Newport Aquarium Dive Safety Officer

Newport Aquarium, one of the many properties owned by Herschend Family Entertainment, prides itself on creating memories worth repeating. Our Core Values – greatly exceeding guest expectations, serving others, creating emotional connections, and constantly improving – give us purpose and guidance.      

SUMMARY:

The position requires a dedicated individual who will take direction and receive support from the Operations Director in carrying out the duties of the position. The Dive Safety Officer plans, develops and leads the in-house staff diving, volunteer diving, which include all water related activities requiring water entry, both in-house and open water.  Dive Safety and compliance, volunteer communications, animal health, record keeping and visitor experience are the driving priorities in accomplishing the goals of this position. This position supports several departments including animal care, guest experience and marketing/communications.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As a member of the Operations Team, you will lead by example by being patient, kind, humble, respectful, selfless, forgiving, honest and committed when interacting with one another and guests.
• Manage dive staff: create schedules, approve payroll, interview candidates, onboard new employees, coach and counsel behaviors.
• Administer all procedures set forth in the Diving Manual and the Volunteer Diver Handbook.
• Edit and update the Dive Safety Manual & Volunteer Diver Handbook annually or when necessary.
• Compliance with all OSHA regulations and Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) standards.
• Support all dive related activities.
• Oversee all dive operations; scheduling, meetings, activities, training and development of the Dive Safety program.
• Oversee all aspects of hiring/promoting of departmental employees.
• Ensure volunteer diver activities are consistent and work with the Guest Experience department on dive show quality.
• Interface with and support other departmental representatives on diving related activities.
• Train new Animal Care Team members to assure compliance with established standards and protocols.
• Evaluate diver competency.
• Plan and coordinate maintenance and repair of SCUBA, diving/safety related equipment.
• Help maintain inventory of dive equipment, safety equipment, program wetsuits, and ordering misc. supplies.
• Keep work areas clean and organized and report mechanical failures to supervisor in a timely manner.
• Plan and initiate drills as needed as well as constantly improve in response to drill feedback.
• Maintain logs/forms and systems required for diving programs and equipment maintenance.
• Research and suggest upgrades, enhancements and changes to dive program to supervisor.
• Assist in collecting and other animal care team activities when needed.
• Act as chairperson for Dive Control Board.
• Ensure the Dive Team is represented on the Safety Committee.
• Participate in leadership training as required.
• Develop and manage departmental P&L by monitoring revenue and expense budgets throughout the year and be able to explain positive and negative variances.
• Assure that all required recordkeeping is properly documented to include daily sales records, monthly reports and other requirements.
• Actively participate in annual budgets, forecasts and other conversations that that impact the revenue division.
• Work with the Director to set the dive capital plan
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Instructor certification from a recognized diver training organization or currently in process of obtaining Instructor certification.
• A minimum of 500 logged hours of Scuba Diving experience.
• Experience in managing a large, diverse volunteer staff, or similar management experience.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to evaluate divers for competency in all SCUBA related activities.
• Experience with aquatics safety, CPR, First Aid, DAN O2 instructor certification and familiarity with AED preferred.
• Dive equipment maintenance tech certifications is desired.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Biology is preferred (4 years of professional dive experience may be considered in place of a degree).
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team in a constantly changing environment as well as individually, with a minimum of supervision.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Experience with small boat operation and knowledge of boating safety issues is beneficial. Ability to drive small-medium size trucks and tow trailer is desired.
• Ability to travel when necessary, usually not to exceed four weeks at one time.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule which includes evenings, weekends and holidays. Ability to respond to emergencies on an on- call basis.
• Willingness/Ability to lead training classes.
• Captive large animal dive experience a plus.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Successful completion of pre-employment drug screening, background check and SCUBA dive physical release form.
• 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).

Note:  Position will involve exposure to inclement weather, dust, potentially dangerous and unpredictable animal species, and potential dangerous machinery, restraint devices and toxic chemicals and/or drugs. Occasional use of protective clothing or equipment is required e.g. goggles, mask, gloves, and gowns. 

YOU CAN EXPECT:
You can expect to work on projects that have never been done before – ideas that are unproven, and concepts that make people smile.  You can expect to have fun and be treated with respect the minute you start…and through to the end.  You can expect to work in an environment that is highly innovative and low in politics – truthful and filled with smart people!

And most of all, you can expect to work hard and make a difference in our world by helping to bring families closer together.