Life Support Systems Manager
ZooTampa at Lowry Park //
Tampa, FL //
Posted on: December 4, 2021 //
Apply by: January 31, 2022
Application Information: To apply, interested candidates should click on the link to apply on ZooTampa at Lowry Park's website.
The Life Support Systems Manager is responsible for the maintenance, repair and installation of all Life Support Systems (LSS) in the Zoo. Develops and implements all new life support automation and design systems. Performs all life support equipment preventative and predictive maintenance tasks, analyzes life support trend data, and recommends repair or replacement of major components when appropriate. Supervises life support technicians and contract work on all life support systems. Reports directly to the Vice President of Animal Care (VPAC).
Works as part of the management team to ensure overall organizational goals executed according to plan and achieve assigned metrics of success. The management team collectively serves to fulfill the following priorities:
- Brand promise throughout all guest experiences and communications
- Consistent adherence to quality and safety standards
- Excellent consumer value and consumer enjoyment
- Make certain guest experience is relevant to guest needs, perceptions and expectations
- Plan-Do-Check-Act management philosophy through all activities
- Financial awareness and project management that is analytically driven.
- Vibrant institutional culture
- AZA accreditation, exceeding industry standards
- Institutional accountability and compliance
- Internal and external communications
Functions & Responsibilities
Essential Functions
Your day to day
Functional Priorities:
- Conducts all activities in alignment with AZA standards and guidelines, all relevant laws and regulations, safety standards, and standards that ensure animal welfare.
- Responsible for life support system design, operation and maintenance for ZooTampa
- Troubleshoots and repairs systems to ensure aquatic life is sustainable
- Monitors a workable, preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance program for all systems
- Reviews automation system designs, operations and procedures to ensure currency in all areas
- Ensures state of the art quality facilities installations
- Coordinates 24/7 system operations for specimen health and welfare
- Provides proper training for LSS technicians as well as cross training to related Animal Department management in all routine and emergency life support situations
- Responsible for on call scheduling of personnel responding to emergencies
- Ensures all department personnel remains active in their daily responsibilities
- Maintains equipment and supplies for daily operations
- Anticipates problems or issues and is prepared to respond accordingly
- Keep a positive attitude when working in adverse conditions
- Recommends cost savings with life support maintenance solutions
- Works in close collaboration with Animal Care and Health teams
- Manages ZooTampa’s waste water permit and well water consumption
- Other duties as assigned by VPAC and Animal Department Management
- Assist in managing capital projects as assigned
- Delivers extraordinary customer service to all Zoo guests and internal customer
Direct Reports:
- Life Support Systems Technicians
Other Duties & Responsibilities
Other Requirements
- Must be able to withstand typical Florida climate, sometimes temperatures exceeding 90 degrees
- Ability to traverse zoo grounds on foot or in zoo vehicle
- Must be willing to work varied hours
- Standing, walking for long periods of time
- Bending, squatting, kneeling, climbing heights, climbing stairs and reaching above shoulders on occasion
- Lifting and carrying (up to 80 lbs.)
- Working near moving machinery
- Operating machinery
- Ability to travel as needed — locally and/or nationally
- Flexibility in working schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays
- Available for on-call emergencies
Skills & Experience
Knowledge & Skills
What are we looking for?
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related field is preferred
- AALSO certification required
- Five years experience installing and maintaining life support systems
- Dive certification preferred
- Supervisory experience preferred
Skills and Experience:
- Knowledge of the basic principles, concepts and reference sources used in the application of chemical analysis
- Ability to perform and record moderately complex standardized tests for water quality
- Ability to provide supervision and instruction to direct reports
- Ability to understand and follow moderately complex objectives and instructions
- Ability to perform maintenance and troubleshoot problems on aquatic systems and associated pumps, filters, generators and other equipment related to the area of responsibility
- Ability to resolve problems and/or issues without compromising quality standards
Broad based knowledge of:
- Wildlife laws as they relate to the State of Florida, USFWS and USDA
- Systems supporting sensitive aquatic life including rays, sharks and jellies
- Marine mammal systems
- The design, construction, operation and maintenance of large and complex life support systems
- The design of staff training and effective supervisory techniques and programs
- Planning, scheduling, and staff counseling techniques
- The design, evaluation, and implementation of employee performance evaluations
- Recognizing, diagnosing and resolving LSS problems as they arise
- Familiarity with ozone systems
- Ability to diagnose training and development needs of subordinates and develop training programs
- Ability to analyze work methods and procedures and implement changes and modifications for improvements
- Ability to maintain records, prepare oral and written reports and impart them effectively
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinate personnel, other employees and the general public
- Demonstrates initiative and independent judgment and provides supervision, leadership, staff coordination and consultation for functions of subordinate work units
- Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints
- Ability to follow specific instructions and also be comfortable self-directing
- Capacity to anticipate: ability to think ahead and plan over multi-year time span
- Capacity to change: ability to identify and correct operational problems quickly
- Management: the ability to organize and manage multiple priorities
- Must be able to think logically and solve problems with minimal guidance
- Must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written)
- Must be flexible and have the ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment while maintaining a positive attitude with the public
- Ability to communicate ideas and contribute effectively to the department
Computer Proficiency:
- Proficient with Word, Excel and Power Point, and be able to adapt well to various other computer programs
