Life Support Systems Technician I

Position Title:         Life Support Systems Technician I

Department:           Life Support Systems

Classification:         Full-Time/ Non-Exempt

Direct Report:         Director, Life Support Systems

Position Summary:

The Life Support Technician I 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 actively work with more senior LSS staff to perform the functions listed above and to provide daily updates on processes, equipment status and needed repairs to the Life Support Director, LSS Manager and Assistant Managers.                     

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. Assist the Senior LSS staff in performing preventative and corrective maintenance as needed to keep LSS equipment in excellent working condition and appearance.
3. Assist the Senior LSS staff and LSS Managers in capital improvement, long term maintenance and exhibit enhancement projects as needed.
4. Recommend and maintain the stock of required spare parts, tools, and test instruments.
5. Work with more senior LSS staff and LSS Managers to understand and interpret water chemistry reports and results and carry out corrections as recommended.
6. Maintain LSS system logs and records as needed.
7. Interface effectively with other departments to maintain the highest quality standards.
8. Follow and maintain all safety policies and procedures.
9. Maintain the highest standard of work area cleanliness at all times.
10. To perform other duties as workload necessitates.

Qualifications:

1. Preferred but not required to have a minimum of two years of experience in aquatic animal life support systems or similar industrial processing plant work experience.
2. Must have the ability or the ability to learn 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.
3. Must have basic electrical knowledge with circuits <120volts. Experience with electric valve actuators & motor starter/relay circuits is a plus.
4. Must be proficient in use of proper test equipment, hand & power tools, and shop equipment.
5. Must have experience pipe fitting utilizing PVC, Copper, and tubing.
6. 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.
7. Four-year college degree or two-year trade school degree is preferred.
8. Experience working with aquatic animals in closed aquarium systems including both fish and marine mammals is a plus.
9. Knowledge of freshwater & seawater chemistry is a plus.

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. 

Commitment:

I commit to Georgia Aquarium, Inc. the following:

 Mission: Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and aquatic animals worldwide.

 Vision: To be the Premier Aquarium in the World for Science, Entertainment, Education and Conservation.

 Values: Integrity, Innovation, Leadership, Teamwork, Respect, Excellence, Appreciation & Inclusion