NorCal Aquarium and Wildlife Adventures
Be the System Behind Every Thriving Habitat
Every exhibit, every animal, every guest experience—none of it works without you.
At NorCal Aquarium and Wildlife Adventures, our Senior Life Support Systems Technician is the backbone of the entire operation, ensuring that every aquatic and terrestrial environment is stable, safe, and optimized for animal health.
This is not just a maintenance role—this is systems ownership, problem-solving, and leadership at a high level. You’ll be trusted to keep critical systems running, lead a team, and directly impact animal welfare every single day.
If you’re highly technical, solutions-driven, and take pride in keeping complex systems running at their best, this is your opportunity to step into a role where your expertise truly matters.
What You’ll Own:
Life Support Systems Leadership:
- Oversee the daily operation, maintenance, and repair of all life support systems (LSS)
- Manage filtration systems, water quality control, plumbing, mechanical systems, and environmental regulation (temperature/humidity)
- Ensure systems are running efficiently, proactively identifying and resolving issues before they impact animals
- Conduct routine inspections and preventive maintenance to minimize downtime
- Lead troubleshooting efforts and coordinate repairs, upgrades, and system improvements
Environmental & Animal Impact:
- Partner closely with the Senior Environmental Quality Keeper to maintain stable, species-appropriate conditions
- Ensure LSS performance directly supports animal health, behavior, and welfare
- Minimize disruptions to habitats during maintenance or system adjustments
- Play a key role in maintaining high standards across all exhibits
Team Leadership & Development:
- Lead, train, and mentor a team supporting LSS and animal care operations
- Assign priorities, ensure accountability, and reinforce adherence to SOPs and safety protocols
- Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented team environment
- Develop team capability and technical skill sets over time
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Work closely with Curators, Husbandry teams, and Guest Services to align operations
- Support exhibit builds, upgrades, and new system installations
- Communicate system status, risks, and improvements clearly to leadership
- Contribute ideas that improve efficiency, reliability, and overall facility performance
What You Bring:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, or related field (or equivalent hands-on experience)
- 2+ years of experience in aquariums, zoos, or similar facilities with a focus on life support systems
- Strong working knowledge of water chemistry, filtration systems, and aquatic environments
- Proven experience in maintaining and troubleshooting complex LSS systems
- Leadership experience with the ability to guide, train, and hold a team accountable
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to respond quickly under pressure
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Preferred:
- SCUBA certification
- Experience with exhibit design, system builds, or large-scale facility operations
- Familiarity with regulatory standards and inspections related to animal care and systems
What Success Looks Like?
- Life support systems run reliably, efficiently, and proactively—not reactively
- Environmental stability is maintained across all habitats
- System downtime is minimal and quickly resolved
- Your team is trained, confident, and executing at a high level
- You are seen as the go-to expert for all things LSS
Work Environment:
- Hands-on, physically active role working with mechanical systems, water, and equipment
- Exposure to varying temperatures, humidity, and environmental conditions
- Requires flexibility, including weekends, holidays, and emergency response when needed
Why This Role Matters?
- You are directly responsible for the systems that keep animals alive and thriving
- Your expertise drives animal welfare, exhibit quality, and operational success
- You play a critical leadership role in a growing, mission-driven facility
- Every improvement you make has a visible, meaningful impact