AmeriCorps - Community Garden Service Member

Community Gardens Member

Horticulture

Number of Position(s): 1

The ZOO UNTO OTHERS AmeriCorps Program


The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (CZBG) and AmeriCorps 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 greenspace 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.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is known for many things - our conservation efforts, our green initiatives, our beautiful botanical garden, 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 AmeriCorps Member in this position would support our goal of serving our community by contributing to the long-term success of zoo-affiliated community garden spaces. In addition to assisting with the creation of long-term garden maintenance plans for existing gardens, the member in this role will have the opportunity to connect community members to resources, provide educational opportunities, assist with the on-going maintenance of garden sites, and learn about the process of community revitalization. This position will not only help to enhance the aesthetics of our community but also build upon the relationship that we are cultivating with the community of Avondale.

Primary Focus: The primary focus of this service position is to assist in ensuring the on-going value of zoo-affiliated garden spaces within the community through the evaluation of previous garden designs and plant selections as well as the creation of long-term garden maintenance plans for these sites. The service member's role could expand to include hands-on horticultural trainings/demonstrations for community members in community garden spaces, coordinating/leading volunteer groups in garden installation and upkeep, facilitating community relationships, assisting Horticulture Department with the planning & execution of REDS Community Project goals, and designs for future garden installations within the community.


ABOUT THE POSITION

The incumbent is a full-time AmeriCorps position serving 1,700 hours (40 hours per week) over an 12-month term of service (October 5, 2026 to September 24, 2027). They will report directly to and be supervised by the Horticulture department. Schedules will serve 5 days a week, 8-hour days, and assigned as needed. Due to the nature of this role, tasks may favor an indoor or outdoor setting for periods of time during the service year.


Service Goals:

Primary Service Goals Include:

• Evaluation of plant selection and design for existing zoo-affiliated community garden spaces
• Creation of long-term garden maintenance plans and resources
• Support for Horticulture Department in the planning & execution of REDS Community Project goals
  • Service member would have the opportunity to attend some planning meetings involving the Horticulture Department and meet community leaders, partners, and other stakeholders while learning what the process of community revitalization looks like
• Research and create design ideas for potential future garden installations within the community
• 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

Secondary Service Goals Include:

• Contribute to the physical maintenance and enhancement of community garden spaces affiliated with the zoo and community-facing zoo gardens.
  • Tasks to accomplish this goal may include: growing plants, transplanting, watering, mulching, deadheading, pruning, weeding, string trimming, maintaining footpaths, reseeding/replacing sod, amending soil, overwintering plant material, and other garden maintenance tasks.
• Assist in the coordination and leadership of volunteer groups in garden installation and upkeep as necessary
• Provide hands-on horticultural trainings/demonstrations for community members in community garden spaces
• Collaboration and communication with other departments to accomplish big picture projects

Commitment to Service

• Ability to fulfill a 12-month, full-time AmeriCorps service commitment
• Dedication to CZBG and AmeriCorps' missions
• Enthusiastic and positive attitude toward helping others
• In addition to learning horticultural skills and plant identification from professional horticulturist well-regarded within the field, the service member will have opportunities to gain skills in leadership, communication, community collaboration, training/program development, and garden design.

Additional Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Ability to use basic and preferably advanced functions of Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, Publisher) the internet and web-based forms
• Ability to serve evenings and weekends as needed

Conclusion/Support for CZBG Mission & Goals

The AmeriCorps Member would support the mission and goals of our program and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden by assisting to ensure the long-term value of zoo-affiliated garden landscapes. The service member's contributions would impact overall aesthetics of the community and serve to promote and build upon the positive relationship that our organization strives to create. It would support our mission of inspiring people with plants every day and contribute to the five pillars of the Botanical Garden and Cincinnati Zoo:

• Collection - contribute toward the installation and maintenance of plants that provide a variety of benefits to community
• Education - providing passive education opportunities through plant labeling and active educational opportunities through trainings/hands on horticultural demonstrations for the community
• Research - evaluating current community garden designs and plant selections as well as researching and creating designs for potential future garden installations within the community
• Conservation - promoting plants for that provide multiple ecosystem services (aesthetics, food, wildlife value, erosion control, etc.)
• Community - enhancing shared community spaces, encouraging community pride, and strengthening our organizations relationship with the community

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
• Willingness to serve in a variety of weather conditions
• 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

• $30,000 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
• SNAP Benefits 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.