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Hydroponics & Local Food Member
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 poor 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.
This position will focus on the day-to-day operations and management of two hydroponic container farms, helping CZBG reach its goal of developing a sustainable and resilient local food system, and extending the food initiatives by fostering our community partnerships.
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 a 12-month term of service (October 1, 2025, to September 25, 2026). They will report directly to and be supervised by the Sustainability team. Schedules will serve 5 days a week, 8-hour days and assigned as needed. Regular workdays will be Monday-Friday, with occasional evening and weekend shifts, as needed, and scheduled with advance notice.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Participate in all aspects of the growth cycle in a typical hydroponic container farm, including seeding, transplanting, and harvesting various types of leafy greens.
- Learn how to mechanically operate a hydroponic farming system, focusing on irrigation systems and plumbing, water fertigation, and HVAC operation and maintenance.
- Understand the importance of cleaning and sanitation in a controlled environment.
- Identify common agricultural pests, assess treatment options, and apply solutions.
- Learn to recognize indicators of plant health and implement intervention strategies.
- Contribute to data collection on harvest results, plant growth information, and emissions savings.
- Develop verbal communication skills through interdepartmental collaborations (sustainability, horticulture, LSS, commissary, and animal departments).
- Develop written communication skills through content creation for internal and external messaging.
- Explore opportunities to source more local food for the animal food supply.
- Establish relationships with community partners and collaborate to extend the program's reach.
- Measure the impact of and set goals for the program year.
- Participate in mid-year and end-of-year performance reviews with supervisors.
- Complete bi-weekly timesheets to accurately report hours served.
- Participate in professional development workshops, AmeriCorps in-service days, service projects, and training opportunities.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Skills
- Strong writing 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
- Teamwork
Commitment to Service
- Ability to fulfill a yearlong, 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 required
- 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
- Ability to work in varied environments, including enclosed spaces i.e. shipping containers that have been converted into high-tech hydroponic farms
- 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, providing a negative TB test, and providing information to establish eligibility and complete a National Criminal History Check.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Total living allowance of $30,0000 to be paid on a bi-weekly basis over the course of 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.
- Making a difference in the community while being part of a dedicated service team.
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Cincinnati Zoo
Feb 17, 2025