Newport Aquarium Dive Technician - Part-Time Seasonal [S]

Newport Aquarium • Newport, KY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a seasonal role with an expected END date of January 1, 2027. The Dive Technician will be responsible for preparing dive days, setting up maintenance equipment, developing dive plans, conducting dive briefs and debriefs, and actively monitoring dive maintenance tasks. This role ensures all procedures are followed, provides coaching on dive safety, and files necessary reports. The technician will also execute emergency response plans and act as the primary responder during diving emergencies. Additionally, they will perform maintenance diver duties, operate the breathing air compressor, maintain dive equipment inventory, and perform general housekeeping. The position requires proficiency in OSHA commercial diving regulations and ADPA best practices, and may involve assisting the Animal Care Team with non-diving responsibilities.

Requirements

• Minimum of Rescue Diver certification from a recognized diver training organization.
• A minimum of 200 logged dives of Scuba Diving experience.
• CPR and First Aid Certifications.
• Strong knowledge of diving theory and safe diving practices, with the ability identify hazards before they become incidents.
• The ability to identify dive equipment issues requiring equipment to be pulled from active service for certified technician inspection/repair.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team in a constantly changing environment.
• Perform tasks with minimum supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills, especially the ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office. Must be able to work in Microsoft Excel.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule which will include weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Successful completion of pre-employment drug screening, background check, and dive physical release.
• In good health and capable of performing strenuous and/or heavy physical labor.
• No history of allergy related to animals or plants, which might interfere with ability to work.
• Ability to remain on feet for long periods of time, climb stairs, bend and stoop.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions.
• No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch, balance and agility of movement which might interfere with ability to work.
• Physical strength, including the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Immunocompetence (possible exposure to infections, zoonotic and parasitic disease).

Nice To Haves

• Divemaster, Assistant Instructor or Instructor preferred.
• Aquarium diving experience preferred.
• 02 Provider preferred.

Responsibilities

• Preparing the dive day by consulting with the dive schedule, staff schedule and volunteer coordination website, pulling logbooks for staff and volunteers and filling out pre-dive paperwork.
• Setting up all maintenance equipment prior to scheduled maintenance dives.
• Develop a dive plan to execute required maintenance tasks.
• Conduct dive briefs with staff and volunteer maintenance divers, consisting of required maintenance tasks, recognized hazards and emergency response plans.
• Active on-site monitoring of dive maintenance tasks, ensuring maintenance is completed and recorded.
• Ensure all procedures are followed, providing coaching and audits on divers not following the procedures set forth in the aquarium’s Dive Safety Manual.
• File incident, witness and near-miss reports with the Dive Safety Officer (DSO) and Property Safety Supervisor.
• Execute emergency response plans and act as the primary responder during diving emergencies, including in-water rescue if required.
• Conduct a debrief, post dive with staff and volunteer maintenance divers. Communicating any diver health/safety issues to the Dive Safety Officer (DSO) and any animal welfare or behavior issues to the Animal Care Team (ACT) point of contact.
• Ensure all dive equipment and maintenance tools are removed from the exhibit, cleaned and properly stored post dive.
• Conduct post dive paperwork and logbook entries. Working with online databases and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.
• Perform the role of a maintenance diver when not supervising diving activities, which includes scrubbing both manually and mechanically, underwater vacuuming, acrylic cleaning, festival sculpture installations, acting as a safety diver and waste collection and disposal.
• Operate our breathing air compressor and filling scuba cylinders.
• Help maintain inventory and status of dive, maintenance and emergency response equipment.
• Perform general housekeeping duties, including organizing, cleaning, scrubbing, power washing and waste disposal.
• Become proficient in OSHA commercial diving regulations and Association of Dive Program Administrators (ADPA) best practices as they pertain to aquarium dive operations.
• Assist Animal Care Team (ACT) with non-diving responsibilities as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 24 Hours of Sick PTO
• Free entrance for you and your dependents which extends to most Herschend Enterprises’ properties
• Earn 1 General Admission complimentary ticket, that you can give to anyone, per pay period
• Discounts at Sharky’s Café, Sweet Dreams Candy Company, and the gift shop
• Discounted tickets and annual passes for friends and family
• Training and development
• Fully funded education programs through Grow U (certifications to master's degrees)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed