LSS Water Quality Technician
With minimal supervision, the Life Support Systems (LSS) Water Quality Technician is responsible for daily operations and maintenance of all Zoo LSS, water treatment, and water filtration and equipment, as well as give guidance and training to less experienced technicians on work to be performed. This includes water quality testing, data recording, and performing repairs and proactive/preventative maintenance to the systems. As part of the maintenance team, the LSS Water Quality Technician promotes
professional working relationships with both internal and external customers and adheres to and supports all organizational policies and procedures, and standards. Promotes teamwork
Functions & Responsibilities
Essential Functions
– Works independently and responsibly in the absence of direct supervision.
– Provide support to Senior LSS Specialist as needed for daily operations, routine inspections and maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs.
– Operates all LSS equipment following daily/weekly/monthly routines.
– Keeps all LSS equipment and areas clean and well maintained at all times.
– Gathers samples and conducts water quality tests such as pH, alkalinity, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, temperature, E. coli, total coliforms, Enterococcus, temperature, DO, TDS, TSS, turbidity, and ORP.
– Maintains records of all operations and water quality.
– Troubleshoot and repair critical water and facility systems, including but not limited to life support equipment, chillers and boilers, filtration systems, valves, drains, heat exchangers, pumps, motors, fractionators, ozone systems, UV sterilizers, HVAC system.
– Analyze data provided by the controls system, meters, water quality lab, or other Animal Care staff, to troubleshoot water quality, flow, or other system problems or out-of-range parameters.
– Requests the purchase of supplies, equipment and contract services necessary to maintain a clean, safe working environment.
– Ability to read, analyze and interpret documents such as OSHA rules and regulations, building and fire codes, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals
– Responsible for the care of tools, machinery, and vehicles under their care.
– The ability to use a variety of tools both hand and power and to operate motor vehicles safely.
– Operates as on-site project lead for contracted maintenance repairs including planning, preparation and coordination of specific projects as assigned by supervisor.
– Takes lead on LSS and LSS area related work orders and maintenance projects.
– Leads by example to mentor Maintenance Assistants and Maintenance
– Technicians showing a positive attitude and work ethic.
– Performs specialized installation, fabrication and/or repair and maintenance of facilities and equipment.
– Takes lead in troubleshooting maintenance related repairs.
– Must be trained to participate on snow team.
– Occasionally may be required to cover for other maintenance duties such as on-call maintenance.
– Trained in basic operations, routine inspections, basic troubleshooting, and emergency procedures for Skyride, Carousel, and elevators and will be required to participate in evening event coverage plans along with the rest of the maintenance team.
– Respond to afterhours emergencies as required.
– Other duties as requested/assigned.
Other Duties & Responsibilities
– Maintains a clean, hazard free work area and shop.
– Maintain a high level of customer service and satisfaction
– Utilize electronic work order system to manage work orders, log time, etc.
– Maintains courteous, helpful and professional behavior on the job. Displays a willingness and ability to be responsive in a warm and caring manner to all customer groups. Consistently cooperates and supports organization in problem-solving issues.
– Maintains maintenance records and files
– Provide a safe environment for the guests, animals, themselves & their co-workers
– Follow OSHA and Zoo safety guidelines
– Maintaining a positive, productive relationship with all other Zoo staff
– Contribute to a positive work environment
– Able to move and think quickly to avoid dangerous situations
– Seasonally participate in snow removal as part of the snow removal team.
– Must be able to work under exigent circumstances to finish task in emergencies and in the process maintain self-control common sense and good judgment.
– Expected to maintain integrity and honesty in the performance of duties.
– Ability to complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.
– Expected to be at work and ready to begin their assigned shift at the time the shift is scheduled to start.
– Must be able to work non-traditional work week including at least 1 weekend days as well as occasionally available for holidays, afterhours events, after hours’ emergencies, and projects outside of zoo business hours.
– Stay organized and (re)prioritize daily tasks to adapt to changing conditions while accurately communicating timeline expectations.
– Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
– Identify problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
– Understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
– The ability to select and use training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Skills & Experience
Knowledge & Skills
– Knowledge with diagnosing and repairing LSS equipment including ozone generators, pumps, heat exchangers, air compressors, and all types of filtration systems.
– Knowledge with pipe fitting utilizing PVC, CPVC, stainless steel, polyethylene and Teflon tubing.
– Excellent oral and written communication skills
Education & Experience
– High school diploma or general education degree (GED); supplemented by two years’ experience in public zoo and aquarium life support systems or municipal water treatment
Job Requirements
Physical Requirements
The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations
may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
– Physical Requirements – While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; lift heavy objects; sit; use hands to manipulate, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; talk, see, hear and smell. The employee is required to reach and stretch with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may be
required to endure extremes in temperature and may work in hazardous environments where personal protective equipment is required. Requires full range of body motion, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination; requires the ability to use department equipment, to communicate effectively; requires standing, walking, sitting (possibly for long periods of time) and
performing repetitive tasks (including working on the computer) for up to the entire work day; requires the ability to lift/carry up to 70 pounds using appropriate body mechanics.
– Visual, Hearing and Communication Requirements – Requires corrected vision and hearing to within normal range, with or without reasonable accommodation. Must be able to communicate effectively in verbal and written form with all levels of personnel within and outside of the organization.
– Environmental Conditions – Working in a closed office environment and an outdoor environment. Work space may be shared. Working conditions may be noisy with fluctuating indoor and/or outdoor temperatures. May be exposed to a risk of bodily injury through contact with moving instrumentation, substances and other conditions common to an office or Zoo environment. Subject to exposure to animals or Guests which may have the potential for physical aggression. May be exposed to a risk of bodily injury through contact with moving instrumentation, toxic substances, bodily fluids, animal attack, communicable diseases, outdoor weather conditions and other conditions common in a Zoo environment. Subject to unpleasant odors. May be exposed to wet/humid/sunny conditions.
– Pressure Factor – Requires working under stressful conditions. Moderate pressure to meet scheduled and recurring deadlines.
Salary & Benefits
This Position is a fully benefited position including group medical, dental, vision life, and disability insurance; paid holiday, vacation & sick time; retirement plan, a zoo membership; and eligibility for the bonus program.
