Spring Migration Monitoring Crewmember – Gunsight Mountain HawkWatch

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 Positions

We seek four enthusiastic team players to staff HawkWatch International’s (HWI) Gunsight Mountain HawkWatch in Alaska. 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). The season runs from March 10 through May 15, 2026.

Round-trip travel to Anchorage, a rental vehicle, and lodging are provided throughout the season.

This position primarily reports to Jesse Watson, Long-term Monitoring and Community Science

Research Biologist and Banding Coordinator.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Scan diligently for migrating raptors, identify to finest level possible, and document count using a digital device
• Engage visitors to site and talk about what the team is doing and why it is important
• Log personal hours and all data gathered via digital device and upload to cloud at end of day
• Help share about the season via blogs and updates to site FB pages
• Communicate regularly with HWI Office Staff

Site Lead Additional Duties

• Weekly communication with LTMCS Office staff
• Weekly crew check-ins
• Ensuring all team members are performing duties to the best of their abilities and helping to build skills of all
• Communicating/representing HWI with local agency partners
• Alerting LTMCS office staff of any site needs or team issues
• Setting a positive tone for the team and taking a solution-oriented approach to any challenges that may arise

Qualifications (Essential skills)

• Good eyesight
• Ability to endure long hours in the field in highly variable weather
• Ability to focus and constantly and consistently scan for migrating birds
• Demonstrated birding and/or raptor-in-flight identification skills
• Ability to pleasantly and professionally engage site visitors 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

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

Additional Information

• A standardized count is conducted for eight hours daily and crewmembers will receive one day off weekly.
• 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.

Compensation

This Full-time, Temporary, Seasonal, and Exempt position includes a $65 daily stipend. Lodging, round-trip airfare to/from Anchorage, and a rented field vehicle are provided.

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.