Water Quality & Building Operations Associate
The Water Quality & Building Operations Associate will work primarily at our Center for Animal Care and Sustainability location, but also requires weekly shifts at the main Campus location. This position coordinates and performs routine environmental analysis, primarily water quality analysis, on various aquarium habitats, and assists in basic building operations. Testing includes wet chemical techniques and automated instrumentation. Excellent communication and record keeping are critical to success in this position. The Associate works independently at times, but mostly works in a team environment. This position requires weekend and holiday coverage.
Functions & Responsibilities
Essential Functions
- Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission, and values.
- Cultivates and maintains a positive working environment.
- Complies with departmental policy for the safe storage, usage and disposal of hazardous materials and a safe working environment.
- Maintains a clean and safe workplace.
- Covers shifts at the Shedd Downtown campus as needed.
- Collects water samples from various basins, exhibits, and life support systems.
- Supervises, trains, and assists volunteers and interns in the performance of accurate water testing.
- Maintains water quality records daily.
- Calibrates and maintains water quality equipment in proper working order.
- Maintains inventory of materials needed for regular environmental analysis.
- Performs system additions as required.
- Assists in calibration of in-line probes.
- Conducts environmental quality studies as directed.
- Monitoring Life Support Systems through our building automation system.
- Backwashing of filters
- Water makeup, storage and transfers; including salt mixing.
- Represents the division at the CACS and on interdepartmental teams.
- Supports other departments, such as Learning and Development, by giving tours of the laboratory and CACS.
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills & Experience
Education & Experience
Education:
BS or BA in chemistry, biology, zoology, or other related science field required.
Experience:
Familiarity with basic aquarium water chemistry.
Understanding of general analytical wet chemical techniques.
2+ years of working in a water quality laboratory preferred.
Experience supporting aquarium building operations preferred.
Experience with Animal Care Database – TRACKS is preferred.
Experience with Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Excel.
Job Requirements
Physical Requirements
The physical demands 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.
Lift up to 50 pounds
Sit
Stand
Stoop
Walk
Kneel/Bend
Climb ladders
Hazardous Chemicals
Working Conditions
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Water
Low noise
Moderate Noise
Loud Noise
Hazardous Chemicals
Air particles
Falling materials
