Aquarium Life Support Technician I/II
The Aquarium Life Support Technician will be part of a dynamic team that is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s 800,000-gallon aquatic life support systems. This position will provide for the needs of all animal and aquarium life support systems. This position will be expected to communicate with staff across functional areas regarding maintenance for each system to maintain the highest animal care standards. Collaborate with water quality, veterinary, and animal care staff to ensure the highest standards of animal care and welfare for all animal exhibits and holding/quarantine systems.
Functions & Responsibilities
Essential Functions
Aquarium Life Support Technician I
• Conduct regular daily inspections, maintain water quality through monitoring and operation of individual life support systems, and perform preventative maintenance tasks on life support and related equipment under the direction of senior staff.
• Assist in troubleshooting and maintenance of pumps, filters, fractionators, compressors, ozone generators, valve and piping systems, electronic control systems, and laboratory equipment.
• Receive work assignments from senior staff and generate work orders, progress reports, and daily logs.
• Recommend and maintain the stock of required spare parts, tools, equipment and supplies.
• Interpret schematics, equipment drawings and automated control system display drawings and indicators.
• Assist with the installation of hardware connected to the automated controls system.
• Monitor and analyze trends; recognize issues and respond per established protocols. Assist with conducting and interpreting water quality tests and analyze data and assist with corrections as needed.
• Maintain exhibit quality standards through regular maintenance and cleaning activities.
• Assist with upgrading and/or installing life support systems in exhibits. May assist in exhibit design, construction, assembly, maintenance, and repair, including but not limited to, fiberglass and concrete décor; waterproofing materials and treatments; and acrylic.
• Research and suggest upgrades, visitor enhancements, and changes to exhibit and life support systems to senior staff.
Aquarium Life Support Technician II
• Responsible for the overall operation and proper function of assigned animal exhibit life support systems. Perform preventative maintenance tasks on life support and related equipment, as directed and in accordance with governing agencies’ and regulatory/accrediting bodies’ standards and guidelines.
• Perform advanced life support system operation responsibilities such as new system startups; emergency or time sensitive repairs and retrofit operations; assess system and equipment functionality, efficiency, and replacement needs; provide life support design, construction, operation and maintenance; and seawater process operation needs assessments with animal curatorial staff.
• Monitor and analyze trends; recognize issues and respond per established protocols. Assist with conducting and interpreting water quality tests, analyze data, and assist with corrections as needed.
• Troubleshoot and repair automated life support equipment control systems. Assist with installation, and maintenance to ensure proper operation and to prevent equipment failure.
• Conduct routine and emergency maintenance and repair of exhibit and life support components including but not limited to, fiberglass and concrete structures; waterproofing materials and treatments; piping systems; valves; filters; tanks.
• Assist the Senior Curator with developing and maintaining section operating budgets, procurement efforts, and purchasing, including preparing specifications, and evaluating products and vendors.
• Assist the Senior Curator with life support project development, including scoping and feasibility, resource and time allocation, budgeting, exhibit enhancement and/or construction design, and implementation.
• Investigate, initiate, and collaborate with Aquarium staff, volunteers, fellows, and other professional institutions on research projects.
• Create and interpret schematics and equipment drawings.
• Regularly review current protocols for improvements. Assist with developing, editing, and implementing standard operating procedures to ensure compliance to all applicable regulatory/accrediting bodies’ standards.
• Assist in hiring and training life support staff, volunteers, and interns; assist with professional development of section staff, volunteers, and interns. Support the department’s safety representative’s efforts to ensure compliance of the Virginia Aquarium’s maintenance program protocols and operations with all applicable OSHA regulations.
Other Duties & Responsibilities
Performance Standards
Perform life support system operations and other life support maintenance work satisfactorily under the
supervision of senior staff; consistently and effectively monitor and respond to automated control
systems; compile reports and narratives with satisfactory degree of accuracy; and complete assigned
tasks to quality standard; and effectively train, and assist other staff, volunteers, and interns in relevant
tasks. Aquatic Animal Life Support Operator Level I certification and/or Water Quality (AALSO) Level I
certification.
Skills & Experience
Education & Experience
Aquarium Life Support Technician I
Requires any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to two (2) years of experience in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and associated with positions such as aquarium life support operator/technician, water treatment plant operator, aquaculturist, aquarist, exhibits technician, or maintenance worker in a similar facility.
Aquarium Life Support Technician II
Requires any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to four (4) years’ experience in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and associated with such positions as aquarium life support operator/technician, water treatment plant operator, aquaculturist, aquarist, exhibits technician, or maintenance worker in a similar facility.
Job Requirements
Physical Requirements
Must be available to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime when required to meet operational
needs.
This position may require that incumbents wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment
such as, but not limited to, steel toed shoes, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, or other safety attire and
equipment in designated areas of risk. Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by
the employee’s supervisor based on position assigned.
This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to mandatory drug testing and annual exams. Positive
drug test results may result in counseling and/or discipline, up to and including, termination.
Alpha I Status: Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees
to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City’s operational status.
Successful completion of a pre-employment physical.
Working Conditions
Work schedule: 40 hours/week with rotating weekends and holidays. Schedules vary between 8-10 hour shifts depending on operational needs. Shift s are scheduled between 6 AM to 6 PM.
Salary & Benefits
Aquarium Life Support Technician II: $45,527.40-$70,567.47
Depending on qualifications and Experience
