Job ID: 2024-5698 Type: Seasonal, Full-Time # of Openings: 1 Category: Science National Audubon Society
Overview
The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas towards a future where birds thrive because Audubon is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation. Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the hemisphere and more than 1.5 million active supporters.
North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and more than 500 bird species are at risk of extinction across Latin America and the Caribbean. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they tell us that birds – and our planet – are in crisis. Together as one Audubon, we are working to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. We do this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, partnering with local communities, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community.
Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon brings new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.
Responsibilities
The Seasonal Hawk Counter will work alongside Greenwich Audubon naturalists and Volunteer Hawk Watchers involved in raptor conservation to:
Identify and count the 15+ species of hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures that migrate along the Atlantic Flyway IN FLIGHT.
Record and manage field data of migrating raptors on online data collection platforms.
Conduct outreach to visitors and volunteer hawk watchers to involve the community in raptor conservation efforts.
Coordinate volunteer schedules and work with volunteers to conduct daily counts.
Assist with public programs on raptor identification including assistance with annual Hawk Watch Weekend.
Prepare and deliver a public program on the results of the season at the season's end.
Record hourly weather conditions, species, and numbers of migrating raptors using data entry software apps.
At the end of each count day, enter count data to Hawkcount.org.
Other duties associated with the Hawk Watch and hawk watching, as needed.
The Seasonal Hawk Counter is expected to conduct hawk watching duties five days a week, 9 am to 5 pm from August 20th to November 30th (start date flexible). They will also be responsible for coordinating volunteers to staff the hawk watch on weekend days. Some work schedule flexibility is required due to weather condition-related changes in anticipated migration activity.
The Seasonal Hawk Counter will adhere to all current Audubon policies related to COVID-19.
Qualifications
Previous seasonal work at a hawk migration monitoring site and/or experience in identifying Northeastern raptors in flight at a distance is preferred.
Interest in bird monitoring and outdoor research work.
Familiarity with operating binoculars and spotting scopes for bird observation.
Familiarity with computer data spreadsheet analysis.
Self-motivated individual who can work well independently in the field.
Ability to work primarily outside in various weather situations.
Ability to work some early mornings, late evenings, and some weekend days.
Good organizational skills.
Ability to communicate to a variety of audiences: visitors, volunteers, staff, the general public, and others.
