Fall Visitor Services Specialist  

Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory  

Location: Duluth, MN  

Seasonal Position: August 27th-November 1st, 2026  

Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve is one of the premier fall bird migration sites in North America. Raptor  migration research and education have been conducted at the site for over 50 years! It’s the western most count on the Great Lakes with an advantageous location on a rocky ridge overlooking the western  tip of Lake Superior. Annual fall averages include 63,000 raptors and 200,000+ passerines/other birds  counted and approximately 3,000 raptors (hawks & owls) and 1,800 passerines banded. Fall migration  highlights include an amazing diversity of nearly 20 different raptor species and 100+ species of other  birds! The Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory (HRBO) in Duluth, MN is the non-profit organization that  manages and provides bird research and education at the nature reserve. The fall staff of HRBO are key  representatives in HRBO’s mission of promoting conservation of raptors and other birds in the Western  Lake Superior Region through research, education, and stewardship.  

Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory (HRBO) in Duluth, Minnesota is seeking 2 Visitor Services Specialist  team members during the annual fall bird migration at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. These are  seasonal positions for approximately 9.5 weeks between August 27 - November 1, 2026. One position is  the lead full-time (35-40 hours/week, 5 days) and the other part-time (10-15 hours/week). However,  there is a possibility to also have 2 part-time positions (20-25 hours/week).  

Fall visitor services take place at the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve main overlook. Primary duties include  daily operations of the Hawk Ridge gift shop trailer (handling sales of merchandise, memberships,  donations & program fees through Square point of sale system; assisting with merchandise inventory,  restocking, & organizing displays; managing daily sales close out & deposit). Other visitor services tasks  include greeting visitors, answering general questions, informing visitors about memberships and  donations, & collecting visitor information.  

Requirements include a minimum of one season of previous experience working with general public  and tolerance of working outdoors (heat, cold, wind). Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a  valid driver’s license, and personal vehicle for transportation.  

Seasonal employment rate $15.75-$16.95/hour depending on position. Preference will be given to  individuals with visitor services experience, retail sales, and/or knowledge of Hawk Ridge and birds.