Life Support Systems Technician

Position Title: Life Support Systems Technician

Department: Husbandry

Reports To: Curator of Life Support and Water Quality

Location: Audubon Aquarium of the Americas

General Summary:

Life Support System (LSS) Technician is an entry or intermediate level position with a

heavy focus on the mechanical and chemical components of aquatic animal care in all areas of the aquarium. Reporting to the Curator of Life Support and Water Quality, the LSS Technician will be responsible for the daily operation, maintenance, and repair of the aquarium LSS and water quality (WQ). LSS Technician must be able to communicate effectively with members of the other Husbandry Department divisions, the veterinary staff, all other Audubon Nature Institute (ANI) departments, and the general public.

Essential Duties:

• Perform routine (daily, weekly, monthly) LSS and WQ analytical work with minimal supervision.

• Perform any LSS related repairs and preventative maintenance.

• Function as a resource for Husbandry staff in daily operations and requirements of life support and WQ.

• Develop working knowledge of LSS and exhibit maintenance tasks and routines to identify and troubleshoot problems.

• Develop working knowledge of water chemistry, water quality parameters, and water quality analyses to identify and troubleshoot problems.

• Develop working knowledge of the ecosystems represented by the exhibit themes including basic knowledge of ideal environmental parameters.

• Develop working knowledge of plumbing and construction as it pertains to the function of the exhibit life support systems.

• Perform mathematical calculations varying from basic life support and water quality needs to advanced life support equipment and small-scale construction projects.

• Identify and correct minor or routine life support system and exhibit maintenance issues and report larger problems.

• Keep accurate and up to date records to ensure quality animal management and welfare at or above industry standards.

• Serve as liaison between Husbandry staff and building engineers.

• Follow direction from and maintain compliance with all AZA standards of Accreditation and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas established protocols for animal care.

• Maintain clean service areas including scrubbing, mopping, organization, and pest control as needed.

• Participate with the improvement and development of current and new exhibits.

• Attend and participate in regular sub department meetings to develop goals, evaluate progress, and facilitate open communication among staff.

• Work collaboratively with other departments to complete projects based on approved timelines.

• Understand established animal enrichment programs to evaluate any potential impact on life support systems or water quality.

• Assist veterinarian and animal staff with recognizing animal health concerns and prescribed treatments.

• Participate in educational opportunities regarding life support and water quality.

• Assist in training and daily oversight of interns and volunteers.

• Participate in established conservation programs.

• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Supervision: N/A

In addition to the above, the LSS Technician will adhere to Audubon Nature Institute’s mission and service commitment.

To deliver on the Audubon mission, the LSS Technician will:

Provide a guest experience of outstanding quality

• Approach all encounters with employees and guests in a friendly, service-oriented manner.

• Maintain the highest standards related to the day-to-day operations of the Husbandry Department.

• Work evening, weekend, holiday hours - required.

• Return telephone messages and e-mails in a timely fashion.

• Handle problems in the workplace, including anticipating, preventing, identifying, and solving problems as necessary.

• Identify and correct minor or routine maintenance problems in a timely manner and report other maintenance needs.

• Interact positively with the public and co-workers.

• Make decisions consistent with Audubon Nature Institute policies and procedures.

• Assist with daily duties in all sections as required.

• Be required to perform facility and exhibit maintenance, including but not limited to, trash and debris removal, floor cleaning, painting, building repair, horticultural duties, etc.

• Establish and maintain effective, efficient and cooperative relationships with employees, senior administration, vendors and customers.

• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, including proper uniform standards.

• Comply at all times with Audubon Nature Institute standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient operations.

Weave quality entertainment through the guest experience

• Work within the guidelines and mission of the Audubon Nature Institute.

• Convey information and ideas clearly.

• Conduct behind-the-scenes tours for VIP’s, donors, and Audubon Education programs as scheduled.

• Interact with the public to include on and off grounds educational and media presentations.

• Develop and present educational programs as required.

• Function as an interpreter and represent ANI as a spokesperson.

• Compose animal and exhibit information for publication in the following: Audubon’s website, AZA’s website and other publications.

Operate a financially self-sufficient collection of museums and parks

• Perform basic arithmetic functions and process financial information.

• Assist with the preparation of the departmental operating budget as needed.

• Strive to operate within budget limitations.

• Manage time effectively to eliminate unnecessary overtime.

Enhance the care and survival of wildlife through research and conservation

• Encourage and support Audubon programs.

• Promote, participate in and oversee departmental research and conservation programs

To deliver on the Audubon service promise, the Life Support Systems Technician will:

Welcome

• Make eye contact with every customer encounter, smile at every person, offer friendly phrases and greetings.

• Wear identification badge.

• Go above and beyond to offer assistance to guests in need.

• Assume ownership of potential safety hazards (wipe-up spill, pick up trash).

• Assume ownership of camera-ready standards in assigned exhibit spaces.

• Use proper professional phone etiquette when answering phones on behalf of Audubon.

• Refrain from cell phone use in the public space, maintaining a welcome, approachable appearance.

Share

• Must meet the standards of guest engagement, positive attitude, pleasant tone of voice, willingness to go above and beyond.

• Coach coworkers, interns and volunteers on service expectations, leading by example

• Utilize the power of teamwork to give excellent service. Work with your department and others in pursuit of excellence in customer service.

• Share information vital to the team and ANI success freely and in a timely manner. Identify and correct poor communication situations and habits.

• Know when to involve management to correct problems in a timely fashion, ideally before they impact a guest.

Inspire

• Acknowledge guests when working in the public space and seize every opportunity to actively engage guests in the wonders of nature.

• Know the answers to questions or seek out the answers in an attempt to exceed guest expectations.

• Ensure work area is free of food, drink, socialization, and personal business.

• Follow Dress Code Policy on clothing and grooming. Be an ambassador of Audubon at all times.

• Keep unpleasant concerns behind closed doors. Keep the guest space a positive environment.

Qualifications

Experience:

• Minimum two (2) years of paid or unpaid experience in a zoological facility or public aquarium, aquaculture or mariculture facility, aquatics research/environmental laboratory, water treatment facility, or similar industry is required. AZA accredited public aquarium facility is preferred.

• Care of zoological exhibits with a primary focus on fishes, aquatic invertebrates, and marine mammals but also familiarity with care of reptiles, amphibians, and birds.

• Basic plumbing, construction, and animal enclosure work.

• Installing, repairing, or replacing mechanical equipment such as pumps, filters, piping systems, motors, compressors, etc.

• WQ analysis and data interpretation.

• Effective communication skills (oral and written).

Education:

• High school diploma (or equivalent) and a degree in engineering, chemistry, or biological sciences from an accredited university is required.

• Specialized work experience, skills, and abilities related to essential duties listed above may be substituted for educational requirement.

Licensure/Certification:

• Must maintain a valid driver’s license.

• SCUBA certification is preferred.

• First Aid/ CPR is preferred.

• Aquatic Animal Life Support Operator (AALSO) Life Support and/or Laboratory certification is a plus.

• National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) Certified Pool Operator (CPO) is a plus.

• Forklift driving certification considered an asset.

Software Requirements:

• Proven competency in the application of Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, and Excel computer programs is required.

• Experience with Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) is preferred.

Machinery/Tools/Equipment Requirements:

• Basic laboratory instrumentation skills (pipetting, pH meter, DO meter, spectrophotometer, etc.) are required.

• Basic plumbing, mechanical, and carpentry skills are considered an asset.

• Have a general understanding of the use and safety requirements of basic power tools.

• Must have the ability to use mobile devices to facilitate effective communication

• Ability and willingness to operate power tools, lawn equipment, etc.

Physical Requirements:

• Performing strenuous, fast-paced work both indoors and outdoors.

• Sitting or standing, bending, and stooping per OSHA regulations.

• Heavy work involving lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Must be able to swim.

If SCUBA certified, then the LSS Technician will need to demonstrate the ability to:

• swim efficiently at the surface,

• swim efficiently underwater,

• tow another diver while in full SCUBA gear,

• tread water/float on the surface,

• assemble, ditch and don SCUBA gear,

• control of buoyancy using SCUBA,

• clear SCUBA mask and swim without a mask underwater,

• regulator skills – recover and clear, and breathe through free-flowing regulator, and

• demonstrate comfort underwater in all conditions, stressful or otherwise.

Environmental/Working Conditions:

• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Audubon standards, as required by scheduling which may vary according to the needs of the organization.

• Willingness to work weekends, holidays, irregular hours and be available based on special needs/circumstances on a 24-hour basis.

• Willingness to work long hours between breaks or meals as required.

• Willingness to work outdoors, lift heavy objects, and risk periodic exposure to fairly predictable and controllable hazards associated with wild animals and zoonotic diseases.

• Maintain off-exhibit areas in a clean, organized and safe fashion.

• Willingness to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner.

• May be exposed to high, medium, or low noise intensity.

• May be exposed to extreme fluctuations in temperatures.

• May be exposed to ozone.

• Willingness to work around and handle raw seafood, including shellfish.

• Oversee pest control efforts in section.

• Willingness to serve on the Aquarium’s Hurricane Team if necessary.