Autumn Count Coordinator

We are seeking enthusiastic and dedicated raptor watchers to serve as count coordinators and together be the backbone of the team for the entire autumn season. The team of count coordinators leads the daily operation of the count and guarantees the quality of the monitoring. All food and accommodation costs are covered and in addition a stipend is paid. If you think you might wish to apply, please read on.

Photo by Karine Drost.

Description

Count coordinators are integral to the soul of the BRC count. They oversee the daily operation of our stations and help ensure the quality of the data we collect. As a count coordinator, you will work in a team together with two other count coordinators. Your job will be to ensure not only that BRC monitoring protocols are followed and that all data is recorded correctly and timely in the tablets, but also to manage the volunteers to ensure consistent and uniform coverage of the stations. The team of coordinators is also expected to encourage and sometimes participate in social events, to contribute to a good atmosphere for all involved, and to participate in PR-related activities. You must be ready to put in long hours and to lead by example, ready to pitch in to help carry out whatever tasks are required to ensure the quality of the count. Count coordinators will give, with support from the BRC team, several presentations to help counters to identify species like harriers or eagles. After the count is wrapped up, they will contribute to the season report.

Photo by Rei Segali.

Requirements

You are ideally willing to commit working with BRC for the entire selected period, from August 8th through October 24th 2024. If you are not able to commit for the full season, please indicate which half of the season you are available. Full-season applicants will get priority over those that are able to come half-season only. Preferably, you are experienced with the BRC counts, other migration counts and/or with raptor monitoring. You should have conversational command of the English language, a social and communicative character, some background with identifying most Western Palearctic raptor species at distance, and empathy for counters on all levels of identification skills. Basic computer competency and the willingness to contribute to the public outreach will be needed.

If you have not already read the Autumn Count page, please do so before submitting your application.

We encourage all former BRC counters to consider applying as coordinator!

Photo by Bart Hoekstra.

Benefits

Count coordinators will be covered for all expenses during their stay, including accommodation and food. Travel costs will be reimbursed up to €400. In addition, we can offer a stipend of €1000 to full-season coordinators to cover living costs at home. We are accommodated in comfortable shared rooms in a family guesthouse together with the volunteers. The family cooks for us every morning and evening, and lunch is packed for the day. During the season, there will be several social events (BBQ, beach-night, occasional restaurant visits) and coordinators have regular days off to explore the surroundings or to have some rest.

Coordinator positions for the 2024 Autumn Count are filled. Applications are closed.

How to apply

To apply for this position, please send us your short CV with related experiences and draft a one page cover letter:

  • with your name, age, contact information (postal mailing address, email address, and cell number or Skype username),

  • describing your interest and personal motivation,

  • any background you feel pertinent to this application,

  • what you believe you can offer to the BRC as a count coordinator this autumn,

  • and ideally 1 or 2 references if this is your first time participating in our project.

Please email your letter in English to volunteer(at)batumiraptorcount(dot)org under the title "Count Coordinator" by March 7th at the latest. We will get in touch with you as soon as possible! Don’t hesitate to send us an email if you have questions.

Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to hearing from you!

Cordially yours,
The BRC Team