Overview:
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is seeking a Life Support Systems & Water Quality Keeper who is passionate about ensuring the health and well-being of our aquatic animals through advanced technical systems. This role is perfect for candidates with strong mechanical skills in pumps, motors, plumbing, and electrical systems. As an essential team member, you will maintain, operate, and troubleshoot life support and water quality systems vital to our aquatic exhibits, helping maintain safe environments for the animals.
The ideal candidate will have expertise in mechanical systems, an understanding of biological and chemical filtration systems, and experience with water quality testing. You will work closely with colleagues to monitor and maintain water quality, collaborate with the Facilities Department, and perform repairs to ensure that all systems run efficiently. If you are a hands-on problem solver with a passion for animal care, this position offers a rewarding opportunity to make a direct impact on animal health and exhibit success.
Responsibilities:
Operates, maintains, and repairs the Animal Care department’s life support and water quality systems. This position requires expertise in mechanical systems such as pumps, motors, plumbing, and electrical systems, along with the ability to troubleshoot complex systems ensuring the health of our animals.
Key Responsibilities:
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Maintain & Operate Critical Equipment: Operates, monitors, and ensures the proper functioning of equipment vital to the operation of Animal Care exhibit water quality, life support systems, and exhibit water features (e.g., lab equipment, pumps, valves, filters, ozone generators, backwashes, generators).
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Troubleshoot & Repair: Performs minor service and repairs to LSS equipment/systems, including but not limited to water pumps, ozone equipment, meters/monitors/probes/sensors, air blowers, air prep units, water towers and vessels, water chillers and heat exchangers, valves, LSS plumbing, filters, and generators.
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Water Quality Management: Communicates daily with co-workers and curators regarding LSS and water quality issues as they relate to animal health and exhibit function/appearance. Monitors and performs water quality analyses, including salinity, pH, temperature, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, copper, sulfate, ORP, hardness, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, phosphate, turbidity, chlorine, and other parameters.
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Troubleshoots water chemistry problems by recommending and adding chemicals, synthetic seawater and reclaimed seawater to tanks as needed to maintain appropriate levels and responds to life support system alarms.
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Collaboration & Engagement: Works closely with co-workers to monitor and maintain nitrogen cycling in new and empty tanks, ensuring all scheduled and unscheduled water changes, transfers, and tank-drop procedures are completed safely and efficiently.
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Attends region meetings and participates in developmental seminars (e.g. remains current on job skills) and workshops as required.
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Provide input to head keeper and curator staff on all aspects (e.g. water quality, safety, life support systems) of the region.
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Coordinates with and assists the Facilities Department with major repairs, preventative maintenance service, and on water quality and life support equipment.
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Provides educational information about the region’s animal population through such activities as interacting with the public, conducting keeper talks, conducting tours and workshops, attending docent meetings, composing articles for zoo publication and conducting volunteer trainings.
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Diving & Safety: Will serve as a spotting diver when only one diver is in the water. Ensures the safety of self, animals, co-workers, and visitors by following safety guidelines around the animals, equipment, and vehicles.
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Utilizes chemical supply products and follows standardized usage guidelines and safety information as set by the Material Data Sheets and makes recommendations to curator staff on compliance related issues.
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Water Management & Efficiency: Maintains the efficient operation of backwash recovery systems and water reclamation to reclaim at least 95% on marine systems. Prepares and maintains saltwater batches and water transfers on large systems.
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Record Keeping & Reporting: Maintains accurate records of water quality testing and life support readings/activities, generating reports and recommendations based on the information.
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Inventory & Equipment: Maintains an inventory of backup LSS equipment, parts, and supplies to facilitate regular preventative maintenance service and minor repairs.
Additional Responsibilities:
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Provides leadership to other Animal Care team members and departments on water quality and life support issues as required.
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Establishes and maintains contact with other keepers outside of the Columbus Zoo, field researchers and other specialists as required.
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Participates in cross-training as directed
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Constantly strives to further the mission of the organization and avidly supports the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks.
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Implements sustainable practices in daily tasks whenever possible.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have experience with pumps and motors, dosing equipment, and flow meters as well as experience in pools or water moving equipment.
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Mechanical Expertise: Skills in LSS plumbing, minor electrical, fiberglass repair, and light carpentry preferred.
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Technical Proficiency: Thorough understanding of biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration systems including ozone mechanics, ORP, chlorine injection, biological filters, rapid sand filters, and the ability to troubleshoot these systems.
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Proficiency with computers is preferred with Microsoft Office software experience.
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Experience: Six months’ experience as LSS/Water Quality Keeper preferred. Experience in the maintenance of aquariums, aquatic life support systems, and the use of water quality testing equipment preferred.
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Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology or relevant field required. Four years of relevant experience may be substituted for a degree.
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High school diploma or equivalent required.
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Water Quality Knowledge: Knowledge of spectrophotometers (e.g., HACH) and multiprobe mini-sonde (e.g., hydrolab, YSI) preferred.
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Diving Certification: S.C.U.B.A. certification required or the ability to obtain certification within one year of employment. Must be able to pass the Dive Program annual swim test and physical exam.
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Physical & Mental Resilience: Ability to perform strenuous physical work, plan, and organize tasks independently, and troubleshoot under pressure.
Other Requirements:
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Ability to develop and deliver informational presentations to small, medium, or large groups required.
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Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with all Zoo team members and contacts regarding company business required.
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Ability to be on an on-call basis preferred.
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Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays required.
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Ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing is required.
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Ability to provide excellent guest service by positively interacting with guests and upholding the Guest service standards required.
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Ability to adhere to standard operating procedures including but not limited to safety protocols required.
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Ability to plan and organize work in an efficient and cost-effective manner and without direct supervision is required.
Why Join Us?
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A Meaningful Role: Play a vital part in ensuring the health and wellbeing of thousands of animals through the upkeep of advanced aquatic life support systems.
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Professional Development: Opportunities to participate in workshops, seminars, and cross-training programs to enhance your skills.
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Collaborative Work Environment: Join a passionate team of professionals who work together to create memorable experiences for visitors while prioritizing animal welfare.
Other Requirements:
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Ability to adhere to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s drug-free workplace policy.
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Ability to pass a criminal background check and TB screening annually.
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Possession of a valid state-issued motor vehicle operator’s license and a good driving record.
How to Apply:
If you have a strong background in mechanical systems and are passionate about animal care, we encourage you to apply and help us maintain the exceptional water quality that supports our animals.
