Department: Faculty of Science
Job Type: Limited Term
Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year)
Campus: Waterloo
Reports to: Manager, Animal Care Facilities
Employee Group: WLUSA
Application Deadline: 11/06/2026
Requisition ID: 11910
This job posting is for a current vacancy.
Position SummaryThe Aquatic Facilities and Animal Care Technician is responsible for the maintenance of aquatic systems and care of fish used for research and teaching at the University. Under the direction of the Manager: Animal Care Facilities, this position involves significant and varied technical activities to support the operation of aquatic systems and ensuring that optimal animal health is sustained, meeting the high standards set by accrediting provincial and national bodies.
This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Waterloo Campus. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise to all campuses, requiring regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo Campus, the Brantford Campus, and when applicable, the Milton Campus. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.
AccountabilitiesThe Aquatic Facilities and Animal Care Technician is responsible for activities associated with the operation and maintenance of aquatic facilities, fish care, and training program(s):
Facilities and Systems Management:
- Operates and maintains building recirculating systems at the Centre for Cold Regions and Water Science (CCRWS) Building;
- Oversees the maintenance of various aquatic systems at CCRWS and Science facilities;
- Maintains accurate monitoring records for aquatic systems;
- Tracks water quality parameters and anomalies daily;
- Coordinates/schedules use of shared fish housing and procedure space with researchers; Upon request, facilitates implementation of various housing and experimental designs (new system design, modify plumbing of water/airlines, housing, etc.);
- Performs risk assessment evaluations on aquatic life support systems;
- Performs health and safety inspections of aquatic facilities
Technical
- Performs and records animal health and welfare observations including Animal Welfare Assessments, quality assurance, treatment and post approval monitoring under the direction of the Manager, Animal Care Facilities;
- Performs various husbandry tasks, including but not limited to tank cleaning, feeding and water quality monitoring while following established standard operating procedures (SOPs);
- Develop and maintain an in-house zebrafish breeding program;
- Performs technical procedures when requested (e.g., injections, sampling and euthanasia), ensuring strict adherence to established SOPs;
- Orders, transports, and oversees receipt of new fish populations (following acclimation and quarantine procedures);
- Perform room maintenance (e.g., disinfection of floors and surfaces) of aquatic facilities;
- Disposes of biological materials according to safety protocols;
- Develops and modifies SOPs in relation to aquatic species and use of associated equipment
Training
- Delivers aquatic facility user training to new students and staff listed under approved protocols;
- Documents training records and tracks retraining requirements in an electronic database;
- Develops and modifies training material to ensure that modules reflect current standard practices;
Qualifications- Bachelor of Science Degree in Aquaculture, Marine Biology (or related field), or 3-year college diploma in a related field in combination with a post-graduate Aquatic Technician Diploma,
- Minimum of 6 months up to 2 years of recent experience working in an aquatic facility required;
Extensive knowledge in the operation of advance aquatic filtration and recirculation systems, including upkeep, maintenance, and repairs is strongly preferred;
- Registered Veterinary Technician certification and CALAS certification or equivalent;
- Extensive knowledge of animal ethics as required by the Canadian Council on Animal Care;
- Extensive knowledge of animal care, diseases and treatment;
- Extensive knowledge of anesthesia and euthanasia;
- Knowledge of many species of fish with regards to their husbandry and preferred environment;
- Experience using and maintaining mechanical equipment to assess water quality for fish;
- Experience in plumbing with PVC pipe and fittings would be considered an asset;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills required;
- Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills required;
- Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel;
- Previous experience in developing SOPs an asset
This position
has not been deemed eligible for Educational Equivalencies.
Hours of work: This is a full-time, limited term position with an approximate end date of April 30, 2027. The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in hours will be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to providing animal care on a daily basis and responding to emergencies outside of normal work hours. When possible, the manager will adjust the work schedule so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.
As Per Article 12.7.6 of the collective agreement, prior approval of a member's manager is required to return to their previous position upon the completion of a Limited-Term Position.
This role requires daily in person attendance and is not eligible for a flexible work arrangement as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy).
CompensationLevel: D
Rate of Pay: $39.87 to $ 42.15 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $45.57 per hour.Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.
Job Evaluation Factor Scores Job Evaluation Factors
Score
Education
3
Experience
2
Interpersonal Skills
3
Applied Reasoning and Analytical Skills
3.5
Co-ordination and Planning
3
Accountability for Others
2
Impact of Decisions
3
Mental Effort
3
Level of Physical Effort
3
Working Environment
5
Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.
