Engineering Lead, Life Support

Position Summary

Responsible for the maintenance, repair and installation of life support systems at the main aquarium campus. Supports the Site Manager for Center for Conservation with life support needs for the sea turtle rehabilitation and coral conservation programs at the Aquarium’s facilities at the Florida Conservation and Technology Center in Apollo Beach, FL.  Provides support to Animal Care and Water Quality for life support systems at the Aquarium’s offsite ancillary exhibits. Works to advance the culture of life support systems management to meet or exceed contemporary industry standards.

Works closely with Animal Care and Water Quality to ensure life support systems maintain optimal husbandry requirements and works in an integrated manner for the development and installation of new life support systems and upgrades to existing systems.

Performs life support equipment preventative and predictive maintenance tasks, analyzes life support trend data, and recommends repair or replacement of major components when appropriate. Ensures life support systems work effectively with building automation.  Works closely in a team setting with other leads in the Engineering department to accomplish department wide tasks and projects.  Supervises life support operators and contract work on large life support systems.

Essential Position Functions

• Establishes and maintains a positive and integrated work environment with life support operators and all other areas of the Engineering department as well as all other areas of Aquarium operations.
• Communicates professionally to advance the integration of life support systems operations with Animal Care and Water Quality as well as when troubleshooting operational issues.
• Responsible for large life support system operation and maintenance for The Florida Aquarium’s main campus.
• Works with Water Quality to ensure adequate daily supplies of water types for habitat maintenance and the coordination of receiving seawater deliveries via barge, several times per year, including deliveries that may occur during the overnight hours.
• Supports the proper operation and maintenance of life support at the Aquarium’s offsite facilities and exhibits.
• Plays a key role, working with other departments, in the design and installation of new life support systems
• Troubleshoots and repairs life support systems to ensure optimal operation.
• Monitors a workable, preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance program for all large life support systems
• Works with Animal Care and Water Quality to support the operation and maintenance of small life support systems.
• Develops, implements and maintains Standard Operating Procedures for the operation of large life support systems.
• Strives to ensure state of the art quality life support system installations
• Coordinates 24/7 system operations for maintaining the best possible animal health and welfare as established by Animal Care & Health.
• Provides proper training for life support operators as well as cross training of appropriate staff in all routine and emergency life support situations
• Responsible for on call scheduling of personnel responding to emergencies
• Ensures all department personnel remains active in their daily responsibilities
• Maintains equipment and supplies for daily operations
• Anticipates problems or issues and be prepared to respond accordingly
• Keep a positive attitude when working in adverse conditions
• Recommends cost savings with life support maintenance solutions
• Participates in the 24/7 on call rotation for the Engineering Department as scheduled.
• Other duties as assigned.

Secondary Functions

• Assist in managing capital projects as assigned
• Delivers extraordinary customer service to all aquarium guests and internal customers
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with outside vendors and contractors.

Education Requirements and Technical Skills

• High school diploma or GED
• Life support operator two AALSO certification required
• Eight years’ experience installing and maintaining life support systems
• Five years in a supervisory role
• Ability to read and understand construction plans and documents
• Ability to read and understand vendor proposals, agreements and process invoices correctly.

Core Competencies

• Customer Service Orientation — Listening and understanding the customer (both internal and external) and anticipating and evaluating the customer’s needs; making the customer’s satisfaction a high priority in all areas of responsibility.
• Teamwork — supporting, facilitating, and participating in activities that promote team effectiveness; demonstrating sensitivity for the feelings and needs of team members and supporting team goals.
• Professional/Technical Knowledge— Remains current on developments in the field within and outside the organization; maintains proficiencies
• Quality — upholding standards beyond what is required; inspiring staff to maintain and initiate high standards of excellence in their work efforts.
• Concern for Detail — Pays attention to every portion of any task, down to the smallest item
• Planning and Organizing — Establishing a course of action with specific long-range goals for the aquarium; setting priorities among competing requirements and allocating resources in the most efficient and effective way; developing contingency plans that anticipate changes in the work environment.
• Follow-up — Institutes methods for monitoring people and projects

Typical Physical Requirements

• Standing (4-8 hours per day)
• Walking (4-8 hours per day)
• Bending/Stooping — Occasionally
• Squatting — Occasionally
• Climbing stairs — Frequently
• Climbing heights (8’) — Occasionally
• Reaching above shoulders — Occasionally
• Crouching — Occasionally
• Kneeling — Occasionally
• Carrying (up to 80 lbs.) — Occasionally
• Lifting (up to 80 lbs.) — Occasionally
• Working near moving machinery — Occasionally
• Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity
• Exposure to dust, fumes and gases
• Typing on a computer keyboard
• Operating machinery
• Ability to travel (car) as needed — locally and/or nationally
• Five-day a week schedule availability (Sunday through Thursday or Tuesday through Saturday)
• Schedule availability between 7am to 4pm or 8am to 5pm
• Flexibility in working evenings
• Flexibility in working holidays
• Available for on-call emergencies