Volunteer Job Descriptions

Description

Volunteers monitor rangeland health on Boulder County agricultural land by visiting established data points to assess current resources and trends over time.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Digitally photograph each location as outlined
• Report data collected to volunteer coordinator in timely fashion

Training and Commitment

• Attend one field training in June (TBA time and location)
• Commit to at least one season of monitoring
• Monitor the sites at least once a month, from May to September

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Experience in rangeland and/or plant ecology or natural resource background
• Native plant identification experience and knowledge of local plants is desirable
• Ability to maintain computer records
• Proficiency with digital photography preferred
• Willing to work alone or with a group
• Understand need for rigor and accuracy in scientific data collection
• Be in good physical shape, and able to work on varying and possibly rough natural terrain
• Enjoy working in the outdoors, in all types of weather
• Abide by all open space rules and regulations
• Must have personal transportation

Benefits

• Access to key information for protecting agricultural and wildlife resources
• Hone your knowledge of Boulder County's ecology and natural history
• Access to agricultural properties that are closed to the general public
• Opportunity to meet and work with people with similar interests
• Network with land management professionals and job reference (as needed)

Description

Volunteers assist Boulder County Parks and Open Space in developing a soil health database by conducting soil health assessments on county agricultural lands.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Conduct in-field monitoring procedures to assess soil physical, chemical, and biological properties
• Report data collected to volunteer coordinator in timely fashion

Training and Commitment

• Attend two training sessions: one weekday evening and one field day (TBA time and locations)
• Commit to at least one year of monitoring (prefer a two year commitment)
• Monitor at least one location, at least three times throughout one growing season

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 16 years old (volunteers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult for all volunteer responsibilities and training)
• Interest in food production and environmental health
• Interest in agriculture, soil ecology or soil health
• Willing to physically get hands dirty to complete tests
• Enjoy working in the outdoors, in all types of weather
• Willing to work alone or with a group, groups of two are preferred
• Understand need for rigor and accuracy in scientific data collection
• Good physical shape, and able to work on varying and possibly rough natural terrain
• Abide by all open space rules and regulations
• Must have personal transportation

Benefits

• Gain technical knowledge and skills in soil health assessment
• Access to key information for protecting agricultural and soil resources
• Gain knowledge of Boulder County's agricultural practices
• Access to agricultural properties that are closed to the general public
• Opportunity to meet and work with people with similar interests
• Network with land management professionals and job reference (as needed)

Description

The Agricultural Heritage Center at the Lohr/McIntosh farm represents this area's agricultural roots and pioneer history. Visitors and organized groups have the opportunity to explore the many restored outbuildings, museum exhibits, livestock pens, and a period furnished farm house surrounded by 255 acres of agricultural open space. There is also a volunteer managed heirloom vegetable garden that represents a World War I era Victory Garden.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Work in conjunction with other volunteers to plan, plant, weed, water, and harvest the garden
• Occasionally speak to visitors when volunteering during public visitation hours

Training and Commitment

• Attend new volunteer training and orientation
• One season, May through October

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 14 years old (volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian during training and volunteer shifts)
• Gardening experience
• Ability to work on a team and independently at different times of the year
• Knowledge or interest in agriculture, historic preservation, and/or local history
• Must have personal transportation
• Pass criminal background check

Benefits

• Opportunity to meet and work with people with similar interests
• Advanced training sessions and field trips
• Access to our Volunteer Resource Library
• Receive monthly Cultural History Corner newsletter

Description

The Agricultural Heritage Center at the Lohr/McIntosh farm represents this area's agricultural roots and pioneer history. Visitors and organized groups have the opportunity to explore the many restored buildings, museum exhibits, livestock pens, and a period-furnished farm house surrounded by 255 acres of agricultural open space. Livestock are a vital component of the programs at the AHC and need care twice a day, seven days a week.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Feed a wide variety of livestock on a consistent schedule (mornings and/or afternoons)
• Communicate updates on livestock feed supplies and health conditions to supervisor and other volunteer livestock caretakers
• Cleaning pens is not required, but highly appreciated

Training and Commitment

• Attend new volunteer training, and occasional refresher training
• Minimum commitment of one consistent shift per week (e.g. every Monday morning) from late March – early November

