Life Support Operator
: Job Details :

Salary : $59,363.20 - $82,888.00 AnnuallyLocation : Saint Paul, MNJob Type: Full TimeJob Number: 25-01368ODepartment: Parks and RecreationOpening Date: 07/22/2025Closing Date: 8/11/2025 11:59 PM Central About the PositionJoin the Team that Keeps Como's Aquatic Life Thriving!The City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department is hiring a Life Support Operator to help ensure the health and safety of aquatic life at Como Zoo and Conservatory. This essential role is responsible for the daily operation, inspection, maintenance, and monitoring of complex life support systems that sustain aquatic exhibits and animal habitats.Please note: This position is currently 32 hours per week, with the potential to increase to 40 hours per week in the future based on department needs and funding.Here's what you can expect to do:

• Operate, maintain, and monitor advanced life support systems including pumps, ozone generators, filtration units, and chillers.
• Perform daily water quality testing and coordinate with laboratory staff to ensure proper chemical balance and animal health.
• Troubleshoot and repair system issues and equipment malfunctions to prevent disruptions to animal habitats.
• Conduct routine preventative maintenance and system inspections to ensure consistent, high-quality operation.
• Maintain accurate records of water testing, system performance, and maintenance activities.

For more information and essential functions, see our job description.Location and Schedule:This position is based at Como Zoo and Conservatory in Saint Paul. The standard schedule is 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with regular Saturday shifts required. Schedule may vary depending on operational needs.Our Benefits: We offer competitive wages, and a variety of , including health insurance, retirement contributions and paid vacation and sick time. Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: The City of Saint Paul is dedicated to dismantling systemic racial, cultural, and economic barriers that prevent people from fully enjoying and participating in our community and ensuring fairness in opportunities and outcomes for all individuals. At the City of Saint Paul, we want our workforce to reflect the diverse city that we serve. Our leaders are guided by an unapologetic equity agenda, which promotes the belief that true equity is building a city that works for all of us.We encourage you to apply as we are most interested in finding the best candidate for this job. Position Requirements

• A Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Chemistry, Zoology, Engineering, Physics, or a related field, and
• Three or more years of experience with life support systems, current within the last five years. Experience must include the majority of the following: operating, maintaining, and building life support systems for marine and freshwater systems, experience with pumps, filters, fractionators, UV sterilizers, heat exchangers, ozone systems, and automated control equipment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Minnesota Class D Driver's License or equivalent out-of-state driver's license.
• Must possess Scuba Certification by the end of the six-month probationary period.

Preferred Qualification:Experience working in an AZA accredited institution.A combination of education and experience to equal 7 years or more can be used to qualify for the position. How to Apply

Submit a City of Saint Paul online application by the closing date.

Upload or submit the following document via the online application system. (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.)

• A resume

First time applying online? Read our Need technical support? For help with the online application, please call 1-855-###-####. Learn more about our Hiring ProcessAssessment: Qualifications RatingThe Qualifications Rating is an assessment of your completed application and answers to the Supplemental Questionnaire. Be as specific and detailed as possible in completing your application and questionnaire. You must submit your completed application and supplemental questionnaire by the application deadline.Eligible Lists Created from Open Job Posting: You must receive a score of 75% or higher to pass the assessment and be considered for the position. Non-promotion eligible lists typically are pass/fail and promotion eligible lists are typically ranked. If the open eligible list created contains a veteran, one open list will exist. When there are no veterans remaining on the eligible list (i.e. hired, withdrawn) from an open list that also contains promotional candidates, two lists will be created: one open list and one promotion list. If two lists exist, the promotion list must be exhausted before the open list is considered. Final Selection Process: Those who pass will be placed on an eligible list for approximately six months and all will be notified of their status. A Hiring Manager will consider those applicants eligible for hire. You will be notified if you are invited to participate in the final selection process which may include an interview, job simulation, work sample submission, or other evaluation method. Pre-Employment Screening: This position requires a medical examination, driver's license check, and a background check which may include criminal history, and employment history as a condition of employment. Candidates will be required to submit proof of education to Human Resources upon conditional job offer, if qualifying based on education.Human Resources Contact Information: Michelle LeBow at 651-###-####Email: The City of Saint Paul encourages individuals to apply for positions regardless of criminal history. Veteran's Preference: If you are a veteran and would like to receive Veteran's preference in accordance with MN Statute 197.455, you must submit a photocopy of your DD214 preferably at time of application. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Saint Paul is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Veterans, women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.The City of Saint Paul offers a competitive benefits package for permanent, certified positions. Temporary positions are not eligible for benefits.Benefits vary with each position and the collective bargaining agreement. Benefits may include:City Paid Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Vacation/Holidays
• Sick Leave
• Life Insurance
• Subsidized Metro Bus Pass
• Deferred Compensation
• Retirement Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Disability Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Long Term Care Insurance

For a detailed overview, visit 01 The thorough completion of the supplemental questions is very important in the screening and assessment processes. Therefore, a lack of detail and explanation in the supplemental questions and in your application, may result in failure or disqualification for this position. In addition, documentation of work experience referred to in the supplemental questions must be included in the application. Your education, training, and experience are subject to verification.I understand that giving false information, failure to accurately represent myself, or not providing required documentation as listed on the job announcement will result in disqualification from this position.

• Yes

02 Do you possess a valid Minnesota Driver's License or an equivalent out-of-state Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

03 Which of the following represents your highest level of completed education?

• High School diploma or GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• None

04 Which BEST describes your experience with aquatic life support systems?

• Less than two years
• At least two years, but less than three years
• Three or more years
• None of the above

05 Please describe your experience with the operation, maintenance, and construction of life support systems for marine and freshwater environments. In your response, include the size and scale of the equipment you've worked with, such as system volume and type of filtration or treatment components. Be sure to specify your role, years of experience, and level of responsibility in each setting. 06 In detail, describe your experience with water testing, analysis, monitoring, and treatment. What steps or methods do you take to ensure water quality standards are met? 07 In detail, describe your experience maintaining aquatic animal life support systems to include: inspections, preventative maintenance and/or repair of aquatic filtration systems, ozone generation systems, pumps, and valves. 08 I understand that this position will require a SCUBA certification within 6 months of appointment.

• Yes

09 RECRUITMENT: How did you first find your way to our website to apply for this position? (check all that apply)

• City of Saint Paul website
• City of Saint Paul employee
• City of Saint Paul job interest card
• City of Saint Paul walk-in
• City of Saint Paul Posted! newsletter
• City of Saint Paul Gov.Delivery notifications
• Friend or family member
• League of Minnesota Cities website
• Governmentjobs.com website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• X (formerly known as Twitter)
• Indeed.com website
• ZipRecruiter
• Pollen website
• MinnesotaWorks.net
• College or University
• Community organization
• Job fair
• Professional association
• Saint Paul Elevate Session
• People of Color Career Fair
• Other

10 RECRUITMENT: If not indicated above, please specify where you heard about the position (e.g., specific organization/website name, City of Saint Paul employee name). 11 I am currently a Right Track Worker or have been employed by the City of Saint Paul as a Right Track Worker in the past.

• Yes
• No

Required Question