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.

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 MGDPTake 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…