Raptor Migration Monitoring Crewmember 2026

HawkWatch International is hiring a Fall Migration Monitoring Crewmember for the 2026 season in various western U.S. states, including NM. The role involves monitoring migrating raptors, engaging with visitors, and assisting with banding. Candidates should have raptor identification skills and the ability to work in a team. This is a full-time temporary position from August 1 to November 15, 2026, with a salary of $55 per day.
FALL MIGRATION MONITORING CREWMEMBER


Classification: Full-time Temporary and Seasonal Exempt


Length of Appointment: August 1 – November 15, 2026


Locations: AZ, NV, NM, OR, TX, or WY


Salary: $55/day


Application Deadline: Open until filled


ABOUT HAWKWATCH INTERNATIONAL


Founded in 1986, HawkWatch International (HWI) is a raptor conservation nonprofit with a mission to conserve the environment through education, long-term monitoring, and scientific research on raptors as indicators of ecosystem health. As we approach 40 years of conservation, we are ready to invest in people who can help our hardworking team of educators, scientists, and administrative staff.


ABOUT THE POSITION


We seek enthusiastic team players to staff HawkWatch International’s (HWI) network of long-term migration monitoring sites in western North America for the fall 2026 season. Crewmember duties include: standardized daily counts of migrating diurnal raptors; engaging and delivering outreach to site visitors (both scheduled and impromptu) in a friendly and professional manner; and at a subset of sites, assisting with capture and banding of migrating raptors (OR, NV, WY, and NM). Each site has a crew lead who, along with HWI supervisory biologists from the Long-term Monitoring and Community Science Team, will oversee site operations.


PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES



Scan diligently for migrating raptors, identify to the finest level possible and document the count using a digital device
Engage with visitors and share about the migration network and HWI’s mission
Assist with site/camp setup, takedown, and inventorying
Communicate regularly with HWI Office Staff
Safely operate a banding station to capture, process, band, and release migrating raptors
Care for lure animals
Log personal hours and all data gathered via digital device and upload to cloud at end of day
Update the community with season highlights via blogs and updates to site FB pages

QUALIFICATIONS (ESSENTIAL SKILLS)



A keen eye for searching the sky
Endurance for long hours in the field in highly variable weather
Stamina for consistently scanning for migrating birds
Demonstrated in-flight raptor identification skills
Demeanor to pleasantly and professionally engage site visitors while representing HWI
Interpersonal skills for working well with others in a remote and small team setting
Excellent data collection skills (detailed, accurate, and in accordance with protocols) and the ability to digitally log data
Willingness and ability to follow federal, local, and HWI safety protocols

CHARACTERISTICS THAT WILL SET YOU APART (DESIRABLE SKILLS)



Previous experience identifying and counting raptors in flight
Experience engaging visitors of all ages and skills in conservation efforts
Some experience/exposure to raptor capture/handling/banding efforts
Experience camping for long period of time
Education and outreach experience

SITE LEAD ADDITIONAL DUTIES



Weekly communication with LTMCS Office staff
Weekly crew check-ins
Schedule weekly duties and off-days
Ensuring all crew members are performing duties to the best of their abilities and help to build skills of all
Communicate with local agency partners and represent HWI
Alert LTMCS office staff of any site needs or team issues
Set a positive tone for the team and take a solution-oriented approach to any challenges that may arise

BANDING LEAD ADDITIONAL DUTIES



Inventory bands and banding supplies
Oversee safe trapping and banding operations
Manage daily lure bird care
Teach crewmembers trapping and banding techniques
Keep LTMCS biologists apprised of crew member progress on banding-related matters
Log captures and banding data using a combination of paper and digital forms
Set the tone for a professional, respectful, and mindful approach to animal capture and handling for the entire crew

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION



Length of Appointment: Fall migration seasons run from mid-August through mid-November, specific dates are site-dependent. Positions require a full-season commitment.
Living arrangements: Most of our HawkWatches are in high-elevation, remote areas and require camping; all crewmembers must supply their own camping gear and should have their own vehicle to access the sites (or trailheads near sites).
A standardized count is conducted for 8-10 hours daily
Crewmembers will receive one day off a week

As part of our commitment to providing a safe and secure work environment, we conduct background checks on all prospective employees…


COMPENSATION


This Full-time, Temporary, Seasonal, and Exempt position includes a $55 daily stipend and a $200 travel stipend to offset travel costs to the site. Stipends are disbursed bi-weekly via direct deposit.


DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION


We believe that just as in nature, diversity in the workforce fosters adaptability, resilience, and well-being…


HOW TO APPLY


Applications are reviewed as received using a standardized scoring process to determine the interview pool. Apply at this link. Applications open until filled.