Life Support Operator
Provide oversight over all seawater and life support operations at the Texas State Aquarium.
Functions & Responsibilities
Essential Functions
Perform life support maintenance on all aquatic systems.
Perform raw seawater disinfection and transport to large aquatic systems.
Successfully plumb all aquatic systems.
Maintain records of water quality, life support operation, and life support maintenance.
Enter water quality and life support data into electronic reports.
Assist with the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures for life support operations.
Assist in the development of proposed life support system design.
Assist in the development of the water quality and life support operations budget.
Adhere to all governmental/AZA policies regarding acquisition, husbandry, records, and animal health.
Perform related duties as assigned
Comply with all safety policies, practices, and procedures. Report all unsafe work practices to supervisor and / or Human Resources.
Participate in proactive team efforts to achieve departmental and company goals.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge and skills.
Provide exceptional guest service.
Abide by all policies and procedures outlined in the employee handbook.
Abide by and enforce all policies and procedures outlined in the Animal Husbandry Standard Operating Procedures.
Other Duties & Responsibilities
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations.
Ability to write information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Intermediate personal computer skills, including email, routine database activity, word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, etc.
Ability prioritize, organize, and delegate assignments.
Knowledge pertaining to the operations of aquatic life support operations.
Knowledge pertaining to aquatic system plumbing.
Knowledge of aquaria water chemistry and corrective measures.
Working knowledge pertaining to water quality record keeping standards.
Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions necessary in departmental areas.
Knowledge of USDA/APHIS and AZA regulations and standards.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to give and to follow complex instructions both verbally and in writing.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays as required, including the ability to work a rotating shift as assigned.
Skills & Experience
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in marine biology or related field from four-year college or university; a minimum of 3 years paid experience working with life support systems; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Job Requirements
Physical Requirements
Heavy physical activity performing strenuous daily activities of a primarily product / technical nature.
Manual dexterity sufficient to reach / handle items, works with fingers, and perceived attributes of objects and materials.
Working Conditions
Work Schedule – regular work hours and days assigned with evening and weekend work required.
Minimal travel generally within a 30 mile radius.
Occasional overnight travel by land or air – up to 10%
Vision Requirements: Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), Distance Vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), Peripheral vision (Ability to observe an area that may be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), Depth perception (three dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), Ability to adjust focus (Ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus)
Job is generally performed in well lighted, heated and or air-conditioned indoor office / production setting with adequate ventilation but is also performed outdoors exposed to changing weather conditions (rain, sun, snow, wind, etc.)
Job is generally performed in loud conditions (large crowds, equipment)
Subject to bites and scratches by animals and exposure to zoonotic disease.
