AmeriCorps - Plant Conservation and Outreach

Cincinnati Zoo • Cincinnati, OH

9h • $30,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (CZBG) and AmeriCorps have partnered to offer a full-time AmeriCorps position focused on plant conservation and outreach. This role will work with the CREW Plant Research Division to study and support the conservation of rare and threatened exceptional plant species. The member will receive training in laboratory skills and participate in research projects, with a training program tailored to their skills and the needs of the staff scientists. Exceptional plants are those that cannot be conventionally seed banked and require alternative methods like cryopreservation and tissue culture. The position emphasizes CZBG's core values of collaboration, positivity, pride, accountability, trust, respect, and progressive thinking. The service term is 1,700 hours over 12 months, from October 1, 2025, to September 25, 2026, with a schedule of 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday.

Requirements

• Strong interest in plant conservation
• Eager to learn with an outstanding work ethic
• Extremely detail-oriented and organized
• Able to multi-task and anticipate needs
• Capable of working independently
• Prompt and reliable in attendance, performance, and communication
• Ability to fulfill a yearlong, full-time AmeriCorps service commitment
• Dedication to CZBG and AmeriCorps’ missions
• Enthusiastic and positive attitude toward helping others
• 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
• Valid Driver’s License
• Ability to travel locally when needed
• Must be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States to serve as an AmeriCorps member.
• 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• Background in biological sciences or horticulture preferred
• Lab experience is preferable, but not required
• A sincere love of plants, and desire to have a career in a related field
• Occasional availability on evenings and weekends for events

Responsibilities

• Assist with the Exceptional Plant Conservation Cryobiotechnology project, including sterilizing and processing plant tissues, initiating tissue culture, observational data collection, photo documentation, and data entry/analysis.
• Grow and maintain plants transitioning from test tubes to outdoor or shipping environments, involving routine checks of growing spaces, watering, weeding, pruning, repotting, washing pots and terrariums, and assisting with volunteer instruction.
• Perform general laboratory and greenhouse upkeep, including subculturing plant tissue collections, preparing media, washing dishware, and maintaining/sterilizing equipment.
• Evaluate, assess, and report on program goals and outcomes, and measure the impact of goals for the program year.
• Participate in mid-year and end-of-year performance reviews.
• Complete bi-weekly timesheets.
• Participate in professional development workshops through AmeriCorps in-service days, service projects, and training opportunities.
• Manage the CREW Plant Lab Zoo Academy program, working with high school students, mentoring them, training them in lab techniques, and managing their projects.
• Prepare and facilitate educational outreach projects for the CREW Plant Lab, including preparing educational materials, social media posts, and educational materials/videos for the Exceptional Plant Conservation Network.

Benefits

• $30,000k Living stipend to be paid bi-weekly over the 12-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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees