Life Support Water Systems
Imagine stepping into a role where your passion for animals meets your expertise in water resource management. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has an exciting opportunity as we expand with Rezoovenation. We are searching for a dedicated leader to spearhead our Life Support Systems department, ensuring top-tier care for our diverse animal collection while championing innovation and excellence.
At the core of the responsibilities lies a commitment to maximizing water quality for the well-being of animals and non-animal areas to optimize resource efficiency. You thrive in a fast-paced environment to flex between strategic planning, budget management, and fostering inter-departmental collaboration. As the team leader, you’ll supervise all aspects of water quality, renovations, and major repairs, ensuring adherence to industry best practices.
This position champions collaboration and inclusivity, building strong partnerships with stakeholders to establish a unified approach to water quality management. From developing team members and setting clear expectations to embracing organizational change and fostering a culture of continuous learning, your leadership will be paramount. You’ll ensure accountability, monitor progress, and celebrate achievements.
In addition to people management, you’ll dive into strategic and fiscal responsibilities, from project planning to budget preparation. Your ability to cultivate positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders will be instrumental in achieving shared goals and maintaining compliance with regulations and safety standards.
Picture yourself at the controls, managing water systems, drainage, and backwash processes all while prioritizing animal welfare and safety above all else. This is an integral role in assessing operations to ensure efficiency and adherence to organizational and government regulations. With six (6) years of technical expertise, including three (3) years supervising operations and maintenance staff, you’ll oversee equipment operation, monitor water chemistry reports, and ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards. Your ability to cultivate positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders will be instrumental in achieving shared goals and maintaining compliance with regulations and safety standards.
Join us in embracing a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and excellence, where everyone contributes to our mission of “Connecting our community with wildlife and wild places.”
Functions & Responsibilities
Skills & Experience
Knowledge & Skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Gantt Charts, PaperSave and willingness to learn other applicable computer software programs for job duties.
• Proficiency in regulations concerning marine animal housing, Life Support Systems (LSS), and Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for accreditation standards.
• Proficient in understanding automated controls and monitoring equipment, water chemistry principles, and related maintenance and repair tasks.
• Proficient in both verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey information.
• Possesses excellent organizational and documentation skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Extensive knowledge of company safety policies and applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
• Extensive knowledge of water quality systems, water chemistry analysis techniques, pool equipment as well as regulatory and membership agencies and regulations (USDA, USFWS, AZA, AALSO).
• Mechanical knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance to safely operate tools, vehicles, and equipment. Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to complete work.
• Knowledge of systems to assist in troubleshooting, giving technical advice, and direction towards solving issues.
• Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and appropriate safety precautions.
• Knowledge of zoonotic diseases and prevention.
• Knowledge of ozone systems with both fresh and saltwater applications.
• Knowledge of chlorine dosing/monitoring systems.
• Knowledge of laboratory and field water quality equipment and procedures
• Understanding of Nitrogen cycle and how it affects various animals and water parameters.
• Demonstrates a strong work ethic characterized by dependability, timeliness, responsiveness, productivity, and organizational skills.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex water treatment and filtration systems in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to work independently, exercising independent judgment and discretion.
• Ability to build rapport and create a team environment.
• Ability to see the big picture, think strategically, and drive projects to completion.
• Strong business acumen, financial skills, and analytical abilities.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with multiple departments while maintaining tact and diplomacy.
• Ability and willingness to problem solve, prioritize, negotiate and juggle changing deadlines.
• Ability to determine potential risks while devising proactive ways to solve them.
• Ability to welcome feedback and use it to improve the quality of production.
• Ability to adjust the controls of a machine quickly and repeatedly to exact positions.
• Ability to effectively communicate with verbal and written skills including professional and respectful interpersonal skills.
• An inclusive mindset with strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
Education & Experience
Do you have…
• Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university in Biology, Chemistry, Life Sciences; or sufficient related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of 6 years’ education and experience.
• Three (3) years of experience supervising operations and maintenance staff.
• Three (3) years’ experience in water filtration and/or experience in a facility or laboratory water quality setting.
• Three (3) years’ experience in advanced water chemistry analysis techniques and mechanical filtration systems.
• Knowledge of water quality systems, water chemistry analysis techniques, pool equipment as well as regulatory and membership agencies and regulations (USDA, USFWS, AZA, AALSO).
• Knowledge of ozone systems with both fresh and saltwater applications.
• Knowledge of chlorine dosing/monitoring systems.
• Understanding of the Nitrogen cycle and its impact on different animals and water parameters.
Job Requirements
Physical Requirements
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to work outdoors and indoors under all environmental conditions and temperatures.
Manual dexterity for standing, reaching, flexibility, and body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling, stoop, bend, lift, kneel, crawl, climb, jump, dig and prolonged standing.
Ability to work outdoors and indoors under all environmental conditions and temperatures.
Ability to transport and move items frequently up to 50 pounds for short distances without difficulty.
Ability to ascend/ descend ladders, steps, and uneven terrain, while maintaining body equilibrium while performing various jobs.
Ability to access and navigate each department at the organization on foot, including any construction sites.
Ability to consistently speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and communications.
Ability to consistently remain on your feet for prolonged periods of time.
Ability to consistently perform standing, reaching, flexibility, and body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling, stoop, bend, lift, kneel, crawl, climb, jump, dig and prolonged standing.
Manual dexterity to grasp, turn, and manipulate objects of varying size and weight, requiring fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Auditory ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone systems, two-way radio, and face-to-face interactions.
Visual and auditory acuity appropriate for safety and discern differences in documents.
Exceptional visual acuity is required, along with the ability to communicate, comprehend and decipher/hear information accurately, using a two-way radio.
Inclusion, diversity, and equality as a value
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens embraces diversity in a meaningful way and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of a person’s actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, sex, age, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, weight, or height.
