Department: Plant Engineering
Location: New York Aquarium
Position Summary
The Provisional Life Support Systems (LSS) Maintainer is a technical, safety-sensitive, and essential position responsible for the safe operation, monitoring, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of NYA’s fresh-water and seawater systems and other related work as required. This position is expected to perform high quality work in support of NYA’s mission to provide uninterrupted and optimal life support conditions for the living collection and excellent water clarity for the visitor experience.
Principal Responsibilities
- Installs, operates, monitors and ensures proper functioning of all equipment vital to the operation of animal exhibits, quarantine and holding and life support systems and exhibit water features (e.g. pumps, valves, filters, ozone generators, UV sterilizers, backwashes, generators).
- Maintains efficient operation of backwash recovery system and water reclamation in order to reclaim at least 95% on marine systems. Prepares and maintains saltwater batches and water transfers on large systems. Maintains proper water quality using sanitizers, ozone and other chemicals. Maintains proper water filtration for turbidity/clarity.
- Performs PM tasks and affects necessary repairs on all life-support related equipment including, but not limited to: freshwater and seawater pumps, filters, heat exchangers, valves, pressure regulators and automation equipment, low-voltage systems, ozone equipment, UV sterilizers, air prep units, blowers, building hardware, LSS plumbing, generators and other duties as deemed necessary to maintain life support operations.
- Communicates daily with supervisor, plant engineering staff, co-workers, animal staff, and laboratory staff with regard to LSS and water quality issues as they relate to animal health and exhibit function/appearance. Works closely with co-workers to ensure all scheduled and unscheduled water changes, transfers and tank-drop procedures are completed safely and efficiently.
- Assists in the design and installation of new filtration systems. Interprets blueprints and equipment drawings.
- Responsible for maintaining accurate records; generates work orders and daily log sheets in a neat and orderly fashion, uses computer, MS Office and MS Outlook.
- Performs various troubleshooting techniques related to system problems and/or malfunctions and responds to emergencies.
- Assures safety of self, animals, co-workers and visitors by observing safety guidelines around the animals, equipment, and vehicles.
- Utilizes chemical supply products and follows standardized usage guidelines and safety information as set by the Material Data Sheets and makes recommendations to curator staff on compliance related issues.
- Read, understand, and utilize technical manuals and data regarding LSS operations, methodology and equipment.
