Senior Life Support Systems Technician

Position Summary

The Senior Life Support Technician shall be responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of all aquatic animal Life Support Systems (LSS) that support Georgia Aquarium’s aquatic animal exhibits.  This position will be responsible for monitoring all phases of aquarium exhibit water treatment processing as well as equipment condition and making necessary changes or repairs as needed.

This position will frequently interface with other Zoological Operations staff including water quality lab technicians, veterinarians and animal biologists regarding water chemistry parameters, LSS process equipment adjustments and needed repairs. This position will act as LSS supervisor in the absence of the Life Support Systems Director, Manager and/or Assistant Manager.    

Responsibilities

1. Monitor LSS equipment and processes for normal operation, make changes as needed. Use the LSS computerized controls system to monitor, record and modify system operation.
2. Lead other LSS staff & volunteers in performing preventative and corrective maintenance as needed to keep LSS equipment in excellent working condition and appearance.
3. Lead capital improvement, long term maintenance and exhibit enhancement projects as assigned by the LSS Director.
4. Act as shift supervisor in the absence of the LSS Director, Manager and Assistant Manager making necessary decisions in the best interest of the animals, operation and aquarium.
5. Recommend, order and maintain the stock of required spare parts, tools, and test instruments.
6. Understand and interpret water chemistry reports and results, recommend and carry out corrections as recommended others.
7. Maintain LSS system logs and records as needed.
8. Interface effectively with other departments to maintain the highest quality standards.
9. Follow and maintain all safety policies and procedures.
10. Maintain the highest standard of work area cleanliness at all times.
11. To perform other duties as workload necessitates.

Qualifications

1. Must have a minimum of two years experience or four-five years of equivalent experience (pet, hobbie, etc.).
2. Must have five years experience working with aquatic animals in closed aquarium systems including both fish and marine mammals.
3. Must have a working knowledge of freshwater & seawater chemistry and how it pertains to aquatic animals.
4. Must have the ability to repair LSS or similar industrial mechanical plant equipment including ozone generators, centrifugal pumps, heat exchangers, air compressors, automated control systems, and all types of filtration systems including sand filters and protein skimmers.
5. Must have basic electrical knowledge with circuits <120volts. Experience with electric valve actuators & motor starter/relay circuits is a plus.
6. Must be proficient in use of proper test equipment, hand & power tools, and shop equipment.
7. Must have experience pipe fitting utilizing PVC, Copper and tubing.
8. Must have above average computer skills. Experience operating multi-computer networks with dynamic graphic based user interfaces or human machine interfaces (HMI’s) including touch screens is desired. Proficiency with Microsoft Office products is a must.
9. Two-year college degree or higher preferred or Equivalent work experience.

Physical Demands & Work Environment      

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, work in tight spaces and work at heights using proper safety precautions.  Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.