Golden Eagle Field Technician

Golden Eagle Field Technician
HawkWatch International
Western Utah; Salt Lake City, UT
Salary: $2,700/month 
Start Date: Mid December
End Date: Late March

Job Summary

HawkWatch International is seeking a Field Technician to assist with monitoring and trapping golden eagles for the Golden Eagle Supplemental Feeding Project, a multi-year project conducted by HawkWatch International in collaboration with the Department of Defense. The goal of the project is to assess how supplemental feeding influences eagle health, distribution, reproductive success, and longevity. 

The Field Technician will work closely with the Biologist transporting roadkill carcasses to monitored sites, maintaining game cameras, trapping eagles, and attaching GPS transmitters to birds. Field work frequently involves driving long distances across Utah’s west desert, and long days starting well before sunrise in high-elevation winter conditions. Office work includes reviewing game camera photos, cleaning and maintaining equipment.

While in Salt Lake City, lodging will be provided at no cost, and hotel rooms while overnight in the field are covered. Vehicles for conducting field work are provided by HawkWatch International. There is some flexibility in start and end dates.

Qualifications

The technician will have:

• A strong work ethic and positive attitude, and interest in birds and conservation 
• Have a valid driver’s license, be able to drive long hours in remote areas, and be comfortable driving off-road in work vehicles
• Ability to pass a background check for Department of Defense property access
• Attention to detail, a keen eye for searching for aerial scavengers
• Ability to work both as part of a two-person team and independently
• Flexibility with a constantly shifting work schedule (works hours in a field day will likely exceed 12 hours, and some weeks will have well beyond 40 hours of work)
• Ability to sit still for many hours in a truck waiting for eagles to approach a site
• 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 75 lbs and drag 200 lbs with a partner
• A strong stomach; ability to work with carcasses in various stages of decay
• Adequate winter clothing that will get dirty from handling carcasses
• Ability to ID western raptor species and other raptor species is a plus, but not required

How to Apply

Send a cover letter and CV/resume in a single PDF to Cody Allen at callen@hawkwatch.org.  Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Final decisions will be made by October 31, 2022. Feel free to reach out with any questions.