Life Support Systems Technician

Job Overview:

Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield, MO is seeking a dynamic LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS LEAD to join our team! This individual will be programming, operating, repairing, maintaining and monitoring all marine and freshwater aquatic life support systems at Americas Best Aquarium, Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium. This state of the art 1.5-million-gallon Aquarium showcases 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds! At 350,000 square feet, Wonders of Wildlife is the mid-wests' premiere Aquarium to follow your passion and become part of a team full of true conservationists! Wonders of Wildlife and Dogwood Canyon are committed to developing our team by offering career ladders so that employees can gain knowledge, skills and abilities based on achieving and maintaining the job criteria to advance their careers. 

Essential Functions of LSS Lead:

• Operate and maintain Life Support Systems; including water filters, ozone generation and treatment, chlorine dosing equipment, UV sterilization, protein fractionators and associated computer controls.
• Works with LSS Supervisor, Facilities Manager, and General Curator, Water Quality and Veterinary departments to maintain an environment conducive to the health and well-being of all animals within the WOW Collection.
• Ensure adequate amounts of prepared freshwater and saltwater is available for all animal enclosures.
• Responsible for performing the LSS preventative maintenance program, including monitoring all filtration systems and water parameters
• Operate pumps, filters, valves, and actuators.
• Work closely with the Life Support Systems Supervisor and Facilities Manager to perform standard operating procedures and operation sequences for LSS systems, plumbing and piping.
• Maintain operational data logs on all water systems.
• Assist staff and visitors as needed in a pleasant, professional and courteous manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Must adhere to all company/department safety standards and policies. 
• Must be open to working mandatory/approved overtime.
• Must be open to working weekends/weekdays/nights when necessary/critical to support the business.   
• Must be able to cover shifts at affiliate Conservation Attraction properties. 
• Must have an approved driving record and operate a company vehicle if required/applicable. 
• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot and repair pumps, filters, valves, and actuators.
• Responsible for providing adequate means to fulfill repair maintenance for the Life Support Systems by maintaining adequate spare parts and special tool inventories.
• Diagnose and schedule repairs to Life Support Systems; including water filters, ozone generation and treatment, chlorine dosing equipment, UV sterilization, protein fractionators and associated computer controls.
• Responsible for updating, and scheduling the LSS preventative maintenance program, including monitoring all filtration systems and water parameters.
• Diagnose and schedule repair to pumps, filters, valves, and actuators.
• Responsible for verifying adequate equipment is available to perform repairs and maintenance for the Life Support Systems.
• Fabricate and maintain operational data logs on all water systems.
• Mentors and trains less experienced staff in all aspects of the Life Support Systems.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: 

Any combination of education, training, and experience providing the following knowledge skills and abiliites. 

MINIMUM Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education for LSS Tech I: 

• Knowledge-Basic understanding of mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration as it applies to aquarium systems is preferred.  Basic knowledge of freshwater and salwater chemistries. Basic plumbing, mechanical, and electrical skills. 
• Mental - Requires a high degree of concentration and attention to detail — the ability to focus on multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Physical-  Requires walking/standing approximately 60% of the time; sitting approximately 20% of the time; lifting up to 80 lbs — approximately 10% of the time; stooping, forward bending and crouching approximately 10% of the time.  
• Environmental - Requires capability of performing essential job functions in an aquarium museum environment with climate control and good lighting.  It also requires some work outside in various environmental conditions.
• Manual Dexterity – Requires the ability to operate telephones, facsimile machines, computers, and other general office equipment to record written information and maintain files. 
• Audible - Requires the ability to communicate verbally with employees, volunteers, guests, and technical professionals in person and via telephone.  
• Visual - Requires the ability to operate office equipment, including computers, and read written instructions and other documentation.  Must be able to lead classroom programs, including crafts, transport, and display live species.
• Any combination of experience, education, skills, certification(s), etc. will be taken into consideration 
• Must be able to work in an environment with exposure to sunlight, various animals, weather, loud sounds, low lighting, close quarters, high/low temperatures, etc. 
• Knowledge- Requires experience with large-scale aquatic life support and filtration systems preferably in a zoo or aquarium.
• Must have a good understanding of mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration as it applies to aquarium systems.
• Requires knowledge of automated controls, pneumatics, electro-mechanical and electro-optical devices and methods. 
• Experience with RCK control systems preferred. Thorough knowledge of freshwater and saltwater chemistries.Basic plumbing, mechanical, and electrical skills.Basic swimming ability.
• Requires 3 years’ experience with large-scale aquatic life support and filtration systems in a zoo or aquarium setting.
• Must have a complete understanding of mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration as it applies to aquarium systems.
• Requires knowledge of automated controls, pneumatics, electro-mechanical and electro-optical devices and methods. Experience with RCK control systems required.
• Requires ability to read blueprints, schematic drawings, diagrams, P&ID’s and make necessary corrections and changes.
• Requires good computer and professional communication skills, and the ability to operate all required Microsoft office and building controls equipment. Experience with Trane systems preferred.
• Ability to lead a team or work alone.
• Ability to interact in a positive and timely manner with peripheral teams i.e. Animal education outreach programs, Life Sciences, Veterinary care, Water Quality, Outside Vendors, and Guests.
• Thorough knowledge of freshwater and saltwater chemistries.
• Ability to respond to any emergeny situations at any time 
• Basic plumbing, mechanical, and electrical skills
• Basic swimming ability

Required Licenses & Certifications For LSS Lead : 

• Open Water SCUBA diving certification or the ability to obtain one within 6 months
• AALSO Life Support Operator Level I certification or the ability to obtain one within 1 year
• Valid Missouri driver’s license or the ability to obtain one within 30 days

Additional Competencies:

• Adaptability - Ability to effectively adjust to major changes in work tasks or the work environment.
• Aligning Performance for Success - Skilled at focusing and guiding others in accomplishing work objectives.
• Building a Successful Team - Skilled at building a cohesive team and facilitating goal accomplishment.
• Building Trust - Ability to interact with others in an honest, fair and respectful way; giving others confidence in one's intentions and those of the organization.
• Communication - Skilled at clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media; engaging the audience and helping them understand and retain the message. 
• Customer Focus - Ability to develop and sustain productive customer relationships; actively seeking information to understand and address customers' needs. 
• High Work Standards - Sets high standards of performance for self and others; assumes responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks.
• Planning and Organizing - Skilled at establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure work is completed efficiently.
• Problem Solving / Decision Making - Ability to identify and understand issues, problems, and opportunities; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing solutions.

We offer the following benefits by joining our team: 

Full Time: 

• Store/Attraction employee discounts
• Medical, Vision, Dental, Company Paid Life Insurance, LTD, STD, 401(k) 
• Paid Time Off

Part Time: 

• Store/Attraction employee discounts
• GAP Insurance 
• Paid Time Off