Aquarium Life Support Technician, #JR-00190

Duties

• 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 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 according to established protocols.
• Assist with conducting and interpreting water quality tests, data analysis and corrections as needed.
• Maintain exhibit quality standards through regular maintenance and cleaning.
• 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and/or an Associates of Applied Science degree in Aquarium Science
• Industry related certification or license, such as Aquatic Animal Life Support Operator (AALSO), waterworks operator, wastewater operator, water distribution operator, National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF), Certified Pool Operator (CPO), or similar
• Experience operating life support systems in a public aquarium, aquaculture facility, water production/ distribution systems, or wastewater systems
• Experience repairing/installing life support system components or similarly complex machinery
• Experience working in exhibit or life support design
• Experience with basic construction methods
• Water quality experience
• Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility

Qualifications

The City offers a generous benefits package, which includes health, dental and life insurance, retirement and savings plans, maternity/paternity and parental leave, holidays and leave. The City of Virginia Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer.