Life Support and Water Quality Technician
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium //
Tacoma, Washington //
Apply by: August 21, 2025
Under the direction of Facilities Management, perform semi-skilled operation, maintenance and repair to water treatment and filtration systems at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium; perform water quality testing and ensure a safe environment for animals and efficient operation of aquarium equipment.
In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:
Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.
Functions & Responsibilities
Essential Functions
- Perform semi-skilled operation, service, maintenance and repair to water treatment and filtration systems at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium; perform a variety of routine duties and tests of water systems.
- Backwash filtration equipment; adjust water flow to marine pools; clean filter screens; open and close valves to assure proper water flow and circulation; inspect discharge water to assure clarity; place filters on-line according to established procedures.
- Drum filter maintenance and repair.
- Support the operation and maintenance of automated life support system.
- Inspect and service pumps; collect water samples from marine pools; assure proper flow of chemicals according to established guidelines and ratios.
- Conduct periodic adjustments on filters to assure proper water flow and level.
- Service and maintain air compressors, ozone generators, UV sterilizers, fractionators, heat exchangers, filtration tanks, and other equipment as necessary to ensure efficient operation of filtration system.
- Operate and maintain a variety of specialized equipment and hand and power tools, such as sprayers, saws, hand pumps, electrical pumps, jacks, torches, plumbing snakes and others as needed.
- Prepare and maintain various records and reports related to daily activities, including water quality records, backwash logs of water pressure and pool cleaning records; submit to management as required.
- Track and maintain shelf stock for redundant and backup system equipment.
- Perform dpd, pH, orp, salinity, temperature, DO, saturation, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphorus, hardness and coliform tests. Service and maintain water quality sensors.
Other Duties & Responsibilities
- Assist zoo staff with a variety of activities, assist outside contractors with special projects as assigned.
- Perform related duties as assigned by operations management
Skills & Experience
Knowledge & Skills
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- Rules and regulations related to assigned work.
- Operation, repair and maintenance of controls, circuits, plumbing, pumps and related equipment utilized in filtration systems.
- Water treatment, filtration, ozone and fractionation systems.
- Operation, use and care of specialized equipment, including hand pumps, electrical pumps, jacks, forklifts, highlifts and pressure washers.
ABILITY TO:
- Operate systems and perform semi-skilled, service, maintenance and repair to water treatment and filtration systems.
- Perform a variety of tests of water systems.
- Backwash water filtration equipment.
- Assure proper water flow and circulation of chemicals and chlorine.
- Clean and maintain marine pools efficiently and accurately.
- Inspect and service chemical flow pumps and collect water samples from marine pools.
- Operate and maintain a variety of specialized equipment.
- Work from blueprints, shop drawings and sketches.
- Interpret rules and regulations.
- Perform emergency first aid and CPR as needed and according to established guidelines.
- Communicate clearly verbally and in writing.
- Assess and evaluate situations effectively.
- Exert optimal effort in successfully completing tasks.
- Take initiative with minimal supervision.
- Extract and record data and carry out calculations accurately.
- Set up and operate equipment that can require selection from options or different settings.
- Manage time efficiently and effectively through scheduling and prioritizing.
Education & Experience
- Any combination equivalent to graduation from high school supplemented by course work in water treatment, plumbing, ozone generation, or closely related field and three years responsible experience working within the water treatment, pools, aquarium or plumbing trades.
- AALSO certifications preferred but not required.
Job Requirements
Physical Requirements
- Dexterity of hands and fingers.
- Climbing ladders and working from heights.
- Standing for extended periods of time.
- Bending at the waist while cleaning pools.
- Kneeling or crouching to repair filtration systems.
- Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally.
- Seeing to monitor water flow and condition.
- Lifting heavy objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
Working Conditions
- Exposure to chemicals, fumes and vapors.
- Working in a cramped or restrictive work chamber.
- Wearing respirator and rubber protective gear while cleaning pools.
Salary & Benefits
Salary: $32.28 - $40.09 Hourly
