Migration Counter

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Penn State`s Outdoor Education Field Lab and Nature Center—Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center—is searching for a part-time hawk migration counter that can provide accurate raptor identification and reporting, while providing informal interpretation to site visitors at the local fall hawk watch. The Stone Mountain Hawkwatch has been operating since 1991 by community volunteers in recording fall migrant raptors while interpreting visitors the biological phenomenon of hawk migration. Located in Pennsylvania’s ridge-and-valley region of the Huntingdon-Mifflin County border, 20 miles south of State College, the site runs from September 1 through December 15 and averages 4600 species each fall.

Duties: 

• Identify and count all migrant raptors
• Identify and record Golden Eagle, age, time of observation, American Kestrel gender, Northern Harrier age and gender, and any other notable behaviors
• Record hourly weather data
• Enter daily count into HawkCount database of the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA)
• Post daily results to the State College Bird Club list serv
• Interpret the natural history of raptor migration and communicate with the public at large
• Independently make decisions on delay or cancellation of count due to weather patterns

Qualifications:

• Applicant must have familiarity with bird identification and a background in identifying eastern raptors in flight is preferred, but not necessary.
• Applicants will need to be able to endure long days in the field, often in hot, cold and windy conditions and have the independence to make daily decisions on cancellation of count due to weather.
• Experience interacting with the public and excellent interpersonal skills is highly preferred.
• Although this position is expected to work 16-24 hours a week, applicant must have the willingness to work irregular hours, including some weekends.
• A personal pair of binoculars and spotting scope is preferred.
• Must be computer literate and capable of entering and managing data (computer access can be provided.)
• Applicant must have transportation to and from the hawk watch location.
• This is a part-time position that runs from September 1 -December 15.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

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