Global Conservation 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 specifically on wildlife conservation impact research and communications testing for zoo visitors and target communities to achieve our vision of facilitating a brighter future for wildlife and people through coexistence research. The goals are to innovate, evaluate, and improve our effectiveness in supporting both wildlife and people by focusing on increasing our 1) impact toward the threats to wildlife and causes for conflict with humans, 2) mobilization of our Zoo staff, audiences, and target communities through social science and behavior change research, and 3) elevation of our leadership in conservation and the zoo and aquarium field. An AmeriCorps service member’s support to develop innovative projects with our field conservation partners and evaluate their effectiveness by developing strong scientific skills will enhance our ability to reach these goals.
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 Conservation Impact Team. Schedules will serve 5 days a week, 8-hour days and assigned as needed Example: Monday-Friday.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Complete at least one round of wildlife conservation impact research from design to implementation and evaluation:
- Select 1 focal project from our signature conservation impact project list
- Conduct research into literature and current threats to the species and its habitat
- Design coexistence theory of change and evaluation framework
- Design project methods for implementation and monitoring data collection
- Data entry and statistical analysis
- Write a research manuscript with the Conservation Impact team for scientific publication
- Write report for CZBG and our partners about findings, best practices, and future research
- Explore best practices in effectively creating and delivering conservation messaging to inspire behavior change and mobilize action
- Create novel approaches, strategies, and outlets for communicating conservation messages to Zoo visitors, staff, and target communities with our global conservation field partners
- Work with Zoo staff to review, revise, and update conservation impact talking points in the CZBG website, messages for all CZBG staff, interpretation plans, signage, and stories to more effectively incorporate conservation messaging
- Create inclusive community engagement events with collaborators and partners to support and mobilize diverse audiences to take conservation action
- Work with field conservation partners and Zoo staff to collect reactions to and monitor target audience behavior to assess message effectiveness and conservation impact
- Support the Conservation Impact team’s achievement of the CZBG’s 4-part mission by:
- Creating adventure: Participate in data collection and communication about conservation projects led by CZBG and global partners.
- Conveying knowledge: Inspire Zoo visitors and community members with wildlife stories to mobilize conservation action.
- Conserving nature: Implement and evaluate methods to promote diverse conservation actions to promote impact and coexistence.
- Serving the community: Conduct social science to support community needs and promote wildlife coexistence in healthy landscapes.
- 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 training opportunities.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Skills
- Strong writing skills
- Strong data collection 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
- Commitment to teamwork
Commitment to Service
- Ability to fulfill an 11-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
- A sincere love of wildlife and nature, and desire to share that interest with others
- Knowledge of/ education in wildlife ecology, environmental science, biology, zoology 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
- Interest in impact research and social 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
- Ability to travel locally when needed, when the Zoo provides access to transportation
- To serve as an AmeriCorps member, individuals must be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.
- 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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