Life Support Systems Supervisor
Our Life Support Systems Supervisor is part of the leadership of our Living Collections Department. While providing daily monitoring of our life support systems, our Life Support Systems Supervisor serves as a front-line supervisor, overseeing all daily maintenance, repair, and operation of filtration, lighting, and automated control systems, all while keeping accurate and up-to-date records and providing efficient communication to all Living Collection teams and other departments within the California Science Center. The LSS Supervisor will use independent judgment and critical thinking to problem solve, collaborate with team members when necessary, and provide all necessary direction to life support systems staff and volunteers. Under the direction of the Life Support Systems Manager, the Life Support Systems Supervisor helps lead the LSS team and is responsible for supervising and coaching the staff in the execution of tasks and projects.
Functions & Responsibilities
Essential Functions
- Manages (on-boards, trains, coaches, disciplines, evaluates, etc.) staff and volunteers as required to ensure best life support system maintenance and operation in all assigned areas.
- Manage work order system and ensures all preventative maintenance, routine upkeep, clean, and repair of life support equipment is performed accurately and efficiently.
- Reviews the work of subordinate staff to ensure standards are maintained and procedures are consistently followed.
- Ensures staff maintain accurate life support equipment logs and records in a precise and efficient manner.
- Contributes to the design of life support systems for temporary tanks or future additions and modifications of existing systems, as necessary.
- Understands water chemistry reports and their relationship to life support systems.
- Required to receive and be a first responder to alarms and issues that arise.
- Responds to after-hours alarms and calls regarding issues with life support systems.
- Respond and provide technical coaching for equipment malfunction or failure. This may require coming in outside of regular working hours for emergencies.
- Performs administrative duties including scheduling and time-card approval, budgeting, workers’ compensation paperwork, and training documentation.
- Inventory, source, and procure equipment, tools, parts, etc. that are necessary to support positive animal welfare, working closely with both the California Science Center Foundation and the State of California to purchase.
- Responsible for representing the Life Support Systems Team interdepartmentally, actively working to create collegial relationships for achieving mutual goals.
- Resolves staff conflicts.
- Recommends, develops, and implements policies, protocols, and procedures that ensure animal welfare, safety for staff, and efficiency.
- Manage and facilitate large projects from inception to completion.
- Coordinates the work of others, frequently consisting of a diverse interdepartmental team. Documents status and progress and maintains appropriate communication with stakeholders.
- Adhere to and abide by Federal, State, and local agency laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances, as well as AZA standards.
- Contribute to the mission of the California Science Center by stimulating curiosity and inspiring science learning by creating fun, memorable experiences for the guests.
- Other tasks as needed.
Skills & Experience
Knowledge & Skills
- Experience operating, maintaining, designing, and construction of life support systems for marine, freshwater, and terrestrial enclosure applications.
- Experience maintaining mechanical systems including; pumps, sand filters, foam fractionators, UV sterilizers, heat exchangers, ozone systems and automated equipment.
- 6+ years of experience and training in similar role.
- Have at least a Rescue Diver Certification, or the ability to get the certification within 4 months of hire, have at least 50 logged dives, the ability to pass annual dive physical requirements, and the ability to maintain active diver status with the California Science Center.
- Strong demonstrated knowledge of water chemistry and monitoring in an aquarium environment.
- Must be able to work in an industrial work environment including confined spaces, areas with low headroom and difficult access, heights, as well as with hazardous chemicals.
- Knowledge of and ability to adhere/enforce OSHA and Cal OSHA standards and proper use of personal protective equipment in an aquarium environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work with various computer programs and software related to essential functions of position (e.g., MS Office programs).
- Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds, kneel, bend, crouch, squat, and stand for extended periods of time, along with work outside in varying weather conditions.
- Attention to detail and great overall workplace cleanliness.
- Sound judgment and ability to use critical thinking for effective decision-making
- Strong written and verbal communication and organizational skills
- Demonstrated leadership ability
- Ability to work independently as well as leading a team
- Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes weekends and holidays as required, as well as be able to come in for emergencies.
Education & Experience
- Supervisory experience within an AZA or closely related animal care facility.
- Knowledge of AZA standards and requirements of animal care within them.
- Experience maintaining automated control system.
- Demonstrated ability to work with Smartsheets, Teams, and Tracks computer systems.
Job Requirements
Physical Requirements
Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds, kneel, bend, crouch, squat, and stand for extended periods of time, along with work outside in varying weather conditions.
Working Conditions
Must be able to work in an industrial work environment including confined spaces, areas with low headroom and difficult access, heights, as well as with hazardous chemicals.