Seasonal Hawk Counter

National Audubon Society•Greenwich, CT

3d•$19•Onsite

About The Position

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety. Position Summary: The Greenwich Audubon Center, a program of the National Audubon Society, has been connecting people with nature since 1943. The Center offers educational programs for all ages, including the annual Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch. Quaker Ridge is one of the premier hawk watch sites in the Northeast, with an average of over 10,000 hawks recorded each season and 50 years of data on hawk migration. Under the supervision of the Senior Coordinator of Public Programs, the Seasonal Hawk Counter will play an integral role in this longstanding seasonal program. All data from Quaker Ridge is submitted to the Hawk Migration Association of North America as part of the hemispheric network of over 200 Hawk Migration monitoring locations. The National Audubon Society is dedicated to building a culturally diverse organization and strongly encourages applications from people of color and women. This position is classified as on-site at the Greenwich Audubon Center in Greenwich, CT. Onsite housing may be available. Length of Assignment: August 25, 2026 – November 30, 2026 Hours: Per Day: 8/Week: 40, Monday through Friday Compensation: $19.00 / hour

Requirements

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.
Must have reliable access to a pair of binoculars, spotting scope and smartphone for the duration of the season.
Familiarity with computer data spreadsheet analysis.
Self-motivated individual who can work independently in the field.
Ability to work 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, and others.

Responsibilities

Identify and count the 15+ species of hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures that migrate along the Atlantic Flyway.
Record and submit field data daily, including hourly weather conditions, species, and numbers of migrating raptors using TrekTellen data entry software via smartphone or iPad.
At the end of each count day, enter count data to Hawkcount.org.
Act as “the face” of the Hawk Watch; interact with visitors and volunteer hawk watchers with enthusiasm and act as an ambassador to the Greenwich Center.
With the Senior Coordinator of Public Programs, coordinate volunteer schedules and work with volunteers to conduct daily counts.
Assist with the delivery of public programs on raptor identification including working at least ONE weekend day for the center’s annual Hawk Watch Festival (Saturday September 26 2026)
Prepare and deliver a public presentation at the conclusion of the season that focused on the results of the Greenwich count and the issues raptors face during their migration.
Other duties associated with the Hawk Watch and hawk watching, as needed.
The Seasonal Hawk Counter is expected to conduct hawk watching duties Monday - Friday, 9 am to 5 pm from August 25th 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.