Organization: Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre
Location: Sidney, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
The Organization
The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre (soon to be renamed the Shaw Centre for the
Salish Sea), located on the beautiful waterfront of the Salish Sea in Sidney,
BC, is a registered charitable organization and community leader in science and
cultural learning. Connecting the public with the Salish Sea Bioregion and its
ecosystems through engagement, knowledge and awareness, the Centre offers an
interactive and informative experience to young and old – welcoming 80,000
visitors a year. It is the only aquarium and cultural centre on Vancouver
Island dedicated exclusively to the Salish Sea. Over 3,500 animals in their
natural habitats – wolf eels, sea stars, salmon, and a giant pacific octopus
make up over 160 species offering a real life, face-to-face learning experience.
Operated by the volunteer Board of the New Marine Centre Society, the Centre is
managed by an Executive Director and a team of highly dedicated staff of 18 and
over 100 volunteers. As a not-for-profit organization, the Centre relies on
community support through visitors, donors and key community partners including
the Town of Sidney, Shaw Communications, Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa, Marker
Group, W?SÁNE? First Nations, and Government of Canada.
MISSION: Our mission is to create experiences that engage people to learn
about, explore and conserve the Salish Sea Bioregion – its wildlife, waters,
land, culture, and people.
VISION: Our vision is for a healthy and sustainable Salish Sea Bioregion.
THE SALISH SEA: A globally important and diverse bioregion consisting of the
inland sea and surrounding coastal lands and watersheds of British Columbia and
Washington State. Named for its original habitants, the Coast Salish Indigenous
Peoples, this is a place of significant heritage and culture. The Salish Sea Bioregion
is where the deep Pacific Ocean meets the nutrient laden waters of the Coast
Mountains creating rich ecosystems supporting substantial but precarious animal
and plant life like the Southern Resident Orca, Pacific Salmon, the Bald Eagle,
and the Grizzly Bear.
Working Relationships
The Systems Technician reports directly to the Deputy Director – Chief
Aquarist, and has a hands-on multifaceted role which requires unsupervised work
as well as team work. On occasion, the maintenance technician will schedule and
supervise the work of specialized trades or contractors in the building.
Working Style
Due to the size of the facility (10,000 sq ft), each team member must be a
self-starter who accepts and welcomes the need to be proactive and hands-on to
support the delivery of all aspects of our visitor experiences. The ability to
set priorities with the Deputy Director – Chief Aquarist and then deliver
results on time with minimal need for directsupervision is essential. A
priority for animal health in meeting our mission is also essential.
Hours
This is a part-time position, 20 hours per week, plus routine emergency on-call
duty for the internal systems (alarmed). Additional hours may be scheduled
based on the needs of the Centre. The Deputy Director -Chief Aquarist, in
consultation with the employee, will set the schedule. The on-call schedule
will be shared with the aquarist; 14 days on, 7 days off. Evenings from 6pm to
7am and full weekends when on call.
Primary Objectives
The technician upholds high standards of maintenance, cleanliness and safety
for all life support systems, equipment, visitor and work spaces in the Shaw
Ocean Discovery Centre. The Systems Technician responds appropriately to
routine maintenance, as well as to emergencies, works in accordance with
health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations, and approved
policies. The Systems Technician takes pride in work quality, workspace
organization, and personal appearance.
Systems Technician Duties
• Supports the work of the husbandry team to keep the animal collection healthy
and safe
• Performs complex and routine maintenance tasks related to aquarium life
support and building operating systems including sand filter maintenance, pump
maintenance, and system monitoring.
• Makes certain that the building and all systems are maintained and operated
in a manner that provides a safe work environment for staff, volunteers, and
visitors
• Troubleshooting and preventative maintenance services for:
• Animal life support systems
• Ventilation and heating/cooling (HVAC) systems
• Cleaning of electrical controllers (Electrical work by others)
• Cleaning and servicing audio/visual and other electronic equipment desirable
• Minor plumbing repairs
• Minor building repairs
• Door and entrance elevator systems
• Fire, security and safety systems
• Schedules and supervising the work of specialized contractors
• Keeps a supply and inventory of replacement parts and especially critical
backup system parts
• Makes certain that maintenance and operational records are complete and
accurate
• Provide emergency response service in the event power failures or life
support systems alarms
Custodial Duties
• Sweeps, mops floors; washes walls and windows, vacuums, dusts and performs
other cleaning duties
• Dusts desks, woodwork, furniture and other equipment
• Cleans and mops washrooms and Replaces soap, paper towels, light bulbs
• Empties wastebaskets and collects and disposes of refuse
• Manages inventory of cleaning products
• Cleans staff kitchen surfaces and equipment
• Makes minor repairs to furniture, electrical fixtures, windows and shades,
locks, faucets, and other equipment
• Performs some grounds keeping activities such as clearing snow, removing
litter and debris
• Operates power tools, cleaning equipment, and other related equipment
• Performs a variety of errands related to maintenance/custodial tasks
• Other duties as assigned
• (A janitorial contractor does daily after hours cleaning)
Qualifications
• Demonstrated experience in facility systems maintenance and plumbing
• Experience may include a millwright, equipment service technician, building
systems maintenance, construction experience
• Aquarium experience an asset
• Clean driver’s abstract
• First Aid certification (Occupational First Aid preferred)
• WHMIS experience an asset
Skills
• Hands-on multi-tasker, proven ability to be ingenious, ‘handy’, resourceful,
conscientious, and very thorough
• Evidence of being able to pick up knowledge quickly through hands-on
experience
• Ability to work independently or as part of a small team
• Customer service experience desirable
• Strong communications skills, written, spoken, listening
• Computer skills includes Microsoft office preferred
How to Apply
Email cover letter and resume in a single PDF file to Paula Romagosa, Deputy
Director & Chief Aquarist:
aqua2@oceandiscovery.ca
Deadline for this position is April 15th, 2016. Interviews may start before the
closing date. Only suitable candidates will be contacted. Preference will be
given to candidates that live within 30 minutes of the Centre.