Facilities and LSS Technician

Job Title: Facilities and LSS Technician

Department: Maintenance Date Written / Updated: 8/15/2022

Reports To: MNTNC Supervisor and Coordinator Status: Full Time, Exempt

SUMMARY:

Under limited supervision, the Facilities and LSS Technician will work with the Maintenance Supervisor and Zoo staff to accomplish the general maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of facilities including, but not limited to all equipment, buildings, enclosures, and utility systems contained on Zoo grounds or used in support of Zoo programs, on or off grounds, specifically, diagnostic and troubleshooting skills sufficient to inspect, repairs, install, modify and maintain water supply, wastewater, and storm water systems including the daily operation and or maintenance of the life support systems and aquatic filtration components of varied exhibits. This person will perform maintenance related tasks, troubleshooting and diagnosing problems and determining the most effective way to correct them through knowledge, checking blueprints, repair / service manuals, parts catalogs, and research. The person in this position has the task of maintaining and improving the daily appearance and functionality of Zoo Knoxville grounds and facilities. This individual must keep the Maintenance Supervisor informed of activities, accomplishments, project status and requirements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Follow the procedures and guidelines relating to the wellbeing and care of the buildings, facilities, and equipment, including preventative maintenance programs. This includes constantly observing each of these and reporting problems or concerns to the Maintenance Supervisor.
• Follow and perform the routinely scheduled (daily and long range) operations and activities of the Maintenance Department. These include regular operations such as, but not limited to,
  • Diagnose, repair and maintenance to water supply systems, zoo-wide and located within facilities.
  • Diagnose, repair and maintenance to sanitary waste systems, zoo-wide and located within facilities.
  • Diagnose, repair and maintenance to storm water systems.
  • Diagnose and repair of other types of drainage systems.
  • Install new fixtures/components to the above systems and into new projects as built by zoo staff.
  • Preventive maintenance to safety devices to ensure their functionality.
  • Repair and maintain mechanical and plumbing equipment.
  • Diagnose and repair damaged or destroyed structures.
  • Diagnose, repair, and maintain specialize equipment and machinery.
  • A focus on water conservation and implement sustainable practices in daily tasks where possible.
• Perform required maintenance needed to run LSS operations: as required by schedule and coordinated with supervisor
  • General maintenance of life support systems
  • Clean, operate and maintain the zoo’s water features, aquatic environments, life support systems and related equipment in a safe manner and environment.
  • To check all pump rooms and inspect filters, sand filters, pumps, motors, compressors, lights, fans, ozone units, chillers, water towers and vessels, heat exchangers and all other equipment related and/or associated with Zoo Knoxville’s LSS and water feature system
  • LSS maintenance includes, but is not limited to: pump repair, filtration maintenance, exhibit cleanings, and general preventative maintenance of system equipment
  • Water quality analysis
  • Respond to emergency LSS situations and is capable of being on call when urgent issues arise
  • Basic knowledge of pool maintenance and water sanitation methods and techniques
  • Maintain daily record keeping logs and equipment maintenance logs
  • Special project as assigned
• General proficiency in the safe operation of maintenance equipment to include, but not limited to, trucks, carts, skid-steer loader, ladders, shovels, brooms, picks, power hand tools (drills, saws, grinders, cut off saws, band saws, etc.), hand tools (tape measures, screwdrivers, levels, squares, pliers, wrenches, etc.) and other types of maintenance / repair tools and equipment involved with facility maintenance. Specifically to this position, must demonstrate the ability to work with, operate, and be proficient in the following:
  • Reading blue prints and can understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
  • Read and interpret plumbing diagrams.
  • Understand routing and venting.
  • Understand different types of piping and their uses.
  • The use of plumbing equipment such as torches, saws, augers, flush units, etc...
• Maintaining the quality, appearance, cleanliness, safety, functionality and usability of the park, its grounds, buildings and facilities, and all utility systems contained within and leading to the park on a continual basis and in the most timely, efficient, economical and organized manner. This includes all public, animal, and support areas, and all interior and exterior components. Maintaining the quality of all Zoo property and resources, natural or man-made, which is undeveloped, used for purposes other than public or exhibit areas, or held in reserve for future use.
• Assistance with installation, set-up, and removal of special / temporary exhibits, special events, or other event related operations.
• Requesting and purchasing (with authorization) of supplies for the repair and completion of assigned tasks.
• Follow the procedures and guidelines regarding safety of personnel, instructing crew as assigned on these standards, and enforcing the safety standards.
• Follow operating procedures and guidelines regulating supervision, training and quality control of crew as assigned in matters such as general trade instructions (to include, but not limited to, carpentry, welding, mechanical repair, electrical, plumbing, sheet metal, HVAC, concrete forming / finishing, hydraulics, etc.), safety, care and maintenance of equipment, buildings, enclosures and utility systems, refuse management and recycling.
• Complete daily reports of activities, material / equipment use, and time management.
• Work with other Zoo departments to develop and implement a positive and educational visitor and staff experience. Provide professional quality customer service to both internal and external customers, as well as outside vendors and contractors. This includes, but not limited to, language, and work ethics.
• Demonstrate continued interest in and knowledge of advancements in the facility and equipment maintenance fields.
• Follow the procedures and guidelines regarding safety of personnel, instructing crew as assigned on those standards and enforcing the safety standards.
• Adherence to any policies set forth by Zoo Knoxville or the Maintenance Department to comply with all governmental or other regulatory agencies, including, but not limited to national, state, and local electrical and building and plumbing codes, as well as ADA standards, AZA standards, USDA (Animal and Plant Regulations), TWRA, OSHA, MOSH, EPA, DOT, etc.
• This position will require hands-on involvement. The individual assuming these responsibilities will be aware of the potential health and injury risks inherent with the operations of tools, machinery, vehicles, chemical use, heavy lifting (up to 100 pounds) and working in potentially dangerous animal and public environments.
• This individual will present a professional and neat appearance at all times. The attire will be the standard Zoo Knoxville uniform. A nametag will be worn at all times when representing this position.
• Other duties and tasks as requested or required by the Maintenance Supervisor, Operations Director, COO and CEO.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• The individual in this position must be a motivated individual and possess a technical knowledge sufficient to accomplish the described duties in an efficient, safe and proficient manner. This includes:

• Basic plumbing practices
• Basic understanding of construction, maintenance and general improvement practices
• Reading of blue prints and can understand and follow written and verbal instructions
• Read and interpret plumbing diagrams
• Understand routing and venting
• Understand different types of piping and their uses
• The use of varied plumbing equipment

• Must be able to effectively work independently and/or effectively work for or with co-employees / volunteers on a job-by-job basis in a positive, constructive, and professional manner consistent with established Maintenance Department as well as Zoo Knoxville policies and procedures.
• The ability to demonstrate and impart to staff, other employees, outside service personnel and/or contractors that cooperation and teamwork is a necessity.
• The individual should be very organized, efficient, accurate, self-motivated, and neat.
• He/she should also have legible handwriting, good communication skills in English (both oral and written), including, but not limited to, having good listening skills, good oral and written comprehension, and having good speech clarity and recognition when dealing with others and while communicating on phone, two-way radio or other forms of communication devices.
• He/she should possess the ability to react quickly, effectively and logically in high stress and/or emergency situations.
• This person must be able to make competent decisions based on experience, knowledge and/or the advice of others.
• He/she needs to have a basic working knowledge of all facilities used in support of the Zoo.
• He/she needs to have a working knowledge of all plumbing, waste and LSS systems and functions of the Zoo.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

• The individual in this position should have a minimum of three years of experience in a facility maintenance / plumbing field, a high school diploma, and have some Technical and/or trade school education in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Prior experience at an established AZA accredited zoological environment preferred.
• AALSO Operator certification
• AFO Certification
• OSHA 10 certification for General Industry preferred but not required
• The individual must possess or qualify for a valid Tennessee driver license and have a clean driving record.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
As an employee of Zoo Knoxville, you must possess English communication skills as well as the ability to communicate using a 2-way radio, email and telephone. The position hours vary depending on business needs and will require weekend and some holiday shifts. Depending on the specific tasks, this position will be required to work within close proximity of exotic and domestic animals and must be aware that there are dangers inherent in working under those conditions. Zoo Knoxville is committed to maintaining a drug free workplace and as such each employee must pass a pre-employment drug screen.