Marine Aquarist

GoodWork.ca; Duncan; On-site; CAD 34,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre in Cowichan Bay is seeking a Marine Aquarist to oversee care, lifestyle husbandry, and life-support systems for a diverse touch-tank collection, balancing meticulous biological needs with filtration maintenance.

This contract role offers flexible scheduling, about 10–15 hours per month, with compensation of $25–$30 per hour. On-site work, regular MD coordination, and support for education programs through living exhibits.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; coursework in Marine Biology, Aquaculture, Zoology, or Environmental studies is a major asset.
• Minimum 1–2 years of hands-on experience maintaining marine/reef aquariums (commercial facility, public exhibit, or advanced private husbandry).
• Strong communication skills.
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.
• Friendly, energetic, adaptable, and organized.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the Centre’s freshwater and saltwater aquaria, including animal husbandry, cleaning, fixing broken or damaged parts, troubleshooting problems, and developing and implementing efficient protocols and practices.
• Upgrading equipment as needed in cooperation with the Centre’s Managing Director and approved budget.
• Communicating regularly with the Centre’s Managing Director, and as needed with the community, local stakeholders, and government (DFO) and outside agencies.
• Collecting specimens to restock aquaria as required.
• Sourcing and ordering of foods and supplies ensuring healthy animal specimens with the highest possible quality of life for the duration of their time in the Touch Tank, in collaboration with the Society's executive director.

Skills

Marine husbandry

Aquarium maintenance

Public communication

Independent worker

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma

Marine Biology coursework

Job description

Aquariums, Aquarist jobs

Position: Marine Aquarist

Organization: Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre

Location: Cowichan Bay, near Duncan BC

About The Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre

The Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre (CENC) is located in Cowichan Bay on the unceded territory of the Quw'utsun People, Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre is committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and respectful workplace that reflects the community we serve. We value the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions of every individual and strive to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and respected. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and lived experiences who share our commitment to estuary stewardship.

Position Overview

Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre is looking for a Marine Aquarist to oversee the care, lifestyle husbandry, and life support systems of a diverse collection of marine animals in our touch tank. The touch tank is central to our education programs. This role requires an adaptable professional who can manage entire closed-loop ecosystems independently. We are looking for someone who can balance meticulous biological husbandry and mechanical maintenance of filtration systems.

Terms

This contract role offers the ability to set your own schedule, while maintaing the needs of the animals, The salary range is $25 - $30 per hour based on education and experience. The Contractor will deliver services at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre. The estimated time for this area of work is generally 10 - 15 hours per month and may vary from month to month based on the system's needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain the Centre’s freshwater and saltwater aquaria, including animal husbandry, cleaning, fixing broken or damaged parts, troubleshooting problems, and developing and implementing efficient protocols and practices.
• Upgrading equipment as needed in cooperation with the Centre’s Managing Director and approved budget.
• Communicating regularly with the Centre’s Managing Director, and as needed with the community, local stakeholders, and government (DFO) and outside agencies.
• Collecting specimens to restock aquaria as required.
• Sourcing and ordering of foods and supplies ensuring healthy animal specimens with the highest possible quality of life for the duration of their time in the Touch Tank, in collaboration with the Society's executive director.

Emergency Call out

In the event of an aquaria or animal husbandry emergency occurring on a weekend or after 6pm, the aquarist may additionally invoice the nature centre for an additional 'emergency fee' of $50. This is in addition to the hours required attending to the emergency.

Administration and Communications

• The Aquarist is responsible for maintaining CENC's licensing through the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
• The Aquarist documents collections, releases, and mortality as required by DFO.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma required; post-secondary education or coursework in Marine Biology, Aquaculture, Zoology, or Environmental studies is a major asset.
• Minimum 1-2 years of hands-on experience maintaining marine/reef aquariums (commercial facility, public exhibit, or advanced private husbandry).
• Strong communication skills.
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.
• Friendly, energetic, adaptable, and organized.

Personal Qualities

We Are Looking For Someone Who Is

• Passionate about Aquaculture, environmental education.
• Friendly, energetic, and engaging.
• Professional, reliable, and self‑motivated.
• Comfortable working in varying weather conditions and outdoor environments.

Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs (moving salt buckets/water jugs), stand for long periods, and work safely around electrical systems and wet conditions.
• Excellent time management, ability to self‑direct in a small team environment, and clear public communication skills.
• Successful Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check.

Applications close Wednesday, September 16th.