AmeriCorps - Sustainability Bowyer Farm Member

Sustainability Bowyer Farm Member Sustainability Impact Member

Number of position(s): 1

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (CZBG) and Ameri Corps have partnered to serve three communities in our region (Human, Wildlife and Ecological Communities) to further our mission and create a world where both people and wildlife can thrive and prosper. To this end, we have created service positions that bring a variety of fun, impactful, and conservation-based service opportunities that positively impact youth, zoo visitors, the animals in our care and our local environment.

Examples of the impactful service the program provides are:

• Providing quality STEM education to economically disadvantaged PreK-12th grade students
• Engaging Zoo visitors, volunteers, Zooteens, and community members in conservation practices and behaviors.
• Creating and maintain Zoo and community garden spaces that create wildlife habitat and green space for residents.
• Maximizing the wellbeing of the animals in our care
• Creating conservation partnerships that amplify our impact.
• Supporting a variety of sustainability initiatives that reduce our carbon footprint.

This position will focus on advancing CZBG's sustainability goals to be net-zero energy, water, and waste by 2026 and into 2027. 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!

The incumbent is a full-time Ameri Corps position serving 1,700 hours (40 hours per week) over an 12-month term of service (October 5, 2026 to August 24, 2027). 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 with some evening and weekend shifts required and scheduled in advance.

• Individually or collectively with other departments, generate internal communications surrounding the sustainability team's projects
• Facilitate the management of projects located at CZBG's Bowyer Farm location that expands regenerative agriculture and sustainable land management. These may include:
  • horticulture planting
  • syrup production
  • agrivoltaics
  • regenerative farming
  • composting
  • stream and ecological restoration work
  • soil testing
  • organizing ongoing research
• Maintain proper documentation of projects at Bowyer Farm using GIS mapping software and other standard systems
• Utilize GIS to track, plan, and streamline sustainability projects and help promote the use of GIS throughout the Zoo
• Schedule Sustainability Tours, help give tours, and direct schools, or organizations to the proper channels
• Coordinate with organizational partners, both at Bowyer Farm and the central Zoo location
• Serve as liaison between the sustainability department and other Ameri Corps member's departments as a member of the Ameri Corps Sustainability Group
• Assist with the collection of greenhouse gas data, analytics, and creation of environmental impact reports. This includes learning how to track and manage data related to procurement, utilities, etc.
• Assist in the coordination of projects within the Zoo's Community Solar Resiliency Program
• Help facilitate holiday drives for local schools and community partners
• Assist with other positive impact and community projects such as green space installations and neighborhood tree plantings
• Help expand and manage specialty recycling programs, 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 Ameri Corps in-service days, service projects and training opportunities

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…