Dive Safety Officer

Zoological Society•Pittsburgh, PA

About The Position

Perform all dive related procedures, monitoring, and maintenance work with limited supervision from senior staff; schedule and manage all area, volunteer, and staff responsibilities in an organized positive manner, compile reports and records with a satisfactory degree of accuracy, works proactively with other managers to integrate dive operations into animal care, facility maintenance, and public relations in a safe manner, effectively communicate the Zoo’s mission to the general public.

Requirements

High School or GED plus three (3) years’ full-time equivalent SCUBA diving experience in a position which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Must possess current SCUBA certification of Dive Instructor or higher from a World Recreational SCUBA Training Council agency. Must have a current and valid driver’s license.
Must be available to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime when required to meet operational needs.
This position may require that incumbents to wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, safety footwear, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, or other safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk. Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by the employee’s supervisor based on position assigned.
This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to mandatory drug testing. Positive drug test results may result in counseling and/or discipline, up to and including, termination.
This position requires the incumbent to remain certified in First-Aid, CPR and AED use. If not already trained, this training must be obtained within 6 months of employment.
Successful completion of a pre-employment physical.
Knowledge of safe diving practices and identification of unsafe diving practices.
Knowledge of SCUBA certification requirements.
Knowledge of methods for SCUBA activities related record keeping.
Knowledge of diving safety standards as determined by OSHA, AAUS, ADPA, AZA and / or other SCUBA accrediting agencies.
Knowledge of diving physiology.
Knowledge of Dive Safety Manuals.
Knowledge of dive/ SCUBA equipment inspections and maintenance procedures.
Knowledge of marine animal species identification.
Skill in dive/SCUBA equipment maintenance.
Skill in correct assembly and disassembly of SCUBA gear.
Skill in use of small hand tools as well as basic shop tools.
Skill in safely operating dive gear.
Skill in safely operating SCUBA compressors.
Skill in exhibit maintenance.
Skill in dive tending.
Skill in animal collecting.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to problem solve in assigned area.
Ability to maintain detailed records.
Ability to organize research reports and other types of data.
Ability to write procedures and protocols.
Ability to follow directions and maintain effective working relationships with staff and other groups or organizations with which the Zoo has contact.
Ability to effectively train and lead dive staff, volunteers, and interns.
Ability to effectively communicate with guests in both formal and informal settings.

Nice To Haves

Experience diving in an aquarium, zoo, science center, or similar facility.
Dive program supervisory and management experience. Experience maintaining and managing dive equipment, experience repairing exhibits, experience developing and writing diving protocols/manuals, experience communicating to the public, certified visual cylinder inspection and manufacturer specific diving equipment inspection/repair experience, experience leading field collecting dive operations, aquatic animal husbandry experience.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of all diving operations and safety protocols, procedures, and training to ensure compliance with all regulatory agencies and accrediting organizations including but not limited to; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), the Association of Dive Program Administrators (ADPA), and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Participate in the recruitment, organization, training, supervision, and scheduling of the volunteer divers. Working with the volunteer resources section to serve as the liaison to the dive volunteers, lead monthly dive team meetings to build and maintain a cohesive team, and serve on the Dive Control Board (DCB).
Train staff and volunteer divers in order to build a competent bench of divers to safely handle all aspects of the Zoo’s diving activities including exhibit maintenance, demonstrations, educational programs and special events, even when Dive Safety Officer is not present.
Follow all protocols to ensure biosecurity and safe handling of animals, under the supervision of the Curatorial and Veterinary staff. Collaborate with the Veterinarian, Curatorial and/or animal care staff to assist with in-water animal husbandry, medical procedures, or exhibit maintenance when necessary. Serve as dive-tender when necessary. Inspect exhibits, and plans, coordinates, and supervise daily system maintenance activities and perform underwater repairs as needed.
Assist with the development and execution of dynamic educational and sustainability programs that serve to enhance animal care, animal management, visitor experience, and support the Zoo’s mission.
Perform routine inspections and inventory of SCUBA regulators, air cylinders, hookah and surface supplied systems, full-face masks, buoyancy control devices, wetsuits, fins, dive-related life safety equipment, communications and other dive related gear and equipment. Perform preventative maintenance, repairs and orders equipment. Maintain SCUBA air compressor, fill SCUBA cylinders, and coordinate required breathing air analysis tests to ensure supplied air meets established quality/purity standards. Keeps equipment and work areas in a neat, operational, organized, and sanitary condition.
Assist the Curator with developing and managing dive program budget.
Maintain detailed up-to-date dive program records including but not limited to, equipment maintenance logs, and training and risk management logs. Keep divers apprised of their certification status to comply with dive safety and fitness qualifications. Maintain certification records, liability releases, incident reports and medical forms adhering to privacy and security mandates. Ensures dive logs are maintained according to regulatory and accreditation requirements.
Administer quarterly dive emergency training drills. Review and edit the dive safety manual as needed and ensure the publication and distribution of the dive operations manual on an annual basis to all dive staff and volunteers. Train staff to respond to dive related emergency procedures.
Maintain knowledge of current diving industry standards, physiology, equipment and techniques to ensure the Zoo’s compliance with all relevant safety, regulatory, and accreditation standards. May be required to travel to attend training sessions and dive industry trade shows.
Assist with the professional development of staff and volunteer divers.
Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described or less. Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on current workloads and department needs.