Organization: HawkWatch International

Project Supervisor: Jordan Herman

Location: Salt Lake City and Koosharem, Utah

Salary: $2,600/month

Timeline: 40 hours/week for ~3 months, January – March 2023

About HawkWatch International

Founded in 1986, HawkWatch International (HWI) is a raptor conservation nonprofit with a mission to conserve the environment through education, long-term monitoring, and scientific research on raptors as indicators of ecosystem health. We just celebrated our 35th anniversary and are ready to invest in people who can help our hardworking team of educators, scientists, and administrative staff.

About the position

HWI is seeking two technicians to conduct field work from January through March 2023. This work is part of HWI’s ongoing study of eagle-vehicle collisions in the West.

Primary duties and responsibilities

Primary duties of this position include relocating animal carcasses caused by vehicle strikes and recording associated data. Carcasses that are a viable food source for eagles will be moved from the highway roadside to the easement (right-of-way) border. Technicians will also set up and maintain trail cameras to monitor eagle use of carcasses, review photos, and collect data on raptor mortality. The position may include filling in on other HWI projects as needed. The study area is in central Utah, near Koosharem and Loa.

The position involves long hours of driving interspersed with physically demanding work (i.e., lifting or dragging large animal carcasses with a partner). The team of two will work together with minimal supervision for the duration of the surveys. Technicians can expect to work 40 hours/week M-F and spend up to three consecutive days and two nights in the field weekly. While in the field, technicians will be housed in the same motel room, with motel costs covered by HWI. Shared housing is provided for free in Salt Lake City when not in the field.

Competitive Candidates will have:

• A valid driver’s license
• Experience operating an ATV on all types of surfaces or uneven terrain with rain, mud, snow
• A keen eye for searching
• Attention to detail and excellent note-taking skills
• Ability to navigate using maps and a GPS unit
• Experience with basic vehicle maintenance and repair (changing tires, putting on snow chains, getting unstuck from mud, etc.)
• Ability to lift 75lbs and drag 200lbs with a partner
• A strong stomach and the ability to work with dead wildlife
• Ability to ID western raptor species and other raptor experience is a plus, but not required

How To Apply

Send a resume that includes a one paragraph summary of your career goals and your skills and experience that are relevant to this position to Jordan Herman at jherman@hawkwatch.org. Please write “EVS UT 2022 Application – {Your Name}” in the subject line of your email. We still stop accepting applications after November 21, 2022 or once we receive 50 applications (this post will be removed when the announcement is closed). If you are selected for an interview, please be prepared to provide contact information for 1-2 references. We plan to make offers no later than November 30, 2022.