Life Support Systems Operator (Aquatics, Mechanic, Water Systems)

Jacksonville Zoo And Botanical Gardens

Job Location:

Jacksonville, FL - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 30+ days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Application Deadline:10November2025and/or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. We reserve the right to closethe posting earlyif a well-qualified candidate pool has been established.Early submission is encouraged.

Please ensure that yourapplication highlights your experience and qualificationsas they relate to the responsibilities of this role.

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

The Zoos REZOOVENATION: The Campaign to Inspire. The campaign that expands animal care wellness facilities and enhances guest experiences. This position will directly support these initiatives while maintainingall aquatic systems throughout the Zoo ensuring optimal water quality and animal well-being.

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 330000-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 environment. 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 Youll Do:

Operate monitor and maintain recirculating aquaculture systems backwash systems ozone generators UV sterilizers HVAC systems pumps valves and filtration systems.
Conduct water quality testing data logging and make adjustments to maintain optimal aquatic environments.
Troubleshoot repair and maintain complex life support and water quality systems in both freshwater and saltwater habitats.
Perform aquatic husbandry tasks as needed to maintain water quality while minimizing species interactions.
Ensure compliance with all safety AZA USDA USFWS and AALSO standards.
Collaborate with Animal Care Facilities and Conservation teams to support species wellness and operational efficiency.
Participate in dive operations for cleaning inspection and maintenance of exhibit infrastructure as required.
Maintain accurate records of system performance maintenance activities and water quality monitoring.

Qualifications 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.
Six (6) months of experience as an individual contributor in water systems or related fields performing operational maintenance or underwater tasks.
Familiarity with housing marine mammals including life support system requirements and testing/monitoring parameters to comply with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).
Mechanical aptitude and demonstrated ability to operate inspect and maintain manual and automated life support systems filtration processes and water quality equipment.
Knowledge of water chemistry treatment processes and aquatic system health including chlorine dosing ozone/UV systems and nitrogen cycle management.
Ability to safely perform underwater tasks in accordance with established diving safety protocols and communicate effectively with surface support staff.
Understanding of safety protocols standard operating procedures and regulatory compliance in aquatic facilities including animal safety and personal protective equipment use.
Ability to collect and record water quality data interpret results and make adjustments to maintain optimal aquatic environments.
Strong teamwork communication and problem-solving skills including coordination with staff across multiple departments.
Willingness to work flexible hours including weekends holidays and on-call shifts as needed.
Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and dynamic environment maintaining attention to detail and high standards of animal care.
Willingness to complete all required pre-employment screenings including background check drug screen physical examination and employment verification in accordance with organizational hiring standards.

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.
Experience performing underwater inspection cleaning and maintenance of aquatic exhibits or tanks.
Experience with life support or water systems in a zoo aquarium or aquaculture facility.

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 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

Application Deadline:10November2025and/or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. We reserve the right to closethe posting earlyif a well-qualified candidate pool has been established.Early submission is encouraged.Please ensure that yourapplication highlights your ex...

Please ensure that yourapplication highlights your experience and qualificationsas they relate to the responsibilities of this role.

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 Youll Do:

Operate monitor and maintain recirculating aquaculture systems backwash systems ozone generators UV sterilizers HVAC systems pumps valves and filtration systems.
Conduct water quality testing data logging and make adjustments to maintain optimal aquatic environments.
Troubleshoot repair and maintain complex life support and water quality systems in both freshwater and saltwater habitats.
Perform aquatic husbandry tasks as needed to maintain water quality while minimizing species interactions.
Ensure compliance with all safety AZA USDA USFWS and AALSO standards.
Collaborate with Animal Care Facilities and Conservation teams to support species wellness and operational efficiency.
Participate in dive operations for cleaning inspection and maintenance of exhibit infrastructure as required.
Maintain accurate records of system performance maintenance activities and water quality monitoring.

Qualifications 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.
Six (6) months of experience as an individual contributor in water systems or related fields performing operational maintenance or underwater tasks.
Familiarity with housing marine mammals including life support system requirements and testing/monitoring parameters to comply with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).
Mechanical aptitude and demonstrated ability to operate inspect and maintain manual and automated life support systems filtration processes and water quality equipment.
Knowledge of water chemistry treatment processes and aquatic system health including chlorine dosing ozone/UV systems and nitrogen cycle management.
Ability to safely perform underwater tasks in accordance with established diving safety protocols and communicate effectively with surface support staff.
Understanding of safety protocols standard operating procedures and regulatory compliance in aquatic facilities including animal safety and personal protective equipment use.
Ability to collect and record water quality data interpret results and make adjustments to maintain optimal aquatic environments.
Strong teamwork communication and problem-solving skills including coordination with staff across multiple departments.
Willingness to work flexible hours including weekends holidays and on-call shifts as needed.
Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and dynamic environment maintaining attention to detail and high standards of animal care.
Willingness to complete all required pre-employment screenings including background check drug screen physical examination and employment verification in accordance with organizational hiring standards.

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.
Experience performing underwater inspection cleaning and maintenance of aquatic exhibits or tanks.
Experience with life support or water systems in a zoo aquarium or aquaculture facility.

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 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

Key Skills

Computer Science
Active Directory
Computer information Technology
PowerShell
OS
Windows
Database
SCCM
Linux
SAN
Troubleshoot
Backup
Setup
Technical Support
UNIX

Apply Now

About Company

Jacksonville Zoo And Botanical Gardens

Consider a career at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens where you can share your passion about the wonders of wildlife and plants with our community and guests. Join the innovative, award winning Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens family, ranked as a top twenty-five zoo in the USA by Trip Ad ... View more

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