Job Postings – Hawk Migration Association

Hawkwatch Job Opportunities

Are you a hawkwatcher looking for a counting job? Take advantage of opportunities to count and/or work with sites all over North American and beyond. The job postings below are descriptions and links to opportunities with individual count sites (not employment opportunities with HMA).

Volunteer Position: Raptor Migration Counter

Location: Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia

Application Deadline: February 1, 2026 (Open Until Filled)

About the Role:

TROPICOS Colombia is seeking an experienced Hawk Counter to join our spring migration team at the Tolima Raptor Count, the only active spring raptor count site in South America that is part of the HMA network. Located in central Colombia, the site has been monitoring raptor migration since 2020, recording an impressive average of half a million raptors and up to 10 species each season.

This unique opportunity offers the chance to experience Colombia’s extraordinary biodiversity, immerse yourself in its vibrant culture, and explore the country with the highest bird species diversity in the world. Get ready to add plenty of lifers to your list while contributing to meaningful conservation work.

Details:

Duration: February 15 – April 15 (minimum one-month commitment required).
Schedule: Fieldwork: Two days on, one day off.
Monthly stipend: $250 USD
Additional benefits include:
- Health insurance.
- Housing provided.
- Local transportation to the count site covered.

Responsibilities:

Identify and count all migratory raptors and songbirds.
Record flight height, flight direction, and other behavioral observations.
Document hourly weather data.
Assist attendees and volunteers in their learning to identify raptors and point out birds to visitors.
Input daily counts into the HawkCount database (HMA) and EBird.

Make independent decisions regarding count delays or cancellations due to weather.

Qualifications:

Proven experience identifying raptors in flight. Familiarity with local bird species is a plus.
Ability to work long days outdoors, often in hot weather.
Strong decision-making and interpersonal communication skills; Spanish proficiency is an advantage.
Basic data entry and management skills.
Must possess a valid driver’s license (verify acceptance of your license in Colombia).
Personal binoculars are preferred but not required.

To Apply: Send your cv with 2 references and, in the body of the email include your motivation to join the project, relevant experience and your availability for the season to: tropicoscolombia@gmail.com

For questions, contact Esther Vallejo at esthervallejo@tropicoscolombia.org

Job Alert: Senior Program Manager and Program Manager for Community Science

Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy | San Francisco Bay Area| Full-Time with Benefits

Join the team behind one of the Bay Area’s most iconic community science programs. The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory engages 100+ volunteers each fall to study migrating birds of prey in the Marin Headlands.

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is hiring two, full-time positions:

Senior Program Manager, Community Science

Leads overall operations for raptor banding and Hawkwatch, oversees permits and field safety, manages data and science communication, supervises staff, and guides volunteer coordination. Ideal for experienced raptor banders or those qualified to hold a USGS Bird Banding Lab permit. Application reviewed on rolling basis, until search closes

Program Manager, Community Science

Supports daily implementation of GGRO programs—with a stronger focus on Hawkwatch—manages field operations, data workflows, volunteer coordination, and community science engagement. Ideal for candidates with raptor ID skills, field research experience, and project or program management background. Apply by 1/4/2026

Apply at https://www.parksconservancy.org/careers

Both roles will:
• Coordinate and train 100+ volunteers through NPS’s Volunteers-in-Parks program
• Ensure safe, high-quality field operations during migration season
• Support long-term ecological data collection and reporting
• Collaborate closely with the National Park Service and other Park Conservancy staff
• Help bring science to life through public engagement and outreach

We are looking for:

-Raptor ID or bird banding expertise (higher for Senior PM)

-Experience in field research, data management & science communication
-Leadership skills and commitment to inclusive, community-engaged science

-Ability to thrive in dynamic outdoor environments with multiple stakeholders and partners.

These positions are eligible for hybrid telework, but must be in-person multiple times per week and include regular fieldwork in the Marin Headlands and some weekend/evening availability during peak migration. Join us in advancing curiosity, community connection, and Parks for All Forever.

Braddock Bay Raptor Research

2026 Raptor Research and Education Internships

Raptor Research Internship

Up to two positions available.

Objective: Provide an opportunity for an individual interested in a career in avian research to gain hands-on experience working with raptors in the field. Interns will learn about and participate in raptor banding, and raptor migration counts and surveys.

Duties/Opportunities:

Raptor Banding –

Assist with raptor banding operations, including lure bird care, station set up and maintenance, data collection, photo documentation
Assist with trapping and banding raptors under the supervision of a licensed bird bander
Assist with raptor banding data entry
Interpretation and education on site for public visitors and organized groups

Hawkwatch –

Assist with the raptor migration count by spotting and identifying raptors in flight
Assist with data entry, both live on-site and at day’s end into the HawkCount database
Learn proper raptor identification and count techniques
Interpretation and education on site for public visitors and organized groups

Owl Roost Survey –

Collect data and observations during a daily survey of the Owl Woods portion of the management area. Focus species are Northern Saw-whet Owls and Long-eared Owls, but other species can be encountered.

Timing

March through mid-May; start and end dates flexible.
Part-time – Minimum of about 10 hours/week. Schedule will be set based on applicant’s availability.

Requirements

Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Proper outerwear and footwear for cold weather is essential.
Good communication skills and readiness to work with others.
Must have own transportation.
Optics in the form of binoculars (at least 8x) will be needed. Spotting scope is helpful as well, but not required. BBRR may be able to provide if needed.
Bird, especially raptor identification knowledge a plus. More training will be provided.

To apply, send letter of interest, resume and references to Daena Ford at information@bbrr.org. Deadline to apply is February 1, 2026.

Raptor Education Internship Up to two positions available. Objective: Participants will gain knowledge of and experience caring for and working with captive raptors that are used in educational programs. Participants also have the opportunity to gain experience in conducting presentations and leading educational programs and lessons.

Duties/Opportunities:

Learn to care for non-releasable captive birds of prey used for educational purposes. This includes activities such as preparing food, cleaning enclosures, and assisting with health and maintenance checks on the birds.
Learn handling and training methods for captive raptors used in education.
Assist with outreach programming in the community utilizing education raptors.
Lead or assist with programs at Braddock Bay, including owl prowls, banding station tours, and organized field trips.
Participate in Bird of Prey Days event held in April.

Timing:

mid-February-mid May. Start and end dates are flexible.
Part-time – Minimum of about 4-6 hours/week, possibly more during the month of April. Flexible scheduling.
Opportunity is there to extend internship into June if applicant is available.

Requirements

Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Proper outerwear and footwear for cold weather is essential.
Must have own transportation.
Good communication skills and readiness to work with others.
Good presentation skills.
Experience working with animals a plus.
Experience presenting in an educational setting (school, nature center, etc.) a plus.
Optics in the form of binoculars (at least 8x) will be needed. BBRR may be able to provide if needed.
Bird, especially raptor identification knowledge a plus. More training will be provided.

To apply, send letter of interest, resume and references to Daena Ford at information@bbrr.org. Deadline to apply is February 1, 2026.

For questions or additional information please contact brown@hawkmigration.org

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