What are the responsibilities and job description for the AmeriCorps - Animal Conservation & Research - CREW Imperiled Cat Signature Project position at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden?
Animal Conservation & Research - CREW Imperiled Cat Signature Project
Number of Position(s): 1
ABOUT THE CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDEN AND AMERICORPS
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden offers opportunities for everyone! CZBG and AmeriCorps have partnered to bring a variety of fun, engaging, and conservation-based opportunities to audiences including youth, visitors, animal ambassadors, and more! Together, CZBG and AmeriCorps will provide quality STEM education to economically disadvantaged PreK-12th grade students, will engage Zoo visitors, volunteers, Zooteens, and community members in environmentally conscious practices and behaviors, grow and maintain Zoo and community garden spaces, facilitate data coordination for animal welfare excellence and conservation research, and support a variety of sustainability initiatives.
This position will focus specifically on understanding, researching, and communicating activities and results of the Imperiled Cat Signature Conservation Project at the Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.
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 CREW Research Associate and Cat Colony Manager, Christina Bunner. Schedules will serve 5 days a week, 8-hour days and assigned as needed, Monday-Friday.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide support for domestic cat veterinary care, including restraining cats, sterilizing instruments, preparing surgical packs, administering medications, and assisting during medical procedures and surgeries
- Oversee the intake, processing, and organization of fecal, blood, and saliva samples
- Learn and apply operant conditioning techniques to train domestic cats for medical handling
- Support ongoing research projects in cat welfare and reproduction by learning techniques such as hormone extraction, video scoring, semen collection/evaluation/cryopreservation, fertility analysis, scientific communication, experimental design, and scientific writing
- Train, mentor, and assist volunteers, students, and interns
- Evaluate, track, and report on the progress of program goals and outcomes
- Measure impact of and goals for program year
- Participate in mid-year and end-of-year performance evaluations
- Participate in professional development through in-service days, service projects, and training opportunities
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Skills
- Strong written and verbal communication 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
- Ability to understand and interpret animal body language in order to work safely with live animals
- Comfortable handling biological samples, including fecal samples, blood, saliva, and sperm
- Ability to independently problem solve and think strategically
- Ability to work and build relationships with people from diverse backgrounds
- Strong attention to detail
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, preferably in animal science, biology, zoology, or a related field
- Possess a strong understanding of basic animal research and study design principles.
- Experience handling cats or other small mammals or a strong desire and willingness to learn
- Willingness to expand areas of expertise and learn new skills to meet the challenges of working in a fast-paced research environment
- 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
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
$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
- 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.
Salary : $30,000
