Aquatic Facilities and Animal Care Technician

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 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

This job posting is for a current vacancy.

Position Summary

The 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.

Accountabilities

The 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).

Compensation

Level: 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 

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.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact People and Culture. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.

Please note, when pre-screening questions are used as part of the application process, AI is utilized to score responses. All other aspects of the hiring process are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team.