Aquatic Facilities and Animal Care Technician

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 recent students and staff listed under approved protocols;
- Documents training records and tracks retraining requirements in an electronic database;
- Develops and modifies training material

📌 Aquatic Facilities and Animal Care Technician (London)
🏢 Wilfrid Laurier University
📍 London