AmeriCorps - Urban Forestry - Horticulture

Urban Forestry - Horticulture

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 contribute to the establishment and long-term success of urban tree plantings and micro-forests in the greater Cincinnati area through the evaluation of past installations and methods, development of educational resources that can be shared with community partners involved with urban reforestation efforts, and the physical installation of trees and micro-forest within communities in this urban environment. The member in this role will learn about the process of urban reforestation and build upon the relationships that we are cultivating with the community of Avondale and greater Cincinnati.

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 tree planting projects in greater Cincinnati, specifically zoo-affiliated projects, to ascertain factors that contribute to the success or failure of these sites.
• Creation of shareable resources to assist other groups in the successful establishment of trees and micro-forests in the urban landscape. This would include information about site preparation, tree selection, methods of planting and establishing new trees, long-term care for these species and spaces, and challenges that these trees and micro-forests may experience in the face of climate change, development, and other issues specific to the urban environment.
• Support for Horticulture Department in the planning & creation of micro-forests within Avondale and the greater Cincinnati area
• Contribute toward the CZBG Legacy Tree program by growing seedlings and cuttings from trees that have been identified as genetically valuable specimens. These trees can be distributed and utilized in underserved communities to enhance the urban tree canopy, maintain diverse urban forests, and spread our legacy tree messaging as it relates to different plants, promoting strong adaptable plants suitable for the urban environment, and succession planting.
• 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 urban reforestation looks like
• Research and create design ideas for potential future micro-forest 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 planting and establishment of trees and micro-forests within Avondale and the greater Cincinnati area.
• Tasks to accomplish this goal may include growing and distributing trees, transplanting, watering, mulching, pruning, weeding, string trimming, collecting and processing seed, and general tree maintenance tasks.
• Assist in the coordination and leadership of volunteer groups in tree planting and early establishment.
• Provide hands-on horticultural training/demonstrations for community members who will plant and maintain trees in their communities.
• Collaboration and communication with other departments to accomplish big picture projects.

Commitment to Service

• Ability to fulfill an 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 required to sustain plants for pollinators in the urban landscape from professional horticulturists, the service member will have opportunities to gain skills in data collection & analyzation, collaboration with institutional and industry partners, leadership, communication, presentation/resource development, and conservation at local and regional levels.

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 tree plantings and micro-forests to local communities.  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 trees that provide a variety of benefits to community
• Education – creation of shareable resources to assist other groups in the successful establishment of trees and micro-forests in the urban landscape
• Research – evaluation of zoo-affiliated tree planting projects in greater Cincinnati to ascertain factors that contribute to the success or failure of these sites as well as creating potential design ideas for future micro-forests within local communities
• Conservation – preserving and establishing tree species that will serve future generations of people and wildlife in a variety of ways for years to come
• 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 30 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.
• SNAP Benefit eligible
• Health care and childcare 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.