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 14 years old (volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian during training and volunteer shifts)
• Experience caring for livestock highly desired, but not required
• Strength and balance to carry hay and grains from storage buildings to livestock pens
• Need to be prepared for inclement weather as livestock need to eat rain or shine
• Must have personal transportation
• Pass criminal background check

Benefits

• Spend time with farm animals
• Opportunity to meet and work with people with similar interests
• Advanced training sessions and field trips
• Access to our Volunteer Resource Library
• Receive monthly Cultural History Corner newsletter

Description

The Agricultural Heritage Center at the Lohr/McIntosh farm represents this area's agricultural roots and pioneer history. Visitors and organized groups have the opportunity to explore the many restored buildings, museum exhibits, livestock pens, and a period-furnished farm house surrounded by 255 acres of agricultural open space.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Lead educational site tours for organized groups such as elementary school classes and community organizations
• Speak to a wide range of ages, including families, school children and seniors
• Open and close site for organized groups

Training and Commitment

• Attend new volunteer training offered every March
• Lead at least four tours per calendar year

Qualifications and Requirements

• Be at least 14 years old (volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian during training and volunteer shifts)
• Knowledge or interest in agriculture, historic preservation, and/or local history
• Customer service experience and a desire to work with the public
• Comfortable speaking to a wide range of ages and audiences
• Ability to walk and talk for one to two hours at a time
• Pass criminal background check
• Must have personal transportation

Benefits

• Opportunity to meet and work with people with similar interests
• Advanced training sessions and field trips
• Access to our Volunteer Resource Library
• Receive monthly Cultural History Corner newsletter

Description

Volunteers lead educational, fun programs at Heil Valley Ranch's Altona Schoolhouse.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Present one room programs to group visiting the Altona School. Requested programs may  choose from a pioneer school experience or a World War II school experience, or learn about hard rock mining with an artifact trunk.
• Set up and clean up props, activity areas.
• Research, develop, and present future field trip or public program activities.
• Research and lead period-appropriate crafts, games, and possibly songs.

Training and Commitment

• Attend a new volunteer training course (one afternoon session)
• Minimum commitment of three programs per year

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 14 years old (volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian during training and volunteer shifts)
• Passion about local history
• Comfortable speaking to a wide range of ages and audiences
• Must have personal transportation
• Pass criminal background check

Benefits

• Sharing your knowledge of and enthusiasm for Boulder County's history with all ages in a variety of environments
• Continuing educational opportunities through training workshops and field trips
• Access to volunteer resource library at the Agricultural Heritage Center in Longmont
• Opportunity to meet and work with people with similar interests
• Receive monthly Cultural History Corner newsletter

Description

The James F. Bailey Assay Office Museum, located in the historic town of Wallstreet, just west of Boulder, provides a glimpse into the lives and livelihood of the assayers who worked closely with other members of the mining community. Assaying was a method used to determine the potential value of a mine by revealing the amount of gold or other precious metals found in the raw ore.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Speak to a wide range of ages, including families and seniors
• Prepare museum for opening and closing
• Research mining topics for exhibition development and/or artifact cataloging
• Possibly assist leading Hard Rock Mining Tours
• Lead occasional group tours requested ahead of time
• Yard care or gardening, as needed

Training and Commitment

• Attend new volunteer training offered in May
• Staff the Assay Office Museum (open April through October, on the third Saturday of the month, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 15 years old (volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian during training and volunteer shifts)
• Passion about local history
• Knowledge or interest in mining, geology, metallurgy, or related field
• Customer service experience and a desire to work with the public
• Comfortable speaking to a wide range of ages and audiences
• Minimum commitment of two 5-hour shifts, twice per year (May - October)
• Must have personal transportation
• Pass criminal background check

Benefits

• Opportunity to meet and work with people with similar interests
• Advanced training sessions and field trips
• Access to our Volunteer Resource Library at the Agricultural Heritage Center in Longmont
• Receive monthly Cultural History Corner newsletter

