Ridgway's Hawk Field Study and Hack Site Attendant

Volunteers are needed to assist with both field studies and releases of the critically endangered Ridgway’s Hawk in the Dominican Republic, as part of The Peregrine Fund’s conservation program for this species. Please specify which position you are applying for though volunteers may spend time both in the field and at the release site.

Field Study Volunteer, March – June, 2012

This volunteer position will allow those interested in field biology/conservation to get hands on experience in one of The Peregrine Fund’s most exciting conservation projects. Successful applicants will spend at least two months living at one of 3 different field sites in Los Haitises National Park, Dominican Republic, between March and June 2016.

Field Duties:

Typical duties of volunteers include long hours of hiking each day (mostly weekdays) under difficult conditions to monitor and record observations at nest sites, identify banded hawks, and provide hands on management at nests (training provided). It is desirable that applicants are in excellent shape and comfortable working and hiking in adverse conditions such as rain, tough terrain, and tolerant of biting insects, mostly mosquitos. Individuals who have some experience handling raptors or other wildlife are encouraged to apply, but all applicants who have the desire to learn these skills will be considered. It is important that applicants have at least some basic Spanish speaking skills or an extreme desire to learn. The ability to work well with others and take direction from field supervisors is a must.

Provisions:

Rustic group housing will be provided. Conditions vary between sites, but typically you can expect to have camp like conditions with limited electricity and no running water. Drinking water is provided to the entire crew. Water for cooking/cleaning is typically either collected from rain water or brought from an outside source. Basic groceries will be provided at each field site. It will be the responsibility of the team to share cooking and cleaning duties. Each person receiving a position will be responsible for their own round trip transportation from their home country to either Santo Domingo or Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. We require that volunteers have their own health insurance which is valid in the Dominican Republic. Volunteer positions will be issued only to those over 18 years old.

Hack Site Attendant Volunteer, April – July, 2016

We are searching for suitable candidates to volunteer as hacksite attendants at our Puntacana release site for Ridgway’s Hawks. Desirable candidates are those interested in learning about the biology/behavior of Ridgway’s Hawks and are capable of enduring extended periods out of doors in all types of weather. We ask that only volunteers who can spend the entire hacking period of between April-July apply.

Hacksite Attendant Duties:

Working long hours observing (shifts start before sun up and end after sundown, usually this shift will be divided by two to three volunteers), taking detailed notes on feeding times and all interactions regarding the released hawks as well as other wildlife and human disturbances, food prep (rats), feeding birds for release both prior to and after release, climbing a tall ladder to place food, tracking individual hawks using telemetry, and daily communication with field supervisors. It is not required that hacksite volunteers speak Spanish but it is helpful. It is imperative that applicants work well with others and are capable of following instructions from field supervisors.
A typed report (format supplied) will be required upon completion of the project. This position requires long hours in the field. Extreme heat, heavy rain, and biting insects are common. Most of your time will be spent observing the birds from a blind.

Provisions:

Room and board will be provided by our project cooperators, the Puntacana Ecological Foundation. Each person receiving a position will be responsible for their own round trip transportation from their home country to either Santo Domingo or Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. We require that volunteers have their own health insurance which is valid in the Dominican Republic. Volunteer positions will be issued only to those over 18 years old.

General

The success of the study and release effort will depend on the effort of individuals as well as the team. Applicants receiving positions will participate in a unique study and assisted dispersal effort for the critically endangered Ridgway’s Hawk.
Each person receiving a position will be responsible for their own round trip transportation from their home country to either Santo Domingo or Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. We require that volunteers have their own health insurance which is valid in the Dominican Republic. Volunteer positions will be issued only to those over 18 years old.
Please send a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three references to:

Thomas Hayes, Ridgway’s Hawk Project Coordinator
by e-mail: hayes.thomas@peregrinefund.org