AmeriCorps Member at the Salisbury Zoo

The Salisbury Zoo is seeking a Full-Time AmeriCorps member for the 2026-2027 service year.

Founded in 1954, the Zoo began with a small collection of animals and has since grown into a beloved community attraction featuring naturalistic habitats representing North America, South America, and Australia. Set across 12 acres, the Salisbury Zoo offers an enjoyable and accessible experience for guests of all ages. Paved pathways and ramped boardwalks provide easy navigation throughout the grounds, while ADA-compliant restrooms and family-friendly amenities, including changing tables, help ensure a comfortable visit for everyone.

With its animals, staff, volunteers, and park-like setting, the Zoo encourages appreciation of wildlife and inspires conservation of our natural world.

Member Responsibilities:

• Coordinate, schedule, train, and lead volunteer groups and individual volunteers.
• Facilitate service-learning projects with community groups and individuals.
• Assist with zoo-wide grounds and maintenance projects to support the needs and functionality of the facility.
• Assist in the planning, coordination, and implementation of zoo events and programs.
• Conduct grant research and assist with grant writing to support zoo initiatives and projects.

Requirements for applicants include the following:

• Have a strong interest in serving the community
• Be able to relate to diverse populations
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Able to provide copy of either high school diploma, GED, or college transcript
• Have reliabletransportation
• Be available to attend the free, AmeriCorps class at SU alternate Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., during the Fall and Spring semesters.
• Must successfully pass a comprehensive Criminal History Check, which includes FBI fingerprinting
• Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or lawful permanent resident alien
• Applicants DO NOT need to be college students, anyone from the community who fits the above requirements may participate.

Benefits available to the AmeriCorps Member:

• Valuable experience
• A bi-weekly stipend of $1250
• An education award of $7,395 for future educational expenses or repayment of student loans
• members who are age 55 or older may gift their ed. award to a child or grandchild
• Federal student loan forbearance while in service, with exemption from paying interest accrued during that time, upon successful completion
• 8 tuition-free credits at Salisbury University for completion of training course
• Health insurance and child care reimbursement, if eligible
• Access to AmeriCorps Alumni Network

Members will begin on or after August 15th, 2026 and must complete 1700 hours by August 14th, 2027.

This position is offered through a partnership with ShoreCorps, the AmeriCorps program at Salisbury University. It is contingent upon federal funding and approval of the AmeriCorps office.

To fill out an application, visit www.salisbury.edu/americorps and click on ‘Become a Member’ and then ‘Fill out an Application.’

AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. Members commit their time to address critical community needs. Similar to the Military or the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps is another form of service to our country. The mission of AmeriCorps is to make our people safer, stronger and healthier; to strengthen our communities; and to Get Things Done for America. Our program, ShoreCorps, is one of hundreds of AmeriCorps programs nationwide. To learn more about AmeriCorps https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps

Salisbury University has a strong institutional commitment to diversity and equal employment and educational opportunities for its faculty, staff and students. To that end, the University prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. The University adheres to the EEO/AA policies set forth by federal and Maryland laws. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to: Humberto Aristizabal, Associate Vice President of Institutional Equity, Title IX Coordinator, Room 100 Holloway Hall, 1101 Camden Ave. Salisbury, MD 21801; Tel. 410-543-6426.