https://cincinnatizoo.org/about-us/job-opportunities/
ABOUT THE CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDEN AND AMERICORPS
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden offers opportunities for everyone! CZBG and AmeriCorps have partnered to bring a variety of fun, engaging, and conservation-based opportunities to audiences including youth, visitors, animal ambassadors, and more! Together, CZBG and AmeriCorps will provide quality STEM education to economically disadvantaged PreK-12th grade students, will engage Zoo visitors, volunteers, Zooteens, and community members in environmentally conscious practices and behaviors, grow and maintain Zoo and community garden spaces, facilitate data coordination for animal welfare excellence and conservation research, and support a variety of sustainability initiatives.
This position will focus specifically on providing STEM education to economically disadvantaged PreK-12th grade students to improve science literacy and academic engagement.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is known for many things - our conservation efforts, our green initiatives, our friendly staff… but did you know that we have a strong set of core values that make us the best team around, and a Top Workplace in Cincinnati? We’re more than coworkers… we’re family. By building Collaborative Relationships, displaying Positivity & Energy, having Pride, Passion & a Sense of Ownership, supporting Accountability, Mutual Trust & Respect, and embracing Progressive Thinking, we have built a team of dedicated staff that focuses on our visitors, our community, & our future.
This is what we believe and how we act. If this gets you fired up, we look forward to having you join our team!
ABOUT THE POSITION
The incumbent is a full-time AmeriCorps position serving 1,700 hours (40 hours per week) over an 11-month term of service (September 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023). Incumbent will work with and serve both school and public education audiences through the preparation, instruction, and evaluation of educational programming offered through the Living Classroom Education Access Fund (LCEAF). They will report directly to and be supervised by the Education Public Programs Team. Schedules will serve 5 days a week, 8-hour days and assigned as needed Monday-Saturday.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Train on and handle live animals for the education interpretive animal collection, employing the highest care and presentation standards as defined in the CZBG animal handling guidelines.
- Recruit students from Avondale and the Greater Cincinnati Metropolitan area for LCEAF Public Programs (Zoo Troop and Zoo Camps) and assist LCEAF children’s teachers and families to eliminate barriers in participation.
- Member will be responsible for assigned Zoo Troop and Zoo Camp age-band(s) containing LCEAF-funded PreK-12 children September – July.
- Developing and maintain curriculum
- Preparing materials & supplies
- Instructing classes containing LCEAF-funded PreK-12 children
- Evaluating performance measures
- Adjusting programs to a virtual platform, if needed.
- Develop and instruct family-centered public programs containing LCEAF-funded families.
- Mentor high school students (Zoo Academy students and Zoo Teens) in conservation and environmental education.
- Support Schools Services AmeriCorps members in the following program areas as needed:
- Close Encounters animal programs to school groups at the Zoo for day-time field trips during the months of September – May.
- Engaging with LCEAF-funded students in the Avondale community through the Nature Club after school program.
- Welcoming students on school buses during peak field trip season (March-May).
- Provide and coordinate high quality customer service during field trip arrival during peak school months.
- Prioritize the inclusion of sustainability and conservation messaging in program curriculum. Specifically championing the Zoo’s sustainability initiatives, the Build A Better Home For Wildlife (BBHW) messaging, and Plant for Pollinators campaign.
- Evaluate, assess, and report program goals and outcomes.
- Measure impact of and goals for the program year.
- Participate in a mid-year and end of year performance review process with supervisors.
- Complete bi-weekly timesheets to accurately report hours served.
- Participate in professional development workshops through AmeriCorps in-service days, service projects and Public Programs training opportunities.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Skills
- Strong writing skills
- Strong communication and public speaking skills
- Excellent organizational skills with ability to meet deadlines and independently manage multiple tasks and timely follow-through, with flexibility to adapt to changing needs and to work effectively with minimal supervision
- Willingness to seek and use available resources to support problem solving efforts
- Ability to independently problem solve and think strategically
- Ability to work and build relationships with people from diverse backgrounds
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
Commitment to Service
- Ability to fulfill a yearlong, full-time AmeriCorps service commitment
- Dedication to CZBG and AmeriCorps’ missions
- Enthusiastic and positive attitude toward helping others
Professionalism
- Dedication to CZBG mission, Core Values, and program areas
- Willingness to represent the CZBG to outside groups
- Maturity and good judgment in relating to CZBG peers, partners, and visitors
Additional Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree required
- A sincere commitment to wildlife and nature conservation, and desire to share that value with others
- Knowledge of informal science education, wildlife ecology, environmental science, biology, zoology and/or a related natural science
- Knowledge of/ education in/ experience in formal education, or environmental education, conservation education, or a related non-formal education field
- Experience handling birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates or a strong desire and willingness to learn.
- Desire and interest in working with people of all ages and backgrounds; demonstrated patience, rapport with, and understanding of underserved audiences.
- Ability to use basic and some advanced functions of Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, Publisher) the internet and web-based forms
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed
Required
- Valid Driver’s License
- Ability to travel locally when needed
- To serve as an AmeriCorps member, individuals must be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.
- Ability to stand, walk, climb and grasp objects
- Must be able to lift & move 50 pounds without mechanical assistance
- Appointment is conditional upon passing a pre-start drug screen, providing a negative TB test, providing proof of full vaccination status as defined by the CDC, and providing information to establish eligibility and complete a National Criminal History Check.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Total living allowance of up to $20,000 to be paid on a bi-weekly basis over the course of the 11-month service term.
- Eligible to receive an education award of $6,495 upon successful completion of 1,700-hour service term. *Value dependent on Pell Grant each year.
- Health care and childcare benefit eligible
- AmeriCorps status could qualify you for forbearance and interest payments on qualified student loans during service.
- Extensive training, practice, and skill building in the fields of environmental and informal education, conservation communication, research, and horticulture for all audiences, as well as seasonal tickets and discounts provided within the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.
- Making a difference in the community while being part of a dedicated service team.
