Assistant Dive Safety Officer

Adpa; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Parks Tacoma is hiring for a represented full-time dive program position focused on supporting and leading the Aquarium Dive Program and related activities. You will work with Dive Safety Officers to ensure safety and engaging educational experiences for the public.

The role requires leadership in diving, completion of required PDZA dive qualifications, and hands-on maintenance of dive equipment. Public outreach and accuracy in reporting are essential components of this role.

Qualifications

• Must possess leadership level dive experience (Divemaster or higher) and logged a minimum of 50 dives in Washington or similar cold water environment.
• Pass diving requirements of PDZA.
• Must have regulator repair experience in overhauling piston first stage regulators and unbalanced second stages.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and coordination of the daily operations of the Aquarium Dive Program and related activities.
• Instruct participants on the technical and safety aspects of the dive programs.
• Provide messaging on shark biology and conservation issues to dive program participants.
• Maintain PDZA dive equipment and records regarding equipment and air quality.

Skills

Divemaster certification

Dive leadership

Regulator repair

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology, zoology or related field

Job description

Salary

$30.78 – $38.23 Hourly

Location

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, WA

Job Type

Career Full-time Represented

Department

Zoological and Environmental Education

Division

PDZA Animal Care

Opening Date

09/01/2026

Closing Date

9/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description

Based on our internal equity review, the starting hourly wage for this position will be $30.78.
The full-salary range for this position is$30.78– $38.23per hour.

Work where you play!
Join our team at Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.
Who We Are Parks Tacoma is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Tacoma Parks's mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.
Why You’ll Love it Here Come work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Parks Tacoma are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. You’ll receive a competitive wage, along with an attractive benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, vacation, holidays, and much more. On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

Position Information
Under the direction of the Aquarium Curator and Dive Safety Officer(s), assist in planning and coordination of the daily operations of the Aquarium Dive Program, Eye to Eye Shark Dive Program and related activities. Perform a variety of semi-skilled duties for the South Pacific and Pacific Seas Aquariums involved in the care, observation, maintenance, propagation and management of assigned aquarium animal species and the presentation of such species to the general public in an educational and attractive manner.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
• Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.

Essential Duties

Implement routine daily aspects of Eye to Eye Shark dive program.

Work with the Dive Safety Officers to enact any new SOPS, maintain current SOPS, and deal with any safety issues.

Coordinate regular training and drills for ETE staff in the areas of safety, animal behavior, visitor enjoyment and educational programming.

Maintenance of PDZA dive equipment.

Perform maintenance of dive compressor, train ETE staff on proper filling operations in compliance with OSHA standards.

Maintain records and reports regarding equipment, air quality, visitor and staff injury.

Provide messaging on shark biology and conservation issues to dive program participants.

Communicate with the public, answer questions and perform narrated dive events.

Instruct participants on the technical and safety aspects of the dive programs.

Guide participants safely through dive program experiences.

Personalize public dive experiences with humor and educational information.

Clean wetsuits, drysuits, bathing suits, dive gear and dive facility after dive programs.

Provide upkeep of dive building and dive-equipment storage areas

Assist participants with sizing and if need be fitting into drysuits and other equipment.

Film, edit and duplicate videos of the dive.

Participate in exhibit dives to fulfill the husbandry needs of individual exhibits and holding spaces, and the overall goals of the aquarium.

Observe animal species during dives and otherwise to determine physical and behavioral health and well-being; report observations as appropriate.

Assist with routine aquatic animal husbandry tasks to include cleaning, feeding and enrichment for exhibits and holding areas. Move and remove animal species to different areas or exhibits as determined by proper care, feeding and safety methods.

Assist with performing routine maintenance and minor repair of animal exhibits and related systems, ensuring a healthy environment and presentation of animals in an attractive manner.

Participate in field dives and collecting trips to meet the collection and fieldwork needs of the aquarium.

Operate a motorized vehicle to travel to multiple locations to carry out essential duties. Adhere to all driving laws and safety rules.
Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Must possess leadership level dive experience, such as Divemaster, Rescue Diver, Assistant Instructor or Instructor certification, Lead diver classification at an Scientific Dive organization, SNUBA guiding experience, Public Safety Diver training, CMAS 2 * diver, etc Must have logged a minimum of 50 dives in Washington or a similar cold water environment.
• Pass diving requirements of PDZA.
• Must have regulator repair experience in overhauling piston first stage regulators and unbalanced second stages.

Preferred:

• Oceanic and OTS Guardian full face mask technician.
• Experience diving in and giving presentations using full face masks.
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology or related field, or related experience.
• Any combination equivalent to: One year experience involving the care and husbandry of animals in a zoo, aquarium, theme park or related environment, preferably in an AZA accredited facility.
• Boating experience.

LICENSE & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Possess a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record (a current driving abstract will be requested during the reference process at applicant’s expense.)
• Must have the ability to obtain a valid First Aid and CPR Card within the probationary period.
• Must be willing to work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Must have the ability to obtain WA state Boaters Card with the probationary period
• Ability to use basic functions in Microsoft Word, Power Point , Outlook and Excel.

Additional Information

This position is a represented position with the International Union of Operating Engineers.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

• Lifting heavy objects, up to 50 pounds.
• Pushing, climbing, walking, kneeling and crouching to work.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate specialized equipment and tools.
• Must be able to lift and carry dive gear as necessary for completion of dives.
• Must be able to assist visitors with dive gear.
• Must be able to fill and move scuba cylinders.
• Repetitive SCUBA dives on a daily basis

ENVIRONMENT/HAZARDS

• Indoor, cold, wet underwater environment; Chemicals, fumes, odors, poor ventilation and noise.
• Contact with dissatisfied visitors.
• Work environment with potentially dangerous and sick animals.
• Exposure to animal fecal matter.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Leadership level principles of dive physics, physiology, equipment and safe diving practices
• Special needs and limitations of diving and SCUBA program users.
• Proper routine care of dive equipment
• Usage of small tools
• Working with the general public in a positive manner for excellent visitor experiences
• Learn to interpret, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Train and provide feedback to others

ABILITY TO:

• Communicate clearly verbally and in writing
• Perform emergency first aid and CPR as needed and according to established guidelines
• Lead any dive accident or participant emergency response.
• Organize groups, make schedules, and give presentations
• Provide positive feedback and opportunities for growth for dive team members following simulated emergencies or observed public programs or dives.
• Assess and evaluate situations effectively
• Exert optimal effort and follow through in successfully completing tasks
• Take initiative with minimal supervision.
• Extract and record data and carry out calculations accurately
• Set up and operate equipment that can require selection from options or different settings.
• Manage time efficiently and effectively through scheduling and prioritizing
• Work within and contribute to the effectiveness of a team, respecting differences.
• Report for work regularly and on time.

PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

Parks Tacoma employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Parks Tacoma is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resources at [e-mail].

Employment is subject to a national background check.

OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW (more detailed information can be found at Parks Tacoma Benefit Information)

Life Insurance: Provided at no cost to the employee through Unum, amount is equal to annual salary up to $275,000. Benefits will reduce at age 70.

Retirement Plan: All employees are covered under the Public Employees’ Retirement System through the Washington State Department of Retirement Services (DRS).

Medical Coverage and Dental Coverage: Parks Tacoma pays 90% of the total cost of medical/dental coverage for employees and their dependents. Coