Job Description

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

The Maritime Aquarium’s mission is to ignite a connection to Long Island Sound and the ocean to enrich the lives of all people and inspire action to protect our blue planet. For 37 years, the Aquarium has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Norwalk and the region. The second largest family attraction in Connecticut, and 50 miles from New York City, the Aquarium hosts nearly 450,000 guests annually. Its primary exhibits take guests on a voyage from the shallow salt marshes and estuaries to the depths of the Long Island Sound and the ocean beyond, culminating with habitats for sharks and harbor seals. 
 
Altogether, the Aquarium is home to more than 8,000 animals and 285 species in 75 exhibits. A new 4D Theater offers a unique sensory film experience for guests. Its education programs introduce nearly 50,000 students, campers and scouts to marine and STEM education. The Aquarium is recognized as a top aquarium in the nation and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is an active participant in the local and regional community. The strength of the Aquarium is its 85 full-time staff, and part-time and seasonal staff, in addition to our volunteers. 

The Assistant Dive Safety Officer (ADSO), working within the animal husbandry team and reporting to the Dive Safety Officer and the Associate Director of Animal Husbandry, is responsible for assisting the DSO with the coordination and management of volunteer and staff SCUBA dive operations and training. The ADSO will manage and coordinate the volunteer dive team, planning volunteer dives, and ensuring credentials and medical requirements are kept up to date.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Four (4) year degree in the biological sciences or similar discipline preferred.
• Minimum one (1) years’ experience in a public aquarium husbandry or dive operations position, or relevant experience from a comparable setting (university or similar).
• Hold a valid certification as a Divemaster or above from a nationally recognized training agency (GUE, PADI, NAUI, IDEA, SSI, etc.).
• Experience with volunteer management.
• General knowledge of computer databases and Microsoft office suite.
• Strong command of the English language, both written and verbal.
• Able to lift a minimum of sixty (60) pounds and climb ladders while wearing dive gear.
• Able to negotiate various field conditions.
• Able to work standing up for extended periods of time.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, days closed due to inclement weather, and to travel for extended periods of time to perform collecting and other duties.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Instructor certification from a nationally recognized training agency (GUE, PADI, NAUI, IDEA, SSI, etc.) preferred.
• Five (5) years’ experience as a certified diver, of which at least 2 should be as a professional level diver (Divemaster and above) preferred.
• One (1) years’ experience at an AZA-accredited aquarium or zoo preferred.
• DAN DFA Pro instructor license, or an equivalent CPR/FA/O2/AED Instructor qualification from a nationally recognized certification training agency preferred.
• SCUBA Visual Cylinder Inspection (VIP) certification preferred.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Schedule and coordinate volunteer divers for maintenance of exhibits and dive presentations
• Act as a liaison between volunteer divers and staff
• Participate in staff and volunteer dives and dive presentations
• Serve as DPIC when the DSO is not on duty
• Assist the DSO with maintaining TMA SCUBA equipment including, but not limited to, compressors, regulators, cylinders, full-face masks, buoyancy compensators, wetsuits, drysuits, etc.
• Documents and communicates observations to the DSO.
• Other duties as assigned, including but not limited to field collections, research activities, animal husbandry assistance, animal transports, educational presentations, dive volunteer recruiting, etc.
• Able to work weekends and holidays and travel for extended periods of time.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Maritime Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.