Description

The Nederland Mining Museum tells the story of hard rock mining, a reason for which many communities in the area were founded. The Nederland Mining Museum provides a glimpse into the lives and livelihoods of miners and mining communities.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Staff the museum (open June 1-October 31 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Volunteers typically work a half day shift in the morning or afternoon
• Prepare museum for opening or closing
• Speak to a wide range of ages, including families, school children and seniors
• Research mining topics for exhibition development and/or artifact cataloging
• Lead occasional group tours
• Possibly assist leading Hard Rock Mining Tours

Training and Commitment

• Attend new volunteer training in May
• Minimum commitment of one 3-hour shift, two weekends per month (June - October)

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 14 years old (volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian during training and volunteer shifts)
• Knowledge or interest in mining, geology, metallurgy, or related field
• Customer service experience and a desire to work with the public
• Passion about local history
• Comfortable speaking to a wide range of ages and audiences
• Must have personal transportation
• Pass criminal background check

Benefits

• Opportunity to meet and work with people with similar interests
• Advanced training sessions and field trips
• Access to our Volunteer Resource Library
• Receive monthly Cultural History Corner newsletter

Description

The Walker Ranch Homestead, located just west of Boulder on Flagstaff Road, was first settled by the Walker family in the 1870s. Volunteers share historical chores and games of the 1880s-1900. The site is open once each season for Heritage Days, and during spring and fall weekday mornings for school groups.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Demonstrate chores and games (recreate life) of the 1880s-1900
• Set up and clean up living history demonstration areas/props
• Speak to a wide range of ages, including families, school children and seniors
• Possibly research, develop and present new living history demonstrations at the homestead and/or at requested outreach sites such as schools, senior centers, etc.
• Possibly lead occasional group tours

Training and Commitment

• Attend a new volunteer training course (training consists of four sessions on weekend afternoons in the summer)
• Minimum commitment of two Heritage Days and/or School Days each year

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 9 years old (volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian during training and volunteer shifts)
• Passion about local history
• Knowledge or interest ranching/agriculture, old fashioned life or related fields
• Comfortable speaking to a wide range of ages and audiences
• Willingness to wear period, gender and age-appropriate reproduction clothing (costumes) provided by the department
• Provide own solid leather (or leather look-alike) footwear that is brown or black
• Must have personal transportation
• Pass criminal background check

Benefits

• Opportunity to meet and work with people with similar interests
• Advanced training sessions and field trips
• Access to our Volunteer Resource Library at the Agricultural Heritage Center in Longmont
• Receive monthly Cultural History Corner newsletter

Description

Volunteers assist in developing and running educational programs that introduce kids to fishing.

Main Volunteer Responsibilities

• Participate in kids fishing clinics by assisting with the set up and teaching of beginner fishing skills (such as knot tying, casting, and fish handling)

Additional Volunteer Responsibilities (as needed or as available)

• Provide park visitors with information about a park’s fishing opportunities, lure and bait issues, and other local recreation information
• Assist the department at fishing events as a greeter and/or providing verbal and hands-on education
• Assist wildlife staff with electrofishing in streams and rivers to determine fish species and populations

Training and Commitment

• Complete one full-day training (typically in April or May)
• Commit to working at least three special events, between May and October (about 15 - 20 hours each year)

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Comfortable initiating conversations
• Willing to work as a part of a team
• Provide park visitors with excellent customer service as a trained, uniformed Boulder County Parks and Open Space representative
• Abide by all open space rules and regulations, and set an example for other park visitors
• Must have personal transportation
• Pass criminal background check

Benefits

• Opportunity to meet and work with people with similar interests
• Network with land management professionals
• Advanced training sessions and field trips

Coming Soon

Description

The Left Hand Outdoor Challenge encourages young adults to become stewards of our public lands. Innovative monthly challenges hosted by Boulder County Parks and Open Space staff and volunteer program leaders will expose participants to a variety of outdoor careers and resource management issues.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Build strong mentor relationships with participants; limited to Left hand Outdoor Challenge events, meetings and activities.
• Teach and monitor participant involvement in a variety of natural and cultural resource management topics relating to Boulder County Parks and Open Space.
• Assist in monthly challenges that explore resource management concepts, stewardship skills, outdoor ethics, service learning and leadership.
• Support Boulder County Parks and Open Space staff in the direction and implementation of program responsibilities.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Pass a criminal background check.
• Show a willingness to be involved in outdoor activities, volunteer service and environmental stewardship.
• Complete an interview process and pass a background check.
• Be open to building professional mentor relationships with teen participants that support a positive team environment and contribute to the healthy development of the participants.
• Must agree to limit their contact with participants to sanctioned program events, meetings and activities.
• Attend at least 50 percent of all activities from September through May each year, including an orientation and program graduation.
• Must adhere to Boulder County Parks and Open Space policies and procedures and submit to the direction of Boulder County Parks and Open Space staff.

Benefits

• Help young adults develop a sense of environmental stewardship and outdoor leadership.
• Learn valuable outdoor skills and be exposed to outstanding natural and cultural resources throughout Boulder County.
• Gain professional experience supporting multiple Boulder County Parks and Open Space disciplines including forestry, park operations, resource protection and education and outreach.

Description

The Left Hand Outdoor Challenge will encourage young adults to develop skills necessary to become stewards of our public lands. Through demonstration and hands on application of resource management techniques, participants will be able to apply sound environmental stewardship practices through service learning, environmental education, leadership and challenging outdoor activities. Innovative monthly challenges will be hosted by Boulder County Parks and Open Space staff from various specialties exposing participants to many different resource management issues and natural environments.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Participate in a variety of natural and cultural resource management topics relating to Boulder County Parks and Open Space.
• Complete monthly challenges that explore resource management concepts, stewardship skills and outdoor ethics.
• Select, plan, and execute a unique volunteer service project in Boulder County that will culminate in the Left Hand Outdoor Challenge year-end celebration!

Qualifications and Requirements

• Be between 14-18 years old at the beginning of the program.
• Must adhere to Boulder County Parks and Open Space policies and procedures.
• Must be committed to the program and attend all meetings and challenges. Program runs September through May, consisting of one monthly Saturday Challenge.  
• Show a willingness to be involved in outdoor activities, volunteer service and environmental stewardship.
• Complete an application and an interview.
• Be open to challenging themselves, working as a positive team member and have a desire to contribute to their community. 

Benefits

• Develop an understanding of the open space program.
• Identify natural and cultural resource management issues affecting Boulder County Parks and Open Space.
• Curriculum will expose participants to local and regional natural and cultural resource issues and allow opportunities to make educated decisions about conservation and stewardship.
• Letters of reference and volunteer service hours for college applications.
• Get to know like-minded teens and develop new friendships.
• Explore careers in natural and cultural resource management.
• Develop valuable leadership skills needed to become a steward of our natural resources and a leader in your community.

Description

Volunteers shares the natural history of Boulder County with people of all ages, especially relating to Boulder County Parks and Open Space lands.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Develop and present outdoor and indoor interpretive programs
• Lead nature hikes and other natural history-related field experiences
• Present programs for the general public and Boulder County schools, groups and organizations

Training and Commitment

• Complete 10-week training course (meets one day per week) and attend two programs by the end of training
• Prepare and present a minimum of six interpretive programs each year
• Attend at least two advanced training workshops or field trips per year

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Strong background and/or interest in the natural history of Boulder County
• Some knowledge of natural science is preferred
• Willingness to learn and desire to share knowledge with others
• Enthusiasm and good communication skills
• Dependable, self-motivated and independent worker
• Abide by all open space rules and regulations, and set an example for other park visitors
• Must have personal transportation
• Pass criminal background check

Benefits

• Sharing your knowledge of and enthusiasm for Boulder County's natural history with all ages in a variety of environments
• Opportunity to meet, work with, and learn from people with similar interests
• Continuing educational opportunities through participation in advanced training workshops and field trips offered throughout the year
• Access to the Volunteer Naturalist Resource Center and Library

Description

The Volunteer Ranger Corps is a volunteer program designed for individuals with an interest in natural resources as well as those considering careers in community education and outreach, law enforcement, or other natural resource related fields.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Park Patrol
  • Provide park visitors with information about local resources, recreation, and rules and regulations
  • Report any trail, resource, and wildlife issues identified in the field to department staff
  • Collect visitor data

• Special Assignments
  • Assist with public outreach such as festivals, special events, trailhead displays, and Junior Ranger programs
  • Participate in visitor studies
  • Assist with emergency operations when requested by staff
  • Assist staff with work projects that enhance the experience of visitors

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Desire and ability to work outdoors hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding on trails
• Interest in local resource management issues
• Comfortable initiating conversations
• Attend new training held once per month, January through May every other year
• Commit to participate in program for at least two consecutive years
• Patrol at least 24 hours total and participate in three special assignments (annually)
• Abide by all open space rules and regulations, and set an example for other park visitors
• Must have personal transportation
• Pass criminal background check

Benefits

• Opportunity to participate in advanced training sessions and field trips
• Opportunity to meet and work with people with similar interests
• Network with land management professionals

Description

Volunteer hosts help make sure that sort yards at Meeker Park (near Allenspark) and Nederland continue to be a local hub of community-based forestry information. Volunteers greet people as they enter the yard, collect data on the material they are delivering, provide information about forest ecology, bark beetles, and wildfire mitigation.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Greet visitors as they arrive at the sort yard and collect information (such as tree species, reason for removal, origin of material, and accurate volume numbers)
• Record data electronically and by hand
• Properly identify bark beetle infested wood
• Hand out publications about forest health issues
• Provide direction to users to keep traffic flowing inside the yard
• Volunteers are not expected to help unload logs or slash

Training and Commitment

• Attend a half day field training
• Available to work for two to four time blocks (the greatest need for volunteers is from 9am to 5pm on Wednesday and Saturdays).
• Willing to commit to a minimum of 6 hours per month.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Have an outgoing personality, and be comfortable interacting with people of all ages
• Enjoy working in the outdoors, in all types of weather
• Interest in forest ecology and restoration (experience in natural resources or project management is helpful)
• Understand need for rigor and accuracy in data collection
• Be in good physical shape, and able to carry up to 20 pounds
• Wear their county provided T-shirt and hat during shifts
• Must have personal transportation

Benefits

• Hone your knowledge of Boulder County’s forest ecology and restoration best practices
• Opportunity to work outdoors and meet people with similar interests

Description

Volunteers assist Parks and Open Space plant ecologists in maintaining the Native Seed Garden, a native seed increase effort for use in ecological restoration. Volunteers regularly visit the garden for weeding and general maintenance, seed collection, occasional plant harvest, and other duties as necessary.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Visit the garden for group weeding / maintenance sessions on Wednesday mornings
  • Typically, from 8am – 11am; times may vary depending on season and weather
  • Join group sessions at least twice per month or as assigned by coordinator
• Adhere to all COVID-19 protocols according to Public Health officials
  • Including (but not limited to) wearing a face covering and maintaining a 6ft social distance from others

Training and Commitment

• Attend a training session in spring
• Commit to at least one season of stewardship (April – October; depending on weather)
• Help maintain the garden at least twice per month or as assigned by coordinator

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age, or accompanied by an adult
• Must have personal transportation
• Ability to identify common, noxious and invasive weed species following training from volunteer coordinator
• Must be in good physical shape, with ability to bend, squat or kneel for an extended period
• Abide by all open space rules and regulations, and set an example for other park visitors

Benefits

• Contribute to the success of an in-house, small scale native seed increase operation
• Opportunity to meet and work with people with similar interests
• Continuing education opportunities as they arise
• Network with land management professionals

Description

Volunteers track shrub health relative to climate, deer and elk use, and fire interval on North Foothills Open Space properties in the late fall and winter (October – January).

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Record findings and communicate with the department's wildlife staff
• Enjoy working in the outdoors, in all types of weather and terrain
• Willing to work alone or with a group

Training and Commitment

• Attend new volunteer training in early April
• Commit to at least one year of monitoring (prefer a two year commitment)
• Able to monitor at least once a month

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Preferred experience with scientific protocol
• Preferred education in biology, ecology, natural sciences
• Experience in plant and animal identification or natural resources background
• Ability to maintain computer records, have computer skills
• Desired experience in interpreting aerial photos and topographic maps
• Desired experience using GPS or other “smart device” (iPhone, Android, etc.) to navigate to waypoints
• Experience in line and point transect monitoring helpful
• Understand need for rigor and accuracy in scientific data collection
• Must be in good physical shape, and able to work on steep and natural terrain
• Abide by all open space rules and regulations, and set an example for other park visitors
• Must have personal transportation

Benefits

• Work off-trail in a natural setting and contribute to research on open space properties
• Hone your knowledge of Boulder County's ecology and natural history
• Meet and work with people with similar interests
• Network with land management professionals

Description

Families, small groups, and individuals can adopt a trail, park, or shoreline, by picking up trash four times a year. A sign will be posted at the trail or park showing others you are making a difference. Great for young volunteers!

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Enjoy working outside and be willing to pick up trash
• Volunteers must elect a group leader that will be in charge of coordinating clean ups and be the contact for the department's adopt-a-trail coordinator
• Group leaders will be responsible for requesting garbage bags from adopt-a-trail coordinator and reporting trail/park problems if any.
• Additional opportunities to assist with other trail projects and weed pulls
• Be courteous to other park visitors and not block the trail when picking up trash.
• Are not required to pick up dog poop
• Are not required to wade into ponds or creeks to retrieve litter
• County will provide trash bags, litter grabbers, and on-site interpretive programs upon request

Volunteer Commitment

• Commit to at least 2 years
• Pick up litter at least four times a year, from April through October, in adopted area including the parking lot and picnic shelter
• Fill out a Trail Report after each pick up event

Qualifications and Requirements

• Group leader must be at least 18 years of age (other volunteers can be younger)
• Be in good physical shape, and able to carry up to 20 pounds
• Abide by all open space rules and regulations, and set an example for other park visitors
• Must have personal transportation

Benefits

• County will install a sign at the adopted trailhead recognizing the adopting group/individual after the first clean up
• Demonstrate positive land stewardship values to open space visitors
• Enjoy the serenity of the open spaces

Description

Volunteers monitor Abert's squirrel populations in ponderosa pine forests to assist in forest treatment planning and post-treatment effects on squirrel populations.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Should enjoy working in the outdoors, in all types of weather and terrain
• Willing to work alone or within a group (usually in a pair)

Training and Commitment

• Attend new volunteer training in early April
• Commit to at least one year of monitoring (prefer a two year commitment)
• Monitor at least once a month and record signs of Abert’s squirrel activity

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Preferred education in biology, ecology, natural sciences
• Experience in wildlife species field identification (small mammals preferred) or natural resources background
• Preferred experience with scientific protocol
• Experience in line and point transect monitoring
• Ability to maintain computer records, have computer skills
• Desired experience in interpreting aerial photos and topographic maps
• Desired experience using GPS or other “smart device” (iphone, android, etc.) to navigate to waypoints
• Understand need for rigor and accuracy in scientific data collection
• Be in good physical shape, and able to work on steep and natural terrain
• Abide by all open space rules and regulations, and set an example for other park visitors
• Must have personal transportation

Benefits

• Work off-trail in a natural setting and contribute to research on open space properties
• Hone your knowledge of Boulder County’s ecology and natural history
• Opportunity to meet and work with people with similar interests
• Network with land management professionals

Description

Volunteers assist the department in in recording and reporting on raptor breeding chronology, nest productivity, and affiliated behaviors.

• Monitor assigned sites according to schedule and protocol
• Willing to work alone, in pairs or with a group
• Willing to advance in skills or act as a team leader
• Adhere to ethical field, survey, wildlife viewing and photography practices
• Adhere to practices which support sensitive data policy

Training and Commitment

• Attend training session
• • Commit to at least one year of monitoring

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Preferred experience with scientific protocol
• Preferred education in biology, ecology, natural sciences
• Familiarity with Colorado ecosystems and habitats
• Skilled or developing proficiency in native plant and animal ID, especially birds of prey
• Desired experience using GPS to navigate to waypoints and understanding topographic maps
• Understand need for rigor and accuracy in scientific data collection
• Basic computer skills and access to the internet for prompt data entry
• Desired experience using trail maps, topo and aerial maps, to navigate to observation areas
• Enjoy working in the outdoors, in all types of weather
• Be in good physical shape, and able to work on steep and natural terrain, or sitting/standing for long observation periods
• Reliable transportation, quality binoculars or spotting scope
• Must abide by all open space rules and regulations

Benefits

• Learn about raptor identification, and spend time observing the behavior and nest events of local birds
• Contribute to the larger effort of learning more about local raptors
• Access to agricultural properties that are closed to the public
• Meet people with similar interest in raptors