Diving Safety Officer

Vancouver Aquarium, one of the many properties owned by Herschend Family Entertainment, prides itself on working towards bringing families closer together and to creating memories worth repeating. Our Core Values - greatly exceeding guest expectations, serving others, creating emotional connections, constantly improving - give us purpose and guidance.

**SUMMARY**:

- The role is responsible for managing the Vancouver Aquarium (VAQ) diving safety program to ensure the safety of all VAQ divers and diving support personnel._

**ACCOUNTABILITIES**:
**Ensuring compliance with all diving related safety regulations and procedures by**:

- Training, testing and evaluating and supervising staff, volunteer and visiting divers.
- Maintaining diver records.
- Developing and providing safety and educational courses in emergency response, diving theory and skills, first aid, CPR, and oxygen use.
- Maintaining and updating the VAQ Diving Safety Manual and coordinating the VAQ Diving Control Board.
- Developing, updating and/or implementing related policies and procedures as required.
- Exchanging information with diving and safety organizations, Provincial, Federal and international regulatory bodies, certification and scientific diving organizations.

**Managing the diving safety program by**:

- Coordinating purchase of dive gear, supplies and equipment.
- Preparing and monitoring a budget.
- Promoting awareness of the VAQ diving program by coordinating the annual Divers’ Weekend event.
- Planning and executing special projects or other duties assigned.
- Representing VAQ at national and international scientific diving conferences.

**Improving VAQ and its processes by**:

- Maintaining organizational safety standards.
- Continually reducing the impact on the environment.
- Actively demonstrating the VAQ’s values and expectations for conduct.
- Emphasizing excellent customer service.

**Supporting all diving operations by**:

- Assisting all VAQ operations as required.
- Performing regular maintenance on dive gear, including regulators, BCDs, full face masks, drysuits, gauges, cylinders, hoses, etc.
- Ensuring upkeep of the dive locker and other dive gear storage areas.
- Performing additional duties of a similar nature or level as required.

**JOB REQUIREMENTS**:
**Education and Experience**
- Preferred: Undergraduate degree in science.
- Required: Scuba diving instructor certification.
- Required: medical clearance to dive.
- Preferred: CAUS (or equivalent) scientific diver training.
- DCBC occupational diver certification is an asset.
- Dive gear technician certification, preferably Aqua Lung/Apeks, Poseidon and OTS.
- Experience in a variety of conditions and familiarity with a variety of dive gear.
- Experience and certification (SVOP) to operate small commercial vessels.
- Experience planning and executing diving-related field operations.
- Valid driver’s license.

**Skills**
- Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Proficient with MS Office suite of programs.
- Ability to schedule, supervise and discipline when required.

**Technical Competencies**
- Attention to detail and strict observance of safety procedures and protocols.
- Ability to read and understand and follow technical service manuals.
- Ability to lift greater than 40kg. (Job requires considerable strength and endurance.)
- Medical and physical suitability for diving.

**Working Conditions**
- Exposure to hazardous conditions that may include breathing compressed air under greater than ambient pressure, small boat operation in coastal waters, animal interactions, pathogens and chemicals.
- Exposure to slippery conditions and uneven surfaces.
- Exposure to changing weather conditions, rugged terrain and wild animals.
- Indoor, outdoor and underwater work, including field work.

**SALARY RANGE: $35 - $45 PER HOUR