The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is looking for a Life Support and Facility Operations Technician to join the Facilities team. This position provides essential services, support, and technical expertise for a variety of maintenance/repair activities and coordinates work with skilled crafts and with other departmental work units under the supervision of the Aquarium engineer. Responsibilities include being dependable and accountable across all assigned tasks; effectively communicating across departments; collaborating in team settings; coping with change and operating at times in environments of uncertainty; utilizing sound analysis, good judgment and experience when solving complex problems; and demonstrating a willingness to learn new methods and approaches to challenges. The life support and facility operations technician is expected to respond to emergencies on an as-needed basis.

Operation of Life Support Systems throughout the zoo, equipment maintenance and repair, and basic water quality testing.

Under direction, the Life Support Operator performs routine work assignments involving the life support systems throughout the Zoo. This includes ensuring all systems are functioning properly and overseeing day-to-day operations to assure proper water quality, clarity and chemistry. Work areas will include the aquarium, polar bear pool, penguin building (2 penguin pools and multiple saltwater aquariums), sea lion pool, elephant pool, Stingray Bay, Missouri Department of Conservation aquarium, and otter exhibit.

This position requires a dedicated individual who will take direction from the Supervisor, Manager, Director and/or General Manager in overseeing all water quality systems within the aquarium. Must have experience with advanced water chemistry analysis techniques. Applicant must have thorough understanding of aquarium water chillers, heat exchangers, UV and ozone systems, reverse osmosis, fractionators, plumbing application, pumps, motors and filtration equipment. Applicant must have the ability to troubleshoot complex water treatment and filtration systems, both saltwater and freshwater. This position requires an individual with a high degree of professional experience in a broad range of specialty areas as well as proven leadership, effective training, and excellent teamwork by demonstrating leadership by example. Priorities for this position include fostering a positive work and team atmosphere, attention to animal health, exhibit excellence, and visitor experience.

Responsible for managing the Aquarium’s maintenance/life support team to support the operation, maintenance and repair of facilities and equipment associated with live animal habitats. Management and preventative maintenance of all life support system (LSS) equipment, including but not limited to pumps, sand filters, UV, ozone generators and other equipment that are critical to animal health.

The O&M Specialist II assists departmental colleagues with the maintenance and operation of base building and life support systems or other building machinery and equipment as assigned. Performs water transfers, mixing salt, and backwashing of life support filters. Performs the shift duties of the other operators when needed, as assigned, which may include temporary placement on a shift schedule, to accommodate vacations and other absences.

This is a second shift position with a schedule of Sunday – Thursday, 3PM – 11PM.

Position Summary:

Responsible for supervising the daily functions and husbandry of animals in the aquatic collection,
the acquisition, transport, and care of aquatic specimens, maintenance of life support systems, and maintaining proper water quality. Works closely with Animal Department management to carry out the functions and duties of the Animal Department. Responsible for ensuring Association of Zoo & Aquariums (AZA) accreditation as it relates to functional areas of responsibility.

The Life Support Systems Technician is responsible for performing daily inspections of all life support systems and components and maintaining all equipment in working order. The individual will handle such tasks as filter backwashes, system lineup changes, seawater intake treatment, troubleshoot any faulty systems, and more. This position works a 4-day workweek, and all life support technicians rotate shifts to provide 24-hour coverage, 365 days of the year.

The Life Support System Systems (LSS) Technician will assist with the daily operation, monitoring, maintenance, and repairs on primary and ancillary aquatic life support system equipment while ensuring that the highest standard of care is upheld for Mystic Aquarium’s animal collection. This position will assist the LSS Team in monitoring, preserving, and modifying existing water treatment processes, installing new equipment and process components, acquiring supplies, and consumables and repairing critical equipment and components.

While the Indianapolis Zoo is known for employing people to care for our animals, we also employ mechanics, plumbers, water treatment techs, electricians, and maintenance techs who work in our Facilities department. We have an immediate opening on 3rd shift for an Aquatic Water System Operator. This department area monitors, repairs, and maintains the marine mammal living environments – huge aquariums, small aquariums, the shark touch tank, and the Dolphin pools.

Ideal candidates are committed to advancing the Zoo’s mission to protect nature and inspire people to care for our world. The Aquatic Water System Operator ensures the proper functioning of the pumps, filters, piping, and all the environmental systems within the Zoo. Mechanical aptitude, working familiarity with equipment including HVAC, filtration systems, plumbing, electrical, pneumatic, and digital controls is required. Familiarity with Honeywell systems or other BMS systems is preferred.

The successful candidate will have at least one (1) year experience working in the General Maintenance field including familiarization of pool equipment, electrical, and plumbing. HVAC background a plus. This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, position that will require some flexibility with working different shifts, weekends, and holidays on occasion. A high school diploma/GED is required. Additional certification/ education preferred. These positions require applicants to be at least 18 years old and to have a valid Indiana driver’s license with a record insurable by the Zoo’s insurance.