Aquatics Technical Specialist

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page .

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Department/Position Summary

Science Animal Support Services (SASS) supports 20 researchers in over 60 protocols involving aquatic species. The main life support system encompasses four carbon filter tanks, multiple chlorine, pH and temperature probes, three water reservoirs as well as multiple chillers, pumps and heat exchangers integrated with central control monitoring (this currently houses trout, goldfish, carp, minnows and grayling). The facility also includes eight separate stand-alone housing systems, which includes approximately 30 racks housing over 60,000 aquatic animals (currently housing zebrafish). As well, we have a unique biocontainment system that will be certified with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and will require daily oversight, maintenance and upkeep. 

The Aquatics Technical Specialist will be responsible for maintaining the aquatic life support systems and providing daily care to aquatic animals in accordance with national and provincial requirements and guidelines. Under the direction of the Operations Supervisor, this position provides significant and varied technical activities to support the operation of aquatic systems. This position is critical to ensure consistency of animal care for animal welfare, high quality of research and reproducible research results.

Duties

• Ensure proper functioning of flow-through and recirculating aquatic systems and equipment.
• Perform regular (daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly) maintenance of facilities, including minor repairs, report major facility problems and oversee repairs by contractors.
• Facilitate, design and/or modify animal holding and experimental facilities to suit specific animal housing or experimental needs (plumbing of water/airlines, tank setup, rack configuration, etc).
• Monitor life-support and climate controls, and ensure optimum and continuous operation of all facility housing racks including specific alarm systems with probes and sensors.
• Oversee the setup, operation and maintenance of the aquatic biocontainment (AQC2) room, tanks and water treatment systems to meet CFIA requirements.
• Perform risk assessment evaluations on aquatic life support systems.
• Participate in the Standby emergency alarm response on a call-back basis after completing training period.
• Assist Animal Technicians with covering aquatic animal husbandry duties, which may include feeding, tank cleaning, room cleaning, daily health assessments, monitoring water quality and all associated duties necessary to maintain the facility in compliance with the CCAC guidelines.
• Assist with the development of record keeping data sheets, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and update of equipment operation and maintenance manuals.
• Maintain operational, maintenance, disinfection and husbandry records.
• Participate in round table meetings related to the maintenance and operations of the facility.

Required Qualifications

• An applicable post-secondary qualification (Examples include: B.Sc. in Biological or Environmental Sciences focused on aquaculture/fish/wildlife OR technical training in plumbing/electrical/mechanical/aquaculture systems).
• Able to identify critical control points, provide and install appropriate safeguards and monitoring, implement solutions for a variety of systems and needs.
• Ability to read, understand and implement technical documentation, and to prepare such documentation in standard operating procedure (SOP) format.
• Strong work ethic, well-organized, good initiative, ability to work independently, excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, good written and oral communication.
• Physical strength and full mobility required. Work activities may involve handling loads between 10 and 20 kg regularly. Must be able to lift and carry 20 kg.

Desirable Qualifications

• Training, knowledge and proficiency in plumbing with PVC pipes and fittings, aquatic mechanical systems, bio-filters and/or general laboratory equipment and maintenance thereof.
• Familiarity with aquatic life support systems including flow-through, recirculating rack systems (Examples include: Tecniplast ZebTECH).
• Experience in an aquaculture, aquatic research or related field.
• Proficiency in handling of aquatic organisms.
• Knowledge of fish health requirements and disease prevention
• Knowledge and experience with WHMIS, chemical safety, biosafety, lab safety and hazardous waste management.
• CALAS certification, the equivalent, or openness for pursuing this.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.