Dive Safety Officer

## Dive Safety Officer

JOB SUMMARY

The Dive Safety Officer (DSO) manages all dive activities related to the Moody Gardens Dive Program. Responsible, with the Diving Control Board and Director of Marine Operations (DOMO), for developing and enforcing policies and procedures that ensure safe diving practices. Manage staff and volunteer dive programs, including member selection, testing, training and scheduling. Test and maintain dive related equipment used under the auspices of the Moody Gardens dive operations. Ensure compliance with all standards related to Moody Gardens Diving Operations. Performs other duties as assigned.

POSITION AUTHORITY

The incumbent is authorized to take reasonable action necessary to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities, provided such action is consistent with position guidelines as outlined below.

POSITION GUIDELINES

Position guidelines include, but are not limited to, administering and managing dive program operations, diver training, maintenance of dive program records and recordkeeping, equipment compliance, recommending company and department policies and procedures and all supervisory directives. The incumbent is expected to exercise sound, reasonable judgment and initiative, and give high priority to accuracy and details in the performance of job responsibilities.

## Qualifications

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Responsible for the administration and management of all diving operations conducted under Moody Gardens auspices, including but not limited to administering and managing staff and volunteer divers, serving in various roles for dive operations, responding to emergency situations, conducting training, recordkeeping and administrative duties
• Responsible for timely inspection, maintenance, and repair of all dive and dive related equipment in accordance to the dive safety manual and/or manufacturer’s recommendations
• Maintain accurate dive program records for maintenance and repair, divers, equipment, and inventory
• Keep DOMO, Curators and staff informed of personnel issues and behaviors in addition to animal health issues and behaviors observed in the course of dive operations
• Maintain an effective approach to promoting not only a strong safety culture for dive operations, and also effective and positive leadership both on and off property

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate MGDP dive operations focusing on diver training, safety protocol development and refinement, and operational efficiency
• Inspect, maintain, and repair all diving and breathing gas production equipment
• Conduct MGDP diver training, dive record maintenance, and DSM compliance
• Conduct routine audits of dive program records
• Conduct MGDP diver emergency response drills
• Collaborate with diving staff on daily preventative and corrective maintenance of all water-containing infrastructures
• Interface effectively with other departments to maintain the highest quality standards
• Interact with guests, media, and public, etc., on behalf of the MGDP
• Take an active leadership role in the Moody Gardens’ exhibit maintenance.
• Take an active leadership role in public programming dive presentation development, and participate in dive presentations and special events as needed
• Travel internationally, as needed, to support MGDP expeditions
• Work respectfully with a diverse team of staff, students, and volunteer divers.
• Follow MG diving and general safety regulations.
• Evaluate and monitor all diving activities to ensure compliance with the Moody Gardens Diving Safety Manual.
• Required to stop any diving practice deemed unsafe as described in the Moody Gardens diving safety manual.
• Responsible for keeping divers apprised of their certification status and ensuring compliance with diving safety standards as determined by the Diving Control Board (DCB), the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) and OSHA.
• Maintain a strong knowledge base of diving industry standards, diving physiology, equipment and techniques in order to ensure Moody Gardens compliance with all relevant safety standards.
• Supervise Dive Operations Staff including performance review and goal setting.
• Supervise Dive Office Intern. This includes training in various aspects of administrative duties such as computer use, dive certification record keeping and volunteer mailings.
• Maintain updated materials and manuals relevant to the Moody Gardens dive program.
• Keep Moody Gardens divers apprised of pertinent events through written, verbal and electronic updates.
• Provide required diver training to paid and volunteer staff in order to enhance diver safety and MG diver capabilities. This includes instruction of CPR, Oxygen Administration and Rescue training, along with other specialized diving skill sets.
• Recruit, screen and select volunteer divers for the MBA dive program.
• Coordinate volunteer and feeding presentation dive schedules.
• Coordinate volunteer diver recognition and award ceremonies, diver enrichments, and meetings.
• Assist in preparing the dive operations budget.
• Act as the primary liaison with the Volunteer Resources Dept.
• Attend training sessions and trade shows to maintain current industry certifications.
• Fill scuba cylinders. Run breathing air analysis tests to ensure the quality and purity of compressed air supplied to aquarium divers.
• Work as dive personnel for exhibit dive presentations including trouble shooting technical problems. Assume the responsibility for diver rescue if necessary. Help maintain and upgrade the equipment used in these presentations.
• Work with other staff to help with exhibit maintenance as time allows.
• Conduct other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Baccalaureate degree; marine science-related field preferred
• Possess current leadership-level certification from an internationally recognized agency; NAUI preferred.
• Have professional experience with an American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) or equivalent diving program
• Possess active-status Scientific Diver authorization with an AAUS Organizational Member program preferred
• Present a copy of dive training certifications, certificates, and diving log.
• Valid drivers license
• Possess current DAN Diving First Aid for Professional Divers Instructor certification preferred
• Possess current regulator service technician certification; Oceanic/Hollis preferred.