Manager, Facilities & Animal Care

ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain • Full-time • Burlington, Vermont, United States • USD $55k - USD $63k / year • 3m ago

ECHO inspires and engages families in the joy of scientific discovery, wonder of nature, and care of Lake Champlain. ECHO is a dynamic, nationally acclaimed, science center committed to engaging diverse public audiences and providing experiential, relevant and lifelong educational experiences for all our guests. ECHO employees contribute to a productive, respectful, inclusive workplace by modeling humor, communication, cultural responsiveness, collaboration and accountability to our colleagues, animals and guests.

The Senior Manager, Facilities & Animal Care is an experienced team player who will work collaboratively with the Director of Facilities & Animal Care and the Animal Care Manager to lead the Facilities & Animal Care Department. This role will plan, manage, and execute facilities and exhibit projects, daily building maintenance, and assist with custodial work to maintain and enhance the visitor experience in our 36,000 square foot, LEED-certified aquarium and science center. This manager participates in and leads department staff in providing state of the industry animal care and husbandry for ECHO's animal collection in a manner that ensures optimal health and longevity for our animal ambassadors. This manager creates, maintains and repairs animal exhibits.

Supervisory responsibility:

Supervises Custodian, and collaboratively supervises Facilities & Animal Care Specialists, and volunteers/interns.

Responsibilities include:

Evaluate long-term, short-term, and daily needs of the department and effectively prioritize work to ensure completion
Collaborate with Animal Care Manager and Director of Facilities & Animal Care to supervise the entire FAC team, including training and delegation of daily and project work.

Plan, manage, execute and/or delegate:

Installation, maintenance and repair of static, interactive, electronic, AV and all other interior and exterior exhibits.
Maintenance and repair of building mechanical systems (HVAC, plumbing, aquarium life support systems, etc.).
Troubleshooting failed mechanical systems or exhibits and conferring with other facilities staff to establish best means of repair.
Maintenance of exterior areas including parking lot, walkways, trash area and planted areas: deicing, snow removal, mowing, planter bed maintenance, landscape work.
Maintenance of interior and exterior of building and adjacent areas: roofing, painting, floor repairs, plumbing, lighting, signage install and repair; masonry repair, concrete work, etc.

Plan, manage, execute and/or delegate:

Daily cleaning of guest, staff and service areas: dusting, mopping, sweeping, scrubbing, window cleaning, trash removal, bathroom cleaning.
Periodic deep cleaning utilizing carpet extractor and floor burnisher.
Collect and transfer trash/recyclables to appropriate bulk storage or disposal containers.
Maintain/stock paper products, solvents, cleansers, hand cleansers, etc. as needed.
Maintain/stock spare, backup motors, lighting, hardware, etc. as needed to allow for timely exhibit and building repairs.
Power washing terraces and building
Respond to requests for emergency custodial needs in a timely manner.

Plan, manage, execute and/or delegate (in collaboration with Animal Care Manager):

Water quality testing and implementation of measures to maintain optimal water quality in animal enclosures.
Specimen capture, collection and transportation, quarantine and introduction to displays or holding quarters.
Thorough and accurate record-keeping on daily implementation of animal care, animal health, veterinary care, acquisitions and dispositions, and equipment status.
Maintain equipment including life support systems, exhibits and all other equipment utilized in maintaining animal habitats and animal health.
Development and delivery of educational programs.
Design and installation and repair of exhibit habitats.
Evaluation and support of internship requirements.
Job shadows, interviews and presentations to participating high school students doing personal learning projects.

Communicate and collaborate effectively with other departments regarding facilities and animal care work, when necessary.
Research and purchase replacement parts and equipment and secure best prices.
Monitor and be able to make needed changes in building mechanical software (WebCTRL) and building lighting software (Keeper Enterprise) to optimize system functions and minimize resource consumption.
Assist in developing and managing departmental budget.
Other duties and special projects assigned as needed.

Requirements:

- Bachelor's Degree required
- 1-3 years experience in building/mechanical systems maintenance or related work
- 1+ years of supervisory experience
- 1+ years experience in related animal care including work/knowledge of habitat work and life support systems
- Experience and demonstrated ability in captive care of reptiles, amphibians or fish.
- Experience and demonstrated ability with building control software.
- Experience and demonstrated ability in building and exhibit repairs.
- Knowledge of and respect for job safety rules and regulations.
- Valid Driver's License

Essential Skills:

- Manage troubleshooting, maintenance and repair of LEED Certified Building and equipment.
- Manage troubleshooting, maintenance and repair in light carpentry, plumbing, minor electrical, building and equipment maintenance.
- Able to read, interpret and manipulate building maintenance and lighting control software, or capacity to learn.
- Able to read construction documents/blueprints, or capacity to learn.
- Supervisory skills to include assign, assess and evaluate task completions to strategically supervise departmental staff in a timely, responsive manner.
- Responsive multitasker comfortable working in a fast paced environment.
- Excellent communication with staff from other departments (Education, Guest Services, Marketing, Finance).
- Able to set priorities, problem solve and facilitate sound decision making.
- Flexible, adaptive and responsive to visitor needs and able to assist team members in providing quality customer service.
- Demonstrate ECHO's core values of Accountability, Communication, Collaboration, Humor, Cultural Responsiveness.
- Open and able to learn, grow and develop skills essential to their position, including but not limited to using related equipment, vehicles and tools.
- Able to perform strenuous work and lift and/or move at least 50 pounds on a regular basis and occasionally more than 100 pounds.