Aquarium Life Support Technician I

Posted on Jan 22, 2021
The Aquarium Life Support Technician I 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 in assigned areas by doing regular daily inspections, maintaining water quality through monitoring and operation of individual life support systems and performing preventative maintenance tasks on life support and related equipment as directed by senior staff.  Duties will include the operation and maintenance of pumps, filters, fractionators, compressors, ozone generators, valve and piping systems, electronic control systems, and laboratory equipment.  This position will be expected to communicate with staff across functional areas regarding maintenance for each system to maintain the highest animal care standards by collaborating 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.  
 
All applicants must apply at https://www.vbgov.com/employment

Working Conditions:

There is no working conditions statement available for this position at this time.

Minimum Requirements:

MINIMUMS: 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. Must have, or obtain, a current and valid Virginia or North Carolina drivers license in accordance with Virginia or North Carolina DMV drivers license eligibility requirements. SPECIAL 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 employees 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 Citys operational status. Successful completion of a pre-employment physical.

Additional Requirements:

DMV Transcript:  Required
CDL:  Not Required                                       
DOT History:  Not Required                                                 
CPS Check:  Not Required
Physical:  Required    
Respirator:  Not Required
Polygraph Review:  Not Required
Psychological Screening:  Not Required

Attachments Required: 

Preferences:

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 construction or life support design. Water quality experience. Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility.

Special Instructions:

  • Please complete the application in its entirety. The application is the primary required document used to screen qualifications and years of experience. A resume does not replace a completed application. Fields on the application left blank, including but not limited to job duties, dates of employment, and hours worked, may cause your application to be incomplete. 
  • You will not be able to access the details of this job ad once the closing date has passed.   If you would like to retain this information, please take a screenshot or print using your browser's printing capability.
  • ​Your responses to any "Supplemental Questions", if attached to this requisition, must be supported by the information you give us in the work experience section of this application. Be sure you are thorough in describing your skills and duties as you complete the work experience section. If the information cannot be verified you will not receive credit. 
  • Please provide a copy of any certifications or related professional licenses.

VRS Contribution:   All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.  

 

 

Sponsors