Director of Dive Operations; Dive Safety Officer

John G Shedd Aquarium Director of Dive Operations (Dive Safety Officer)

DEPARTMENT: Dive Operations
REPORTS TO: Sr. Director of Animal Operations & Habitats
STATUS: Full-time, Exempt
SALARY: $85,000 - $100,000
LOCATION: Onsite - Chicago, IL.
POSITION OVERVIEW:

Shedd Aquarium illustrates a commitment to optimal animal care and welfare to facilitate impactful public engagement with wildlife. Our commitment to an animal care‑first approach has a foundation where individuals and groups of animals can exhibit natural behaviors encouraged through complex environmental design, innovative behavioral training, and enrichment.

The Dive Safety Officer (DSO) is a leadership position that is responsible and accountable for the development and management of safe and effective Aquarium dive program operations, dive facilities, and dive equipment. The DSO works with assistant dive safety officers, staff and managers from numerous departments to develop and implement dive protocols and first‑aid procedures to meet operational needs while ensuring compliance with regulatory and relevant professional organizations.

The DSO mentors and coaches staff and volunteer divers, fostering effective communication; and participates in the creation and implementation of new dive programs as developed through the Aquarium’s Experience Master Planning process.

The Dive Safety Officer serves as Chair of the Dive Control Board (DCB) and is the chief representative in the reporting and development of the above programs and content for the DCB. The DSO supports the integration of dive operations into animal care, facility maintenance, public relations, and research activities, and is proactive in collaboration with other managers to affect safe procedures requiring SCUBA, surface‑supplied air, snorkeling, and breath‑hold diving.

The Dive Safety Officer is a working diver position.

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission, and values.
• Lead the development of diving operations and safety protocols, procedures, training, compliance, and documentation.
• Evaluate staff and volunteer divers regarding training, knowledge, and skill proficiency.
• Ensure that all divers meet fitness qualifications in accordance with Aquarium policy.
• Participate in the recruitment, assessment of the organization, training, and scheduling of the volunteer divers.
• Lead the development of and oversee the execution of exhibit maintenance duties and responsibilities requiring SCUBA.
• Function as a Dive Master as needed to support Aquarium‑approved field dive activities.
• Work with the captain of the R/V Coral Reef II to develop safe diving operations for the Aquarium’s research vessel.
• Work with the research team to develop best practices for field diving from the R/V Coral Reef II.
• Ensure safe and animal‑sensitive approaches to dive operation planning and execution.
• Recommend and manage dive program budgets.
• Maintain the highest industry standards related to Aquarium dive operations.
• Work evening, weekend, holiday hours as required.
• Work extended periods of time of up to two weeks for field diving operations, particularly aboard R/V Coral Reef II.
• Help to ensure that regular preventative maintenance is performed on all dive program equipment, including water and dive safety equipment, as needed/required, and maintains such equipment in a neat, operational, organized, and sanitary condition.
• Maintain detailed, up‑to‑date dive program records, including, but not limited to, equipment maintenance logs, and training and risk management logs. Ensure that dive logs are maintained and archived according to regulatory and accreditation requirements and standards.
• Participate in public interaction, including behind‑the‑scenes tours, speaking engagements, media communication, and guest education.
• Compose dive operations and related information for public relations, social media, development, membership, and others as requested.
• Assist with the health and care of the animal collection as directed by veterinary and husbandry leadership.
• Review and edit the dive safety manual as needed and ensure the publication and distribution of the dive operations…