The Assistant Director of Life Support Systems (LSS) will oversee the management, maintenance, and continuous improvement of aquatic life support infrastructure to ensure optimal environmental conditions for aquatic life. This role is accountable for maintaining high standards in operational safety, water quality, animal care support, regulatory compliance, and sustainability. The position will also provide strategic oversight and team leadership across all LSS functions.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the planning, daily operation, and preventative maintenance of complex aquatic life support systems including filtration, temperature regulation, disinfection (ozone and UV), water chemistry balance, and automation systems
- Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of technicians and engineers handling scheduling, performance reviews, training, and professional development
- Collaborate with animal health and husbandry teams to support water quality programs that meet the highest standards of aquatic welfare
- Design and implement preventive maintenance plans and emergency response procedures
- Direct capital projects related to new installations, system upgrades, and infrastructure modernization
- Ensure full compliance with relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations
- Manage departmental budgets, procurement processes, and inventory of parts, chemicals, and equipment
- Drive sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing energy, water, and chemical usage across systems
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Science, Marine Biology, or a closely related discipline
- 8 to 10 years of experience in managing life support systems with a minimum of 3 to 5 years in a supervisory or leadership capacity
- Experience in aquatic animal facilities such as aquariums, marine parks, or comparable institutions is strongly preferred
Technical Competencies
- In-depth knowledge of aquatic life support systems including but not limited to sand and protein filtration, UV and ozone disinfection, water treatment chemistry, and SCADA or PLC-controlled systems
- Proficient in reading technical schematics, blueprints, and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)
- Experience using maintenance management software such as Maximo or equivalent
Leadership & Communication
- Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing technical teams
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills
- Effective communicator across operational, technical, and cross-functional teams
- Skilled in vendor management and coordination
Working Conditions
- May involve work in physically demanding environments including confined spaces, elevated platforms, and varying temperature or humidity conditions
- Will be part of the on-call rotation for operational emergencies
- Flexibility to work during weekends, holidays, or off-hours when required by operational needs
