Aquarist III - Dive Safety Officer (DSO)

Discovery World Ltd; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 60,174,000 - 64,472,000; Full time

Job summary

Discovery World Ltd. seeks an Aquarist III – Dive Safety Officer to lead the Reiman Aquarium Dive Program, maintain life support systems, and ensure staff safety. The role involves scheduling dives, training volunteers, and updating dive procedures. Strong background in marine science and SCUBA instruction is required.

Responsibilities include ensuring equipment is up to date, conducting dives in varied temperatures, and coordinating with Curator and staff for exhibits and educational programs.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience at Discovery World as an Aquarist or 5 years paid experience in another Aquarium or Zoo setting.
• Bachelor’s degree in marine or freshwater science with relevant certifications.
• Diver Instructor SCUBA certification and current CPR/First Aid/AED training.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate the Reiman Aquarium Dive Program.
• Update policies, procedures, and the Dive Manual yearly and as needed.
• Ensure all dive equipment is tested, calibrated, and inspected regularly.
• Lead training for volunteer divers, interns, and staff in CPR/AED/First Aid and safety.
• Schedule dives, maintain logs, and manage life support systems.

Skills

Diving safety training

Water quality testing

Public speaking

Animal care and husbandry

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Marine or Freshwater science

Diver Instructor SCUBA Certification

CPR/First Aid/AED training

Tools

SCUBA equipment maintenance

Life support systems knowledge

Job description

Job Title/Position: Aquarist lll – Dive Safety Officer (DSO)Reports to: General Aquarium CuratorSchedule: Full-Time; Tuesday – SaturdayAvailability to work weekends, holidays, and irregular hours subject to changePay Rate: $21.00-$22.50 per hour plus benefitsJOB SUMMARYFacilitate the day-to-day operations of the Reiman Aquarium within Discovery World Science + Technology Center.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other minor duties may be assigned.Work with and prepare diets for an assortment of fish, elasmobranchs, aquatic invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, misc. coral, crustaceans, jellyfish, and freshwater plantsEnsure optimal care for Aquarium or Terrarium animals and plants by testing water quality, performing water changes/changing out substrate, making saltwater as needed, and monitoring temperature and humidity levelsMonitor and maintain multiple exhibits and their life support systems; conduct backwashes, water changes, protein skimmer and pump maintenance, UV sterilizer routine maintenance, and moreHelp design and build exhibits and help select animals for the Aquarium. Assist with acquisition and transport as neededAssist with aquaculture, quarantine, and treatment procedures as directed by Curator and the Quarantine Specialist - Aquarist ll.Schedule, tend, emergency respond and dive for routine maintenance in warm and cold-water temperatures using equipment provided by Discovery World – Reiman Aquarium.Ensuring all Aquarium staff members and Volunteer divers are up to date on all required certifications and documentation and certifying Aquarium staff members and Volunteer divers on required certifications as needed.Work individually but also collaborate and coordinate with coworkers and Curator to complete shared responsibilities, such as daily opening and closing checklists, monthly/weekly checklists, and any other team projectsPerform biopsies, necropsies and administer medication under supervision of the Curator, Quarantine Specialist - Aquarist ll, or the Veterinarian, as neededFill out appropriate checklists and logs for animal acquisition, health, relocation, mortality, and routine maintenance as well as all dive logs and documents.Participate in public speaking programming, work with children, and perform tours, theatre shows, teach classes, and other educational opportunitiesHelp train and mentor new Interns on day-to-day operations as instructed by the Intern Coordinator Specialist – Aquarist llHelp train and mentor new Aquarist Assistants Volunteers as instructed by the Aquarist Assistant Volunteer Coordinator – Senior AquaristParticipate in weekly Aquarium, and monthly All-Staff meetingsAbility to open, close, run the day-to-day operations of the Aquarium alone, in the absence of the Curator and other Aquarists, when necessaryPerform all other duties as assignedADVANCED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESIn addition to Aquarist IIl jobs and responsibilities, Aquarist III will be expected to fulfill all or some of the following requirements.Communicate, implement, document, and organize the following program:Diver Operations as the Dive Safety Officer (DSO) and/or Dive Program and Dive Equipment Inventory Specialist.WORK ENVIRONMENTListed below are key points regarding work environment of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The normal setting for this job is in the Aquarium or in quarantine spaces.Physical effort in handling objects over 50lbs and repetitively carrying and lifting heavier itemsPhysical occupational risk exposure (such as cuts, burns, exposure to toxic chemicals, animal bites, and envenomation risk, etc.)Frequent walking, bending, kneeling, climbing ladders and stairs, etc.Exposure to environment which involve fresh and saltwater, dirt, odors, noise, a variance in hot and cold room temperatures, as well as diving in saltwater and freshwater exhibits of temperature between 60°F-84°FMotor coordination with finger dexterity most of the workdayJOB QUALIFICATIONSThe requirements listed below are representative of the qualifications necessary to perform the job.Education and ExperienceMinimum of 5 years of experience at Discovery World as an Aquarist or 5 years paid experience in another Aquarium and/or Zoo setting. Or a combination of 3 years at Discovery World plus 2 or more previous paid year(s) in another Aquarium and/or Zoo settingBachelor’s Degree in a Marine or Freshwater science related field, such as Biology, Ecology, Zoology, etc.Dive Instructor SCUBA Certification (At minimum a Master Diver Certification – But must be able to obtain an Instructor level Certification within 1 year of hire)Current CPR/First Aid/AED TrainingForklift Operation TrainedDAN Emergency Oxygen Provider CertificationValid Driver’s LicenseOther Knowledge, Skills, or AbilitiesKnowledge and use of basic hand tools, larger power tools, and plumbing with PVCLife Support Operations and the ability to perform and train others on maintaining the following equipmentBead, sand, and glass media filters and smaller filtration systems, UV sterilization, pumps, and plumbingKnowledge of Ozone in combination with life support and water quality and protein skimmer maintenanceWater quality and the ability to perform the following:Basic testing knowledge of Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Chlorine, dissolved oxygen, pH, Mg, Alk, Ca, and other water quality standards and testingAdvanced experience with Terrariums and Aquariums and working with fish, elasmobranchs, aquatic invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, misc. coral, crustaceans, jellyfish, and freshwater plantsAdvanced troubleshooting and problem-solving abilitiesCoral propagation and care experienceAquaculture and fish fry rearing/Cold-water Jellyfish aquaculture experienceLive insect culture breeding and care experienceDive Safety Officer (DSO) and/or Dive Program and Inventory Specialist Jobs and Responsibilities:Oversee and coordinate the Reiman Aquarium Dive ProgramUpdate all policies, procedures, and the Dive Manual yearly and as neededEnsure all dive equipment is up to date on proper testing, calibrations, and inspectionsKeep and maintain an inventory of all dive equipment, dive, and maintenance logsKeep and maintain a log for, and perform routine maintenance for the SCUBA tank air compressor, ensuring Air Quality tests are being done as scheduledAct as main point of contact for all Volunteer Divers, ensuring they are all up to date on current policies and procedures, medical forms, and other required forms as they relate to the Reiman Aquarium and its Dive ProgramSchedule and make a monthly calendar for all dives in the AquariumEnsure the dive area, dive shower area, dive cart, etc. are kept clean and organizedOversee all diver training of all new and current Volunteer Divers, Interns, and Aquarium Staff membersLead the Discovery World and Aquarium staff in CPR/AED/First Aid and Emergency Oxygen Provider classes and certifications as needed (bi-annually)Ensure all SCUBA tanks and emergency spare airs are being properly taken care of, inspected, tested, and filled regularly along with all other required dive gear and equipment