Part-Time Tussey Mountain 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 an energetic part-time hawk migration counter that can provide accurate raptor identification and reporting, while providing informal interpretation to site visitors at the local spring hawk watch. This is a part-time position that runs from February 23rd - April 25th.

Located in Pennsylvania's ridge-and-valley province near State College, Tussey Mountain Hawk Watch is one of the premier spring Golden Eagle migration sites on the Eastern flyway, averaging 186+ individuals each spring. Full-time counts have been conducted from late February through late April since 2001 with an average of 1,800 raptors each spring, including up to 16 species.

Duties:

• Identify and count all migrant raptors, waterfowl, and songbirds
• Identify and record Golden Eagle, age, time of observation, height of flight, flight type, flight path, and any behavioral observations.
• 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
• Attend the State College Bird Club meeting once per month
• 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 40 hours a week, applicants must have the willingness to work irregular hours, including some weekends due to unpredictable weather patterns.
• 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 with a valid driver's license.

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