Aquarium Life Support Technician

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Become a CASTmember of the Nations Storyteller ® Be a part of the original Key West Aquarium which opened in 1935 in famous Mallory Square!

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Position Summary

The Life Support Systems Technician manages, maintains, repairs, designs, and installs water support systems for the aquarium’s animals exhibits, water features, and water quality. Provides a consistent flow of communication with all of the aquarium’s team members, establishing a positive teamwork environment in meeting designated water quality parameters. Assures accurate communication with vendors for product and material ordering.

Employee Benefits

• Competitive pay and paid training: $20 - $25 per hour

• All FT Employees are eligible for 2 weeks of paid vacation time as well as company sponsored health and wellness plans
• All FT, PT and Seasonal employees are eligible for:
• Paid sick time
• 401K plan with company matching*
• Flexible schedules, including a combination of weekdays and weekends are available
• Fun, upbeat work environment with various award and recognition celebrations throughout the year
• First Stop Health - 24 hr. access to doctor by phone or computer for employee and their dependents. Employer pays 100%
• Discounts in retail stores and free admission to all company attractions

Operating tours, attractions and retail in Boston, Key West, Nashville, San Diego, St. Augustine, Savannah, San Antonio, and Washington, DC since 1980!

*Eligibility requirements may apply

• Follows and upholds the aquarium’s life support systems (LSS) objectives, protocols, policies, maintenance schedules, and operating procedures to ensure the most professional effective, efficient, and successful animal exhibits and related aquarium functions.
• Operates, monitors, and maintains the aquarium’s LSS equipment, including but not limited to pumps, chillers, filters, and piping systems. Including conducting daily visual inspections. Maintenance also includes backwashing filters, water changes, temperature monitoring, and addition of chemicals to improve water quality.
• Performs preventative and corrective maintenance as needed to keep LSS equipment in excellent working condition and appearance.
• Participate in aquarium duties including but not limited to set-up and breakdown of exhibits, cleaning and maintenance of exhibits which could include being partially or fully submerged under water.
• Maintain schedules for preventative maintenance and database log for repairs, replacements, and rebuilds for both in house maintenance and outside Participate in the making of recommendations for equipment replacements or replacements or rebuilds.
• Monitors, maintains, and enters data in the LSS database logs for day-to-day operations and maintenance of life support systems related to aquarium operations and distributer reports.
• Provides a consistent flow of communication with all of the aquarium’s team members to effectively plan for the water quality needs of the Establishing a positive teamwork environment and problem resolution.
• Conducts water quality testing including but not limited to chlorine, salinity, pH coordinates, and other necessary testing requirements.
• Obeys and enforces safety policies and Report safety hazards to management immediately.

• Assist with moving the animals and assist the aquarist team with loading of supplies.
• Always maintains the highest standard of work area cleanliness.
• Pick up and deliver supplies as needed.
• Ability to work flexible shifts and respond to afterhours life support system emergencies.
• Pass annual MVR.

• High degree of self-motivation and ability to work independently or as a team within the scope of the established rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of filtration components and their applications
• Knowledge of construction, operation, and repair of centrifugal pumps, heat exchangers, air compressors, automated control systems, filtration systems, sand filters, and protein skimmers.
• Knowledge of plumbing practices, materials, and tools as they relate to the
• Knowledge of basic electrical and its application as well as repair techniques on electronic equipment controls on life support equipment.
• Knowledge of how to oil, grease, clean, and replace motors, bearings, and other frictional wearing surfaces.
• Ability to conduct backwashing, vacuuming, filter maintenance, and temperature monitoring related to aquarium systems.

• 2-year trade school degree or certification in plumbing and electrical or equivalent work experience.
• 3-year experience in aquatic animal life support systems or similar industrial process plant work experience.

Successful candidate must undergo a drug test and a background search

Salary : $20 - $25