Field Assistants for Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk project

Job Description: The Peregrine Fund is seeking several field assistants to conduct nest searches and research on the endangered Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus venator) in the central mountains of Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk is one of the most threaten birds in Puerto Rico, and its population has drastically declined. The goal of this project is to monitor known pairs, search for new nesting pairs and to determine productivity. The field season will begin from April to early/mid-July depending on when the breeding season finishes. Early in the breeding season work will require driving mountain roads and hiking in rainforests searching for nesting pairs. The candidates should be in good physical condition as some work will involve hiking in rugged undulating terrain to locate nesting pairs and conducted nest observations. The applicants have to be comfortable working long hours in humid and wet weather. Applicants should be self-motivated and able to work both alone and as part of a team. Some experience trapping and banding raptors and accessing nests is desirable and beneficial. Having conversational or intermediate Spanish is desirable and beneficial but not required. Above all, a positive attitude and desire to work and learn are qualities expected of candidates.

Salary: A stipend is provided for assistants and varies depending on experience. Travel support or a portion to and from Puerto Rico may be provided depending on cost.

Housing: will be provided in a 3-bedroom house with a kitchen and laundry.

Vehicle: the use of a vehicle will be provided.

Qualifications Required:

• Previous field experience with raptors – highly desirable as it is important to be familiar with raptor behavior
• Field identification of raptors
• Trapping and banding of raptors desirable
• Navigating with topography maps and hand-held GPS units
• A valid driver’s license is required

Desired Qualifications:

• Conversational Spanish

To Apply: Submit electronically (email) by April 7, 2017 or until the positions are filled.

• Resume/cv (two pages maximum) with three references
• One page cover letter highlighting field experience
• Name the file LastName_FirstName_PRSSHassistant.

Contact: Russell Thorstrom: RThorstrom@Peregrinefund.org