Hawkwatch Lead Counter

Bedford Audubon is offering a 14-week paid opportunity to be the primary counter on our Hawk Watch at Chestnut Ridge, Bedford Hills, NY. BAS has conducted this fall raptor migration count on Chestnut Ridge at the Arthur W. Butler Memorial Sanctuary in Bedford Corners, New York since 1982. The BAS Hawk Watch is part of the Hawk Migration Association (HMA) network. The successful candidate will work with a team of staff and volunteers to ensure the site is staffed seven days a week during the count period and that all Hawk Watch data conforms to the protocols of HMA and is uploaded daily to the HMA database.

The successful candidate interacts with visitors to the platform to answer questions and assist in hawk identification during the public hawk watch periods, is available for public and educational programs at the Hawk Watch platform during the Hawk Watch season and for at least one evening public presentation to BAS members at the Katonah Library in November. The successful candidate completes the season by producing a final report detailing the findings of the 2026 Hawk Watch season which must be submitted to BAS no later than one week after the count ends.

Job Description:

The successful candidate will be the primary counter on the Hawk Watch and will work with a team of staff and volunteers who will be the primary counters during days you are not on site. The primary counter will ensure all Hawk Watch data conforms to the protocols of HMA and is uploaded daily to the HMA database. This person will ensure “volunteer counters” on site, as well as incidental visitors to the Hawk Watch platform, are all recorded with data being transmitted to BAS daily. The successful candidate agrees to be available to volunteers and visitors to answer questions and assist in hawk identification during the public hawk watch periods. The primary counter will also be available for public and educational programs at the Hawk Watch platform during the Hawk Watch season and for at least one evening public presentation to BAS members at the Katonah Library in November. The primary counter will also be responsible for a final report detailing the findings of the 2026 Hawk Watch season which must be submitted to BAS no later than one week after the count ends.

Core Responsibilities:

Core responsibilities for the 2026 season will include the following:

• Be the primary counter on the Hawk Watch work with a team a team of staff and volunteers who will be the primary counters during days the consultant is not on site.
• Ensure all data needed by both HMA and BAS is recorded, uploaded where needed, and presented: 
• Ensure data conforms to the protocols of HMA and is uploaded daily to the HMA database.
• Record “volunteer counters” on site as well as incidental visitors to the Hawk Watch platform and get those to BAS daily.
• Be available to volunteers and visitors to answer questions and assist in hawk identification during the public hawk watch periods.
• Be available for at least one evening public presentation to BAS members at the Katonah Library.
• Write/create a final report detailing the findings of the 2026 Hawk Watch season.

Required Skills & Qualities:

• The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic individual with a passion for raptor conservation, and for sharing that with the public. This person must be skilled in identification of N. American raptors from a distance.  The candidate should possess general naturalist and ornithological skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience in nature interpretation is desirable.
• The candidate should be self-motivated and able to work successfully independently as well as in a supportive team atmosphere. The candidate should be in good physical condition and willing to work outside for extended periods and in Bedford Audubon’s casual yet professional office environment. Further, the candidate should be able to withstand the physical rigors of the job, including carrying optical equipment and supplies up a short but rugged trail to the Hawk Watch platform, as well as being able to work outside for extended periods in all kinds of fall weather conditions experienced in the United States Mid-Atlantic states. Candidates should hold a valid driver’s license and have personal transportation. 

Details:

Dates: 14-weeks from August 25th of this year till November 28th

Compensation: $17.00 per hour, 35 hours per week.

Location: Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch at the Arthur W. Butler Memorial Sanctuary in Bedford Corners, NY

Housing: available to the successful candidate at our Bylane Farm operations center. Please inquire for details.

Location: Bylane Farm (35 Todd Road, Katonah, New York, 10536)

To Apply:

Please email a cover letter, résumé, and two references to Tait Johansson at tjohansson@bedfordaudubon.org The cover letter should describe interests and personal goals for the position. Please also include any academic or personal date restrictions. Deadline to apply is July 1, 2026.

Bedford Audubon’s mission is to grow and nurture a community that values the conservation of birds and their habitats. We do this by providing high-quality environmental education programs, research, and birdwatching experiences. We proudly serve the communities of Armonk, Bedford, Brewster, Carmel, Katonah, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Patterson, Pound Ridge, Somers, and Yorktown.

Established in 1913, Bedford Audubon is one of the oldest Audubon chapters in the country.