Position:  Hawk Watch Coordinator – Cape Henlopen State Park

Full-time, Seasonal Position August 24 - November 30, 2026

Site: Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes Delaware

Schedule: September 1 – November 30, 2026

Typically, 40 hours per week, Tuesday through Saturday 9am to 4pm from September 1 through November 30, 2026. Dates and times may change depending on the weather or other circumstances, and you may be required to start early and/or stay late during heavy flight days. We will need you to be in the area during the last week of August to attend a day-long orientation.

Mission

Founded in 1964, the Delaware Nature Society (DelNature) is a state-wide, non-profit organization that aspires to be inclusive and multicultural, celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity in nature and people. Our mission is to connect people and nature to create a healthy environment for all, through education, conservation, and advocacy. DelNature delivers hands-on environmental education and conservation programs at four sites: Ashland Nature Center (HQ), in Hockessin, DE; DuPont Environmental Education Center, in Wilmington, DE; Coverdale Farm Preserve, in Greenville, DE; and Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, in Milford, DE. At these and other sites, we also manage over 2,000 acres of land, including four nature preserves. DelNature is a state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. We envision Delaware as a place where people view themselves as part of nature and understand that nature is essential for life; recognize the immediacy of addressing environmental issues; and take pride and joy in caring for the natural world.

Position Summary        

We are looking for a candidate that is extremely competent with raptor identification to count the numbers of each species migrating south along the Atlantic coast during the fall. The ideal candidate should be comfortable working independently as well as with assistants, and be outgoing, friendly, and able to interpret hawk migration to visitors of different ages and levels of knowledge. This is a 40-hour/week position, September through November. A telescope and binoculars will be provided.

The long-running Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch is a partnership between the Delaware Ornithological Society (DOS), the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), and the Delaware Nature Society (DNS). It takes place on a platform overlooking the sea at Cape Henlopen State Park, a popular state park in south Delaware. 5,000 to 20,000 raptors of at least fifteen species are expected each fall.

This position reports to the Delaware Nature Society Ornithologist.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a consistent presence as the official hawk counter at the hawkwatch Tuesday through Saturday each week, September 1 through November 30. 
• Interpret hawk migration for visiting groups and individuals.
• Manage and train volunteer hawk counters and data assistants.  Track and report volunteer hours.
• Compile daily totals and submit them to the Hawk Migration Association database.
• Update outdoor tally boards at end of each day.
• Post a daily summary of raptor migration as well as other avian highlights to the Delaware birding listserv (DE-birds).
• Enter data on raptors plus other birds into e-Bird each day.
• Prepare a series of bi-monthly reports to DNREC and DNS as well as preparing a final season report for publication in the Delaware Ornithologist journal.

• Ensure all DelNature policies and procedures, including health and safety protocols, are implemented and always enforced. 
• Ensure volunteers follow state park regulations.

• Promote and support DelNature’s mission, values, goals, activities and membership to a wide array of audiences.
• Perform other duties as requested by the supervisor or senior leadership staff.

Qualification and Experience

• Must be able to identify eastern raptors in flight, sometimes at great distances, and preferably all other birds likely to be encountered.
• Must be willing and able to interpret raptor migration for the public and work well with people in general, including volunteers. Must be outgoing and welcoming to visitors.
• Must be able to tolerate a variety of outside conditions including heat, cold, wind, and biting insects.
• Must be computer literate (Excel, Word, eBird, mailing lists) and capable of entering data in an on-line database.
• Background check required.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to thirty pounds and be able to carry, move, and set up necessary supplies and equipment.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• Ability to plan, lead, and participate in program activities in a variety of indoor and/or outdoor settings, weather, and terrains.

Salary and Compensation

This is a $20.50/hour full-time, 40 hours/week seasonal position. Housing may be available.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY – Delaware Nature Society considers candidates for all positions on the basis of qualifications and without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, genetic information, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran or other protected classification and in accordance with applicable federal, state & local laws.

Apply online at  Apply at DelNature.org

Delaware Nature Society reserves the right to change this job description as conditions change.

Salary : $21