Water Quality Technician (Full Time)

the Memphis Zoo; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Memphis Zoo seeks a Water Quality Technician to oversee daily operations, monitoring, and basic preventative maintenance of Life Support equipment across zoo facilities. The role involves ensuring water quality for animal welfare and guest experience, with opportunities for certification in LSS/WQ such as AALSO, CPO, and AFO.

Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma, strong documentation skills, and the ability to work outdoors in varied weather.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous water quality or life-support experience preferred.
• Dive certification or experience appreciated.
• Outdoors work in heat/humidity expected.

Responsibilities

• Conduct daily checks of Life Support Systems and Public Water Features.
• Respond to radio calls, emails, and monitoring alerts.
• Maintain detailed data and measurements records.
• Perform weekly and daily water testing collections for lab and in-house testing.
• Maintain communication with Zoo staff and external vendors.
• Collaborate with City of Memphis supporters and on-site contractors.
• Describe issues and locations clearly in work orders.
• Perform daily and weekly pump room maintenance and basic cleaning.
• Participate in pool cleaning via MZ Dive Team upon certification.

Skills

Water quality testing

Data collection & documentation

Team communication

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Life Support System equipment

Lab testing equipment

Job description

Summary

The Water Quality Technician is responsible for the daily operations, monitoring, and basic preventative maintenance of all Life Support equipment and areas in the zoo footprint. Technicians work as members of a team to maintain LSS systems, monitor exhibit and public feature water quality, and preserve the levels of communication and documentation that allow for productive operations, sound animal well-being, and positive guest experience. This position provides multiple opportunities to learn and be certified in LSS/WQ at the Zoo, including but not limited to Aquatic Animal Life Support Operator (AALSO), Certified Pool Operator (CPO), and Aquatic Facilities Operator (AFO).

Common Definitions for the Memphis Zoo

• LSS – Life Support Systems – refers to all systems necessary to maintain positive well‑being for animals and guest experience, including but not limited to filtration, mechanical equipment such as pumps and motors, piping and valves, chemical distribution, sterilization systems, and water features.
• WQ – Water Quality – refers to all the basic water chemistry aspects necessary to maintain positive well‑being for animals and guest experience, including but not limited to basic water testing, sterilization, chemical measuring and additions, and documentation.
• Public Water Features – refers to any water feature on zoo grounds that the public has direct access to, including but not limited to the Splash Pad, Teton Geyser, and Nile River features.
• Animal Life Support – refers to any water feature/pump room that has direct influence over animal well‑being, including but not limited to exhibit pools, water features, and filtration.
• Preventative Maintenance – refers to any and all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance performed by the LSS/WQ team for the purpose of maintaining LSS/WQ systems. This work can be prescribed by vendor requirements or by the LSS/WQ Manager/Team Lead as daily duties. This does NOT include major repairs or work where a plumber or electrician is required.

Essential Job Functions

• Conduct daily checks of all Life Support Systems and Public Water Features, which includes but is not limited to performing consistent morning rounds, performing daily preventative maintenance, monitoring systems throughout the workday, and responding to radio calls from animal and operations staff.
• Respond efficiently to new and on‑going issues in a timely manner, including but not limited to radio calls, emails, and on‑going monitoring/projects.
• Maintain detailed documentation of all required data and measurements, including but not limited to equipment readings and daily basic water testing.
• Perform weekly and daily collections for required water testing, including samples collected for the lab and for in‑house testing.
• Maintain effective communication networks between Zoo operations staff, veterinary care staff, animal care staff, and Zoo leadership, including but not limited to radio and email communications.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships and communication with the City of Memphis Supporters and Vendors, including but not limited to on‑site plumbers and electricians through in‑person collaborations and the City of Memphis work order network.
• Effectively communicate with LSS/WQ staff and Zoo leadership regarding new and on‑going issues and work order submissions and be able to effectively describe issues and locations in detail.
• Daily and weekly pump room maintenance, including but not limited to basic cleaning duties, line tracing for leaks, and perform preventative maintenance.
• Upon certification, staff can participate in pool cleaning via the MZ Dive Team or hold a safety position for the MZ Dive Team when needed.

Minimum Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Previous experience in water quality, life support, water works, plumbing, or similar.
• Dive certification or experience is appreciated.
• Previous experience in a similar role, especially in regard to working outdoors during high heat/humidity.

Competencies

• Written and Oral Communication.
• Ability to Read & Interpret Reports.
• Observation & Data Collection.
• Attention to Detail.
• Safety Awareness.
• Problem Solving/Analysis.
• Water Quality Knowledge.
• Equipment Operation.
• Troubleshooting.
• Teamwork Orientation.
• Microsoft Office Suite.
• Decision Making.

Supervisory Responsibility

None.

Reporting Structure

Reports to Team Lead, Water Quality Manager.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

Full‑time positions are defined as positions scheduled to work approximately 40 hours a week. Scheduling is at the discretion of the manager. This position regularly requires flexible hours including weekdays, holidays, and weekends. This position is considered non‑exempt under the federal and state wage and hour laws.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of the job, the employee will work in outdoor settings (Zoo grounds), and occasionally underwater (upon certification). When outdoors this position is required to work in various weather conditions including rain, humidity, and extreme heat or cold.

Physical Demands

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. This position requires frequent standing/walking/bending/kneeling and will often move or lift objects up to 50 pounds. Occasional swimming or diving is required, per the scope of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Other Requirements

• 21 years or older.
• Clear background check.
• Clear drug screening.
• Clear MVR screening.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Proof of current automobile insurance.

Benefits & Perks

The Memphis Zoo has a comprehensive benefits and employee perks package. Please see our Memphis Zoo Careers page for details.

EEOC and Inclusion Statement

The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve. World‑class zoos are comprised of world‑class team members representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply.

The Memphis Zoo is an equal‑opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. If you need to request any accommodations for the interview or hiring process, please let the Human Resources team (HR) know. HR can be contacted at [e-mail].

The Memphis Zoo participates in E‑Verify and is an EEO/ADA/Veteran employer.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of pre‑employment screening. Memphis Zoo is a drug‑free workplace.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.