Applications are being accepted for a full-time Life Support Systems Coordinator to join the Fort Wayne Zoo team. This is a full-time position requiring availability for a 40-hour work week year-round. Full-time benefits include Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, 403b Plan, 403b Matching, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Days Off, Paid Holidays, Paid Health & Wellness Days, and Paid Parental Leave as well as optional Dental, Vision, Life, and Pet Insurance Programs. All team members receive Team Member Perks such as a free Staff Membership, concessions and retail discounts, development opportunities, and appreciation programs.
Application Deadline: May 6, 2026
- The Life Support Systems Coordinator is responsible for general and preventative life support system maintenance needs for the Zoo, as well as other installation, repair, and plumbing projects as needed.
- This position also understands and supports filtration and water quality testing in relation to life support systems.
- This position also strives to embody the Zoo’s values at all times, contributes to positive guest experiences, and performs other duties as required.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Performs inspections of all life support equipment for preventative maintenance, routine upkeep, and repair of all facility life support system components.
- Participates in the design of new and modified life support systems.
- Helps to rebuild pumps, bearing motors, and impeller assembles.
- Performs plumbing installation and repair on life support systems.
- Performs necessary maintenance tasks for life support systems as needed.
- Completes general and preventative maintenance tasks as assigned.
- Helps coordinate or performs preventative maintenance work on all components of ozone systems, including ozone generators, ambient ozone analyzers and compressors, alarm systems, and pumps.
- Assists with updating documentation pertaining to life support systems including SOPs, checklists, and policies.
- Assists with filtration operation including back washing, media replacement, ozone adjustment, compressor servicing, and adjustments.
- Works with the Environmental Quality Technician to troubleshoot water quality issues.
- Records all changes, treatments, or repairs performed.
- Attends and contributes to regular cross department life support system update meetings
- Maintains thorough knowledge of essential equipment, software, and hardware used; adheres to Standard Operating Procedures.
- Ensures compliance to all state and federal regulations, Zoo policies, industry standards, and department procedures.
- Maintains the highest level of cleanliness in public and behind the scenes areas, including buildings, pathways, storage areas, and warehouses/garages.
- Performs basic office administrative duties such as filing, answering phone calls, and assisting the public.
- Supports the Zoo’s commitment to continued growth of diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging for team members, volunteers, guests, and supporters.
- Assists with special projects and helps other team members as needed.
- Actively contributes to positive guest experiences.
Education and Experience
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following education and/or experience.
- High school diploma or GED is required.
- Valid driver’s license is required.
- Aquatic Animal Life Support Operator (AALSO) Level 1, and/or Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO)certification is required within one year of hire. Certification must be maintained throughout employment.
- Three years of life support maintenance, electrical, and plumbing experience is preferred.
- Previous experience with ozone generation, safety, and handling is preferred.
- Previous experience with ZIMS preferred.
- Dive certification is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to manage the operations of all life support systems at the Zoo.
- Ability to operate heavy machinery/equipment such as forklift, skid steer, etc.
- Ability to perform standard and preventative maintenance on all life support equipment.
- Ability to understand water chemistry reports and their relationship to life support systems.
- Ability to perform water chemistries poolside and in a laboratory setting with appropriate accuracy and safety.
- Ability to prepare work plans using blue prints, sketches, schematics, and digital models.
- Understanding of plumbing mechanics and small motor repairs.
- Ability to read and communicate user manuals, plans, shop drawings, specifications, digital models, and written and verbal instructions.
- Ability to professionally and effectively communicate with others through written correspondence.
- Ability to troubleshoot, analyze situations, and make sound business decisions.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office software and ability to learn new software systems.
- Ability to work a highly flexible schedule as required to successfully perform the requirements and functions of the position, including required weekend, evening, holiday, and irregular hours.
- Ability to handle confidential information.
- Ability to understand and follow all safety regulations.
- Ability to track and manage multiple tasks and priorities.
- Ability to arrive at work when scheduled and maintain a positive attendance record.
- Ability to serve as a goodwill ambassador, in every respect and at all times, for the Fort Wayne Zoological Society and the Fort Wayne Zoo in contacts with guests, partners, and the community.
- Ability to deal tactfully and politely with guest questions and misbehavior.
- Excellent communication skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with team members, volunteers, partners, and the community.
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.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to safely wear and use safety equipment (i.e. respiratory equipment).
- Ability to properly operate equipment such as general maintenance tools (including but not limited to: drills, screw drivers, hammers, saws, levels, and wrenches), high reaches, fork lifts, skid steers (Bobcat), and other small engine equipment.
- Ability to work with chemicals including acids, chlorine, and ozone.
- Ability to operate office equipment, including computers, copiers, fax machines, and phones.
- Ability to professionally and appropriately interact and communicate with others, both in person and through phone, email, and written correspondence.
- Ability to regularly travel assigned areas several times per day and efficiently enter all assigned areas.
- Ability to negotiate a confined workspace while working with one or more coworkers.
- Ability to read reports, receipts, and other statements.
- Ability to properly lift and carry items up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to stand and sit for periods of time and to move intermittently throughout the workday.
- Ability to perform focused work with close attention to detail.
- Ability to work both indoors and outdoors, with exposure to extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions; the environment may include wet, icy, or muddy conditions.
- This position may include exposure to hazardous materials, fumes/odors, dirt, and dust; potentially dangerous or venomous animals; zoonotic diseases; noxious native plants; and native biting insects and arthropods.
- This description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position.
- It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.
