HWI Raptor Conservation Internship

About HawkWatch International

Founded in 1986, HawkWatch International 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 1-2 individuals to join our Cavity Adopting Raptor Ecology Studies team from March 16 through July 31, 2026. Over recent decades, populations of America’s smallest falcon, the American Kestrel, show declines across much of North America. Other raptor species face similar challenges, especially in rapidly developing areas. Our long-term demography studies seek to understand the factors impacting raptors, including urbanization, climate change, and contaminants. We monitor populations of kestrels, screech-owls, and other cavity-adopting raptors in northern Utah, Northern Idaho/eastern Washington, and southern Arizona. Our work requires frequent visits to approximately 550 nest boxes and other known non-box nest locations during the breeding season to determine use, nesting outcome, parent ID, and to collect additional nest metrics.

The HWI Raptor jobshiringnearme.org Internship is designed to meet program monitoring needs while also offering unique and often first-time field and other professional development experiences to those just starting their careers in conservation. With this in mind, we prioritize applicants with 0-3 seasons of previous field work experience. 

This position primarily reports to Jessica Taylor, Long-Term Monitoring and Community Science Research Biologist.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Using a spotting scope to document band status of adult kestrels
• Communicate, coordinate, and work with a large team of community scientists to ensure their needs and project research goals are met
• Maintain and occasionally install nest boxes and document nest box condition
• Visit and look inside nest boxes. Record # eggs, # nestlings, # of fledged young for nests in boxes and non-box nests in a digital entry platform
• Daily entry, updating, and quality control of box and nest monitoring data
• Assist with trapping and banding adult and nestling kestrels and owls
• Assist with collection of feather and blood samples
• Assist with deployment, recovery, and maintenance of archival GPS tags
• Assist in the installation and maintenance of camera systems at kestrel and owl nests
• Communicate concerns or issues to supervisory biologists as they arise, including ability to continue monitoring, land access, safety issues, or interesting observations
• Keep track of hours and mileage
• Represent HWI and its efforts in a positive, professional, and courteous manner while in the field
• Design and complete (with the help of supervisory biologists) own small research effort within the larger study system (can be on some aspect of kestrel work, or on other species in the study area)

Qualifications (Essential skills)

• Complete or near-complete BS in biology, ecology, environmental science, or related field OR equivalent experience
• Attention to detail while both entering data and quality checking data
• Ability to communicate with and work alongside a diverse community science team in a professional, pleasant, respectful, and solution-focused manner
• Ability to safely drive HWI vehicle and occasionally use own transportation for field work (mileage reimbursed when personal vehicle used)
• Ability to carry and climb a ladder
• Willingness and ability to follow federal, local, and HWI safety protocols
• Ability to help organize and track nest status and project needs across the season

Additional Information

• The full season is 20 weeks, and weekly time commitment varies based on the stage of the season. Some work will take place on weekends and outside of ‘standard’ working hours (9-5), including occasional nighttime work as needed with nesting owls. Space in shared housing may be available for those who don’t live locally.
• Given these positions put in 35-60 hours per week, they do not align well with a full-time course load.
• Interns will spend time working in the field both independently and in small teams with other interns and/or HWI biologists.
• Gain valuable research and communication skills and experience as part of a long-term community science research program. Enjoy a front-row seat to raptor natural history and nesting ecology while gathering important information to aid in raptor conservation locally and across North America.

Compensation

This Full-time, Temporary, Seasonal, and Exempt position includes a $600 weekly stipend. Space in shared housing may be available for those who don’t live locally.

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.

Background Check: As part of our commitment to providing a safe and secure work environment, we conduct background checks on all prospective employees. These checks are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and are designed to ensure that our hiring decisions are based on legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons.

Key Points:

• Consent: We obtain written consent before conducting any background check.
• Transparency: Should any information from a background check potentially impact hiring decisions, we will provide you with a copy of the report and an opportunity to respond.
• Non-discrimination: We apply the same standards to all candidates, regardless of race, national origin, color, sex, religion, disability, genetic information, or age.
• Relevance: A criminal record will not automatically disqualify you from employment. We will consider the nature and timing of any offenses in relation to the job requirements.
• Mandatory: Final approval of hiring is contingent upon completion of the background check process.