 January 2025 for priority consideration.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We believe that just as in nature, diversity in the workforce fosters adaptability, resilience, and well-
being. We strive to build a team that reflects the stakeholders and communities we serve and the places
we work. Our goal is to create an environment where each team member feels valued, respected, and
empowered in their work.
Send any questions to migration@hawkwatch.org
**If equipment concerns would preclude you from applying, please apply and reach out – HWI may be
able to assist.
Raptor Counter needed to conduct, as a contracted service, the 2025 spring
season raptor migration count at Onondaga Audubon’s Derby Hill Bird
Observatory located in Mexico, NY
March 1-May 31, 2025. Applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency/experience in identifying and enumeratingeastern North American hawks, falcons, eagles and vultures at a distance using an
established protocol. The counter is responsible for daily counts, data entry and
preparation of a daily log for posting on the observatory website providing
coverage no less than 40 hours/week as coordinated with the Sanctuary
Coordinator. As appropriate, the counter is expected to engage site visitors about
the observatory’s mission and natural history. The successful candidate will have
excellent written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated computer
skills, including data entry, spreadsheet and word processing. The individual must
be in good physical condition and be able to work outdoors for extended periods.
If needed, Onondaga Audubon will provide a spotting scope w/tripod for the
counter’s use. The counter must provide his/her own binoculars, photographic
equipment (not required) and reliable transportation. On site housing is
provided. Contracted services include the preparation of a report of the count
and observations at the conclusion of the season. Compensation will range from
$8,000-$9,000 depending upon experience. Applications will be accepted until
January 17, 2025 or until a qualified candidate is selected, whichever occurs first.
Applicants must be US citizens or possess required documentation that they are
eligible to be contracted within the United States. Please email cover letter and
resume describing relevant experience (including contact information and three
references) to David Fitch at dfitch52@gmail.com.
For questions or additional information please contact brown@hmana.org
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