Assistant Aquarist

April's Aquarium / Your Local Fish Store is a freshwater tropical fish store located in the Marpole neighbourhood of Vancouver, BC. We have one of Canada's widest selection of nano fish, plants, and hardscape available, and are dedicated to providing the best quality customer service and education.

**Role Overview**:
As an Assistant Aquarist, you will play a critical role in supporting the overall maintenance and operations of our store by ensuring the cleanliness, health, and appeal of our aquariums as well as the store environment.

**Key Responsibilities**:
**Aquarium Maintenance**
- Participating in scheduled daily tank maintenance tasks to maintain water quality
- Participating in the maintenance of display tanks including plant husbandry and aquascaping
- Maintaining cleanliness of tanks via the algae scraping & scrubbing
- Conducting regular filter maintenance and troubleshooting
- Dosing chemical additives, calculating appropriate dosages
- Collaborating with senior aquarists in the implementation of larger projects and exhibit designs

**Livestock Care**
- Making daily observations of livestock and reporting abnormalities or health developments to senior aquarists
- Aiding in the administration of medications and treatments
- Feeding livestock, preparing foods, and selecting appropriate diets
- Assisting with livestock deliveries, acclimation, and transport
- Observing biosecurity protocols to limit the spread of disease

**General Store Duties**
- Reporting to the lead merchandiser to aid in the maintenance a well-organized and visually appealing retail space
- Receiving purchase orders for dry goods & plants, stocking & facing shelves to maintain an attractive storefront
- Monitoring inventory levels, replenishing storefront
- Accurately performing sales transactions for cash, debit, and credit card at point of sale registers
- Cleaning and maintaining the store environment to maintain tidiness, attractiveness, and hygiene of space
- Providing top quality customer service, welcoming customers into the store, and supplying friendly and knowledgeable assistance to customers seeking advice or making purchases
- Acting as a team member by showing consideration, cooperation, tolerance, reliability and ability to accept and respond to constructive feedback

**Qualifications**:

- High school diploma or equivalent
- Knowledge of basic aquatic biology, water chemistry, and fishkeeping principles.
- Previous experience working in customer service and retail settings would be an asset
- Possess a very strong attention to detail and ability to foresee and prevent potential problems before they arise
- Possess superior organizational and multi-tasking skills to ensure all tasks are completed on time in a busy retail environment

**Working Conditions**:

- Ability to lift up to 30lbs, & ability to be mobile - reach, bend, stoop, climb ladders, etc.
- Requires standing for long periods of time
- Exposure to slippery conditions and uneven surfaces
- Be comfortable working in a store where dogs, cats, and exotic animals may visit with customers
- Ability to work 10 hour shifts, including evenings & weekends

**Compensation & Benefits**:

- Salary: $16.75 per hour
- In-store discount

**Salary**: $16.75 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Flexible Language Requirement:

- French not required

Schedule:

- Evening shift
- Weekends as needed

Application question(s):

- Please describe your knowledge and experience in the care and maintenance of freshwater aquaria, either in this text box or in a cover letter. We would appreciate details of your knowledge and experience regarding: fish species/groups and respective care, aquarium maintenance and equipment, fish heath and disease, water parameters and aquarium theory, or any other information you deem relevant. The more info, the better

Work Location: In person