Life Support Systems Operator (Aquatics, Full-Time)

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens seeks a Full-Time Life Support Operator to maintain, optimize, and troubleshoot aquatic life support systems supporting both freshwater and saltwater habitats, including the 330,000-gallon Manatee River aquarium. The role requires hands-on experience with recirculating systems, ozone, UV, filtration, pumps, HVAC, and water quality monitoring.

You will perform aquatic husbandry duties and ensure optimal water quality, collaborating across teams, performing

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in a similar role with water systems or related field.
• One year of paid professional experience with aquatic animals and regulations under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).
• Six months experience using mechanical/hand tools to diagnose, repair, and restore life support components.

Responsibilities

• Operate, repair, and maintain life support systems including recirculating aquaculture systems, ozone, backwash, pumps, filtration, valves, UV sterilizers, HVAC, and water quality monitoring.
• Monitor parameters and perform precise water testing to maintain optimal conditions for aquatic life.
• Collaborate with teams, trouble-shoot issues, and perform preventive maintenance; respond to emergencies on on-call rotations.

Skills

Water systems maintenance

Aquatic life knowledge

Mechanical aptitude

Microsoft Office

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

SketchUp

GF Cloud

Duo

Grainger

Job description

Do you have hands-on experience maintaining and repairing water systems for aquatic life? Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens seeks a Full-Time Life Support Operator to maintain, optimize, and troubleshoot the aquaculture systems that support our aquatic and semi-aquatic species.

The Zoo’s REZOOVENATION: The Campaign to Inspire. This role is essential in sustaining the enhanced aquatic environments that support animal care excellence and an elevated guest experience. The position ensures all aquatic systems operate at peak performance, maintaining optimal water quality and supporting the health and well-being of our animals.

As a subject matter expert, you will operate, repair, and maintain both manual and automated life support systems, including recirculating aquaculture systems, ozone generators, backwash systems, pumps, filtration systems, valves, UV sterilizers, HVAC systems, and integrated water quality monitoring systems. You will work in freshwater and saltwater habitats, including the 330,000-gallon Manatee River aquarium within the Manatee Critical Care Center expansion.

You may perform aquatic husbandry duties to ensure optimal water quality, including monitoring parameters, managing fecal matter, and minimizing interactions with species to maintain a healthy environmental. Each day involves collaboration across teams, precise water testing, technical problem-solving, and adjustments to optimize living conditions for aquatic life.

Apply your technical expertise to sustain life support systems that protect aquatic life, inspire conservation, and create memorable experiences for our guests.

Help us achieve our mission of "Connecting communities with wildlife and wild places."

What You Bring...

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Two (2) years of experience in a similar role with water systems or a related field, including operating recirculating aquaculture systems, backwash systems, integrated electronic water quality monitoring systems, large-scale aquariums, HVAC systems, and general equipment maintenance.
• One (1) year of paid professional experience with aquatic animals of regulations for housing marine mammals, including testing and monitoring parameters required by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).
• Six (6) months experience applying mechanical and hand tools to diagnose, repair, and restore life support system components in operational environments that may include PVC plumbing techniques, including solvent welding and threaded fitting repair.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and willingness to learn other programs to perform role; software ecosystem ( SketchUp, GF Cloud, Duo, Grainger, etc.)
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including extended hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on operational needs.
• On-call schedule: The role also requires participation in a shared on-call rotation and the ability to respond to emergency maintenance situations within a reasonable and operationally necessary timeframe. Employees must be able to report onsite within 30 minutes when assigned on-call or when emergency response is required.
• Ability to maintain valid driver’s license and clear driving record to drive organizational vehicles.
• Pre-Employment Requirements: Candidates selected for this position must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings prior to their start date. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory to ensure the safety of staff, animals, and visitors. These include:
  • Verification of professional references.
  • Employment history verification.
  • Criminal background check.
  • 5-panel drug test
  • Non-DOT physical examination

Required certifications to obtain within one (1) year of hire:

• Life Support Level 1 or Water Quality Level 1 certification from Aquatic Animal Life Support Operators (AALSO).
• Pool Operator certification.
• Open Water Diver certification.

A plus...

• AALSO certification or equivalent experience.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain standing for extended periods.
• Ability to safely perform dive operations in varying water depths and temperatures while wearing standard scuba or surface-supplied equipment.
• Ability to swim and remain afloat as required to safely perform diving and underwater maintenance operations.
• Ability to work in both indoor and outdoor aquatic environments that may include wet, humid, or confined spaces.
• Visual acuity and hand-eye coordination sufficient to perform underwater inspection and maintenance tasks; includes fine motor skills for grasping, turning, and manipulating objects of varying size and weight.
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members during dive operations and respond appropriately to emergency situations as trained.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move objects up to 50 pounds with or without accommodation.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks such as walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing, reaching, digging trenches to lay conduit, or moving and lifting heavy objects.
• Visual acuity required for reading, writing, and observing surroundings; auditory acuity required for clear communication and situational awareness.
• Ability to operate motorized carts, trucks, and power tools safely and efficiently.
• Ability to quickly move hands and arms to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects as required by system maintenance and equipment repair tasks.
• Ability to work from ladders, scaffolds, or elevated platforms to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
• Ability to perform precise hand and finger movements to grasp, manipulate, or assemble small parts and components.

WORK CONDITIONS

• Exposure to various weather conditions, including extreme heat, sunlight, cold, rain, snow, and wind.
• Regular exposure to wet, slippery, and uneven surfaces in aquatic and maintenance areas.
• Exposure to water treatment chemicals (chlorine, ozone, acids, bases) and mechanical hazards associated with pumps, filters, and pressurized systems.
• Potential exposure to allergens (dust, animal dander, pollen, etc.), bloodborne pathogens, zoonotic diseases and injuries from animals.
• Irregular work hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays are sometimes.
• Exposure to hazards such wildlife, waste, equipment, loud noises, chemicals, and heights.
• May require working in confined spaces, elevated areas, or at heights using ladders, scaffolds, or platforms.
• Potential exposure to wildlife, waste materials, cleaning agents, and biohazardous substances.
• Requires use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, respirators, safety glasses, hearing protection, and dive gear, as appropriate to the task.
• Work may involve proximity to water, electrical systems, and other hazards requiring strict adherence to established safety procedures.

We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment regulations

EOE / DRUG FREE WORKPLACE