Life Support Manager in Draper, Utah at The Living Planet Aquarium
NewJob Function: Admin/Clerical/Secretarial
The Living Planet Aquarium
Draper, Utah, 84020-9414, United States
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Job Description
Position: Life Support ManagerReports To: Vice President of Zoological Operations Why Utah? Utah is home to five national parks, world-class skiing and snowboarding, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, and stunning deserts, mountains, and lakes, all within easy driving distance. Outdoor adventure is part of everyday life. The Salt Lake Valley consistently ranks high for safety, clean communities, short commute times, and family-friendly amenities. Draper offers a balance of suburban comfort and urban access, with downtown Salt Lake City just 15 minutes away. Enjoy all four seasons without extremes—sunny summers, colorful falls, snowy winters, and mild springs, perfect for both outdoor recreation and city living. Utah’s communities are known for being engaged, supportive, and service-oriented, making it easy for newcomers to feel at home. About Loveland Living Planet Aquarium: Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (LLPA) is a mission-driven institution dedicated to inspiring people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems. Founded in 1997, the Aquarium provides impactful educational experiences for guests of all ages and backgrounds.Since opening its Draper, Utah facility in 2014, LLPA has welcomed more than 10 million visitors and delivered over 650,000 educational experiences to students. Home to over 4,000 animals representing 650 species, the Aquarium features immersive habitats from around the world, including coral reefs, kelp forests, the deep ocean, Antarctic waters, tropical rainforests, Asian cloud forests, and Utah’s freshwater ecosystems.Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2019, LLPA is in an exciting phase of growth. With the opening of the Sam and Aline Skaggs Science Learning Center, the Aquarium became the largest in the Mountain West and the fifth largest aquarium in the continental United States, offering expanded opportunities for education, research, and professional impact. Position Summary:The Life Support Systems Manager leads the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and development of the Aquarium's life support systems and environmental infrastructure. This position is responsible for the leadership and development of the Life Support Systems team and ensures reliable operation of systems critical to animal health, environmental quality, and habitat integrity. The Manager works collaboratively with animal care, veterinary, facilities, and other Zoo Operations teams to support existing habitats, infrastructure improvements, and the development of new exhibits and systems. Qualifications:
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
- Two (2)- or four (4)-year degree in a relevant technical, engineering, biological, or environmental field preferred. Candidates with an equivalent combination of education, technical training, and professional experience will be considered. Five (5) or more years of professional experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, or designing aquatic life support systems or comparable water-treatment infrastructure. Two (2) to three (3) years of supervisory or team-leadership experience preferred. Experience supporting complex aquatic systems within a public aquarium, zoological institution, aquaculture operation, water-treatment facility, or comparable environment preferred.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
- Valid Utah driver's license or ability to obtain one within six (6) months of hire.
- Relevant technical, water-treatment, electrical, plumbing, controls, or aquatic life-support certifications preferred.
- Demonstrated expertise in aquatic life support systems, including pumps, filtration, plumbing, water treatment, and disinfection technologies.
- Strong understanding of water chemistry, environmental monitoring, and the relationship between system performance and animal health.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills; working knowledge of electrical systems, controls, HVAC, welding, fabrication, or related technical disciplines is beneficial.
- Proven leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to develop staff, establish priorities, and foster a collaborative, safety-focused team culture.
- Demonstrated project-management and administrative skills, including budgeting, procurement, resource planning, project development, and prioritization.
- Strong understanding of workplace safety, risk management, and safe operation of tools, machinery, chemicals, and technical infrastructure.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across animal care, veterinary, facilities, engineering, and other institutional teams.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to preventive maintenance, system reliability, and continuous improvement.
- Lead and develop the Life Support Systems team through effective scheduling, resource allocation, coaching, performance management, cross-training, and staff development.
- Responsible for all aspects of the LSS team's Core Job responsibilities, including operation, inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and repair of life support equipment, infrastructure, supplies, and associated support spaces.
- Ensure appropriate management of aquarium water resources and environmental systems, including water treatment, synthetic seawater production, filtration, disinfection, monitoring, testing, and maintenance of environmental parameters necessary to support the living collection.
- Ensure effective preventive maintenance, inspection, documentation, and asset-management practices that promote system reliability, identify emerging problems, and support proactive repair and replacement of critical infrastructure.
- Lead planning and execution of life support projects, system upgrades, and new installations, collaborating with animal care, veterinary, facilities, engineering, and other institutional partners to support animal care, exhibit, and organizational goals.
- Ensure appropriate emergency preparedness and response for life support failures that may affect animal health, environmental quality, or habitat integrity, including after-hours coverage, contingency planning, and coordination with other Zoo Operations teams.
- Maintain departmental standards for operational safety, regulatory compliance, records, SOPs, inspections, and best practices, including appropriate implementation of OSHA requirements and institutional safety programs.
- Oversee departmental administration and long-term planning, including budgeting, procurement, project prioritization, equipment replacement, resource planning, and continuous improvement of Life Support Systems operations.
- Work is performed throughout aquarium habitats, mechanical spaces, support areas, and outdoor environments and may include hot, cold, humid, wet, noisy, elevated, or confined working conditions. Ability to sit, stand, climb, swim, work on ladders and elevated platforms, and lift or carry intermittent weights of up to 50 pounds. Work may involve chemicals, power tools, heavy machinery, Aquarium vehicles, electrical and mechanical equipment, and active life support systems. This is a salaried position responsible for ensuring appropriate after-hours emergency response, weekend, and holiday coverage for Life Support Systems operations.
- Comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus optional FSA/HSA accounts
- Paid time off & 12 paid holidays per year
- Paid bereavement leave and paid new child leave (birth, adoption, or placement)
- Employer-paid short-term disability; optional long-term disability coverage
- Convenient onsite childcare (employees pay approximately 20% of the cost)
While this job description attempts to describe the essential functions of the position, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. It does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities to this job at any time. The overall work environment while performing this job includes exposure to weather conditions and the noise level is usually moderate. The employee is expected to adhere to all policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to the policies. The Living Planet Aquarium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or military status. The Living Planet Aquarium is committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application and interview process. Should you require accommodations, please contact accommodation@livingplanetaquarium.org.
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Job Location
Draper, Utah, 84020-9414, United States
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