Water Quality/Life Support Systems Tech I, ACF
The WQ/LSS Hybrid Technician I shall be responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of all aquatic animal Life Support Systems (LSS) and the Water Quality laboratory that support Georgia Aquarium’s aquatic animal exhibits at the animal care facility. This position will be 50% water quality and 50% LSS where the position will be responsible for monitoring all phases of aquarium exhibit water quality, water treatment processing, equipment condition and making necessary changes or repairs as needed. This position will also be responsible for assisting senior technicians in managing department volunteer schedules and workload.
This position will frequently interface with other Zoological Operations staff including veterinarians and animal biologists regarding water chemistry parameters, LSS process equipment adjustments and needed repairs. This position will closely work with more senior LSS and WQ staff to perform the functions listed above and to provide daily updates on processes, equipment status and needed repairs to the Director of LSS and ACF, Manager of LSS, and Asst. Manager of LSS at the ACF. The balance of Water Quality and Life Support Systems work will vary on a day- by-day basis with some days being 50/50 but other days may be more Water Quality intensive or Life Support intensive. This position requires flexibility, sound judgement, patience, initiative and creativity.
Functions & Responsibilities
Essential Functions
1. Maintain accurate, reliable and usable chains of communication within the LSS and WQ department for the ability to conduct operations successfully.
2. Works within the ACF Water Quality Lab to carry out routine water quality analyses using a diversity of methods including spectrophotometry, titrations, and various electrode methods, adhering to Georgia Aquarium standards of laboratory practice.
3. Monitor LSS and WQ lab equipment and processes for normal operation, make changes as needed.
4. Must be able to use the LSS computerized controls system to monitor, record and modify system operations.
5. Prepare samples for Ion chromatography, Total Coliforms testing by the GAI lab as needed.
6. Maintain and troubleshoot lab instrumentation and LSS equipment as well as perform necessary repairs with guidance from senior LSS and WQ personnel.
7. Understand and interpret water chemistry reports and results, recommend and carry out corrections as recommended by others.
8. Manages, analyses, and clearly communicates accurate data from proper testing procedures. Sends out daily reports to the team as needed.
9. Handles and accurately dispenses chemical additives, adhering to OSHA safety requirements.
10. Maintain LSS and WQ system logs, records as needed.
11. Will be required to spot potential problems and solicit assistance from more senior LSS and WQ personnel as appropriate.
12. May be required to perform emergency on-call shifts during certain critical time periods (i.e. during animal transports, critical medical cases, etc.)
13. Helps to train and direct the activities of ACF WQ and LSS volunteers and interns.
14. Interface effectively with other departments within Georgia Aquarium as well as other institutions while maintaining the highest quality standards.
15. Follow and maintain all safety policies and procedures while maintaining the highest standard of work area cleanliness at all times.
16. To perform other duties as workload necessitates.
Skills & Experience
Knowledge & Skills
1. A 4-year degree in an earth or life science, or equivalent experience at an aquatic animal facility working within a similar field is preferred.
2. Must have practical experience with basic water quality methods and working with aquatic animals in closed aquarium systems including both fish and marine mammals.
3. Must have a working knowledge of freshwater & seawater chemistry and how it pertains to aquatic animals.
4. Demonstrated laboratory experience and familiarity with basic concepts such as laboratory safety, workflow, data management and quality control.
5. Must be proficient in use of proper test equipment, hand & power tools, and shop equipment.
6. Demonstrated ability to gather, analyze and manage various types of data; excellent organizational skills.
7. Must have above average computer skills. Experience operating multi-computer networks with dynamic graphic based user interfaces or human machine interfaces (HMI’s) including touch screens is desired.
8. Proficiency with Microsoft Office products is required.
9. Must possess strong problem-solving skills for diagnosing equipment malfunctions and improper results from water quality testing.
10. An ability to work independently or as part of a coordinated team.
11. Demonstrated professionalism, including politeness, good judgment, effective time management and punctuality, and an appreciation for diversity.
12. Ability to be flexible and shift priorities to meet departmental requirements.
13. Ability to detect potential emergencies and effectively escalate to management.
Job Requirements
Physical Requirements
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds 100 feet. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. An employee must also have the ability to travel by car, boat, and air as needed, conduct field work in the collection and research of animals, and maintain daily contact with a living collection of plants and animals.
