Position:  AmeriCorps - Sustainability Impact Member
Location:  Cincinnati, OH
Job Id:  1051
# of Openings:  1

Sustainability Impact Member 
 
Sustainability Impact Member
Number of position(s): 1
 
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 on advancing CZBG’s sustainability goals to be net-zero energy, water, and waste by 2025. The Sustainability team is working to develop the roadmap to meet these goals, as well as developing goals of regenerative environmental impact that go beyond our campus borders. 
 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 (October 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025). They will report directly to and be supervised by the Sustainability Impact Team. Schedules will serve 5 days a week, 8-hour days and assigned as needed Example: Monday-Friday.
 
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Analyze, evaluate, and monitor purchasing data and processes to help advance the Zoo in the creation of a positive impact purchasing policy.
  • Serve as a liaison between the education and sustainability departments, participating in the Americorps Sustainability Group.
  • Assist with utility data collection, analysis, reporting, and billing.
  • Facilitate the management of projects that expand the sustainability and regenerative landscape at the Zoo’s Bowyer Farm.
  • Assist in the development of a yearly community solar installation.
  • Assist in the tasks related to managing our hydroponics greenhouse and shipping container farms.
  • Collaborate on finding and writing grants as it pertains to certain projects.
  • Help expand and manage specialty recycling plan and program, researching end-markets, coordinating zoo-wide communication, and scheduling pick-ups.
  • Attend community related meetings and networking events.
  • Evaluate, assess, and report various project 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 training opportunities.
 
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
 
Skills
  • Strong writing skills
  • Strong data collection and analysis 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
  • Ability and desire to work collaboratively
  • 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
Commitment to Service
  • Ability to fulfill an eleven- month, 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 or equivalent experience required
  • A sincere love of wildlife and nature, and desire to share that interest with others
  • Knowledge of engineering, environmental science, biology, zoology or a related natural science
  • 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
  • Living Stipend to be paid bi-weekly over the 11-month service term.
  • Eligible to receive an education award 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.
 
We strive to be an organization that is diverse and reflects the fullness of society. With a strongly held value for an organizational culture characterized by inclusion and belonging, we are committed to equity in all we do. We are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to our organization’s diversity and who want to walk alongside us in our commitment to inclusion and equity. We are a Ellequate Certified Leader in Workplace Equity. Non-traditional candidates of diverse backgrounds are not only welcomed, but highly encouraged to apply.

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