Aquarium Service Technician
Pay: $16.00–$30.00 per hour
Island Fish and Scale (IF&S) is hiring dependable Aquarium Service Technicians to maintain freshwater, saltwater, reef, pond, and specialty aquatic systems for residential, commercial, and educational clients across Long Island. This is a hands-on, field-based position that also supports our quarantine and retail systems in Commack.
Both part-time and full-time positions are available.
Please review these core requirements before applying:
- At least one year of direct, hands-on aquarium maintenance experience with freshwater, saltwater, or reef systems. General interest in animals without relevant aquarium experience is not sufficient.
- A valid driver’s license, a driving record that meets company insurance requirements, and reliable transportation.
- The ability to report to Commack as early as 8:00 a.m. when scheduled. Consistent attendance and punctuality are essential.
- The ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly and perform physically demanding work, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Professional communication skills and the ability to interact respectfully with clients.
- Availability Monday through Friday, with some weekends as needed.
Primary Responsibilities
- Complete scheduled aquarium-service routes efficiently and to IF&S standards.
- Clean aquarium glass, decorations, filtration systems, and surrounding service areas.
- Perform partial and full water changes and remove algae, detritus, and debris.
- Test and adjust water parameters, including pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, salinity, calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium as appropriate for each system.
- Inspect and maintain pumps, filters, protein skimmers, heaters, UV sterilizers, lighting, and related life-support equipment.
- Troubleshoot equipment or water-quality issues and clearly communicate needed repairs or recommendations.
- Observe fish and invertebrates for signs of stress, illness, injury, or unusual behavior.
- Follow established quarantine, treatment, acclimation, feeding, and animal-care procedures.
- Maintain accurate service notes, water-test results, supply records, and client updates.
- Assist with the daily care and continued improvement of our Commack quarantine, retail, and exhibit systems.
Required Qualifications
- At least one year of relevant aquarium-maintenance experience.
- Working knowledge of aquarium water chemistry, filtration, cycles, livestock care, and routine maintenance.
- Strong organization and time-management skills, including the ability to service multiple accounts in one day.
- High school diploma or GED.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
- Dependable attendance, punctuality, and attention to detail.
Preferred Experience
- Professional residential or commercial aquarium-service experience.
- Saltwater, reef, coral-care, or sensitive marine-fish quarantine experience.
- PVC plumbing, equipment repair, carpentry, or related technical skills.
- Experience managing an independent service route.
Compensation and Benefits
The starting rate is $17.00–$30.00 per hour and is based on demonstrated experience, technical skill, and readiness to service accounts independently. The upper end of the range is reserved for candidates with advanced professional experience in areas such as saltwater and reef systems, quarantine, diagnostics, plumbing, equipment repair, or route management.
Benefits include:
- Paid, hands-on training
- Mileage reimbursement when using a personal vehicle between work locations
- Possible access to a company vehicle for qualifying full-time employees
- Employee discount
- Scheduling flexibility based on route and staffing needs
- Opportunities to grow into full-time, advanced-service, and specialty-project roles
Full-time employment may be subject to applicable background and driving-record checks.
How to Apply
Apply through Indeed with a current résumé and complete all screening questions. Clearly describe your aquarium-maintenance experience, the types of systems you have worked with, and your part-time or full-time availability.
Only applicants who meet the core requirements and provide complete, relevant information will be advanced to the next stage.
Pay: $17.00 - $30.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Fuel card
- On-the-job training
- Paid training
- Professional development assistance
- Tools provided
Application Question(s):
- Which type of systems have you personally maintained?
- Briefly describe the systems you maintained, the work you personally performed, and the water parameters you regularly tested.
- Do you have a valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and reliable transportation for reporting to Commack and traveling between client sites?
- Can you lift and carry up to 50 pounds and perform physically demanding aquarium-maintenance work, with or without reasonable accommodation?
- Please provide your availability Monday through Friday, note any weekend availability, and specify whether you are seeking part-time or full-time work.
- Can you reliably report to Commack as early as 8:00 a.m. when scheduled?
Experience:
- Direct, hands-on aquarium maintenance: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
