Assistant Curator / Dive Safety Officer

Aza•Albuquerque, NM

32d

About The Position

The Albuquerque (ABQ) BioPark, the most visited attraction in New Mexico (1.2M annual visitors) is a dynamic cultural facility including an AZA accredited zoo and aquarium, a botanic garden and public park with fishing ponds. The BioPark is a beloved community jewel. The voters of the Albuquerque community voted in favor of a fifteen-year 1/8 cent gross receipts tax (GRT) in 2015 to support the implementation of the BioPark's master plan. This support has allowed the BioPark Zoo to make important additions to the zoo including a new elephant barn, Birds of Prey exhibit, nearly $10M in maintenance infrastructure improvements and the opening of new Asia and Australia exhibits in 2023. In addition to broad community support for capital improvements, the BioPark is currently in the midst of strategic planning process that has identified a new mission, core values and strategic program pillars to guide our work over the next five years. We are excited to have this process evolve alongside a master plan review and update process that aligns capital improvements with program development that is focused on community engagement and conservation impacts. Position Summary Supervise, plan and coordinate staff engaged in all aspects of the BioPark's dive safety program. Oversees and enforce dive safety policies, following AAUS and OSHA guidelines for all divers and dive activities under the auspices of the ABQ BioPark, as well as for performing various daily tasks required by the dive program. Provide a variety of ABQ BioPark services, activities and operations with the focus on providing highly responsible care and husbandry of the BioPark's diverse living collection. Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Requirements

Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements Education and experience directly related to the minimum requirements below may be interchangeable on a year for year basis.
Bachelor's degree in Science (B.S.) from an accredited college or university; and
Three (3) years of professional level experience working in dive operations within a public aquarium, dive shop or dive tourist destination; and
To include one (1) year direct supervisory or technical lead experience.
Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.
Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within 6 months from date of hire.
Possession of certification as a Divemaster or Assistant Instructor.
Possession of an instructor level certification from a professionally recognized organization within one (1) year from date of hire into position.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.
Principles and techniques of Aquarium dive program management
Principles and techniques of marine and aquatic animal husbandry
Aquatic animal behavioral training and acceptable operant conditioning techniques
Basic operations and services of a Biological Park program focusing on SCUBA diving, fish and other aquatic animals
Basic operations and services of a Biological Park program focusing on marine and aquatic biology
Methods of supervision, training, and performance evaluation
Principles and practices of volunteer administration, including recruitment and training
Principles and practices of supervision, evaluation and training
Principles and procedures of record keeping
English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation
Occupational hazards and standard safety practices
Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations for scuba diving
Interpret and explain City Bio Park programs, policies and procedures
Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff
Make repeated dives during the workday to feed animals, scrub algae and make in-tank repairs to exhibits
Work with large and potentially dangerous marine animals
Exercise proper judgment in cases of animal emergencies
Respond to requests and inquiries from the public
Work independently in the absence of supervision
Oversee the work of lower level staff
Communicate clearly and concisely
Perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Responsibilities

Supervise, plan and coordinate staff engaged in all aspects of the BioPark's dive safety program.
Oversees and enforce dive safety policies, following AAUS and OSHA guidelines for all divers and dive activities under the auspices of the ABQ BioPark, as well as for performing various daily tasks required by the dive program.
Provide a variety of ABQ BioPark services, activities and operations with the focus on providing highly responsible care and husbandry of the BioPark's diverse living collection.

Benefits

The City is committed to providing employees one of the most comprehensive and reasonably priced benefit packages available in New Mexico.
We hope that you will find the coverage offered provides you with the choices and options necessary to keep you and your family healthy and well.
The City offers regular, full-time and part-time employees the option of participating in a variety of group insurance plans.
Both Regular and Temporary (non-seasonal) employees participate in the state's retirement system.
Additional Benefit information is available by clicking on the link below.
General Benefits: http://www.cabq.gov/humanresources/employee-benefits/new-employee-information

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume