AmeriCorps - Animal Conservation & Research - CREW Rhino AIRS Signature Project

Animal Conservation and Research- Rhino Airs Signature Project Animal Lab Management - Animal Research Division (CREW) 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.

This position will focus specifically on supporting CREW scientists dedicated to studying rhinoceros species and other endangered species. Service members will be trained in general laboratory skills and will participate in and may contribute to one or more research projects (to learn more about CREW’s research, visit: http://cincinnatizoo.org/conservation/crew/). The individual’s training program will be tailored based on the selected candidate’s skillset and aptitude, as well as current needs of staff scientists.

What is AIRS? American Institute of Rhinoceros Science - a model for saving species with science ex situ AIRS is a new, big initiative, taking rhino science and collaboration to a new level while helping to save rhinos from extinction. AIRS is led by a coalition of expert rhino scientists and is founded on the partnership between CREW (with its renowned Signature Rhino Conservation Project), and The Wilds (one of the most successful rhino breeding and management facilities). This large coalition will employ a multidisciplinary strategy to overcome the four greatest scientific challenges to sustaining rhino populations within our nation’s zoos. The team recognizes that the scientific challenges are inter-related and studying one of them in isolation will fall short of what could be achieved by tackling all of them together. In short, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. AIRS will consist of a team with individuals in all stages of their training/careers. The project will produce science-based, affordable and feasible management recommendations for monitoring and controlling physical condition, iron overload, and reproduction, while ensuring optimal rhino wellbeing. This program will set a precedent for saving species with science in zoos, a model with value for all species at risk in the wild.

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 12-month term of service (October 5, 2026 to September 24, 2027).They will report directly to and be supervised by Elizabeth Donelan at CREW. Schedules will serve 5 days a week, 8-hour days, Monday-Friday.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

* General laboratory upkeep, including, but not limited to:

• Washing dishware
• Maintaining and sterilizing equipment
• Preparing media
• Processing fecal samples from a variety of species
• Coordinate, train and manage volunteers.
• Train and manage quarterly zoo academy student.
• Evaluate sperm sample slides.
• There may be some work with other species as well (felids and polar bears), but the internship will focus on CREW’s AIRS research.
• Assist in sample management and handling
• 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:

• Eager to learn with an outstanding work ethic
• Extremely detail-oriented and organized
• Able to multi-task and anticipate needs
• Comfortable working with biological (fecal, serum, saliva, semen etc) samples
• Prompt and reliable in the areas of attendance and performance
• Able to work well with CREW scientists, zoo staff, volunteers, and the general public.

Commitment to Service

• Ability to fulfil 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

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in biology/ecology/zoology or related field required
• Lab experience is preferable, but not required
• A sincere love of wildlife and nature, and desire to have a career in a related field
• Knowledge of/education in wildlife ecology, environmental science, biology, zoology or a related natural science
• 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

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 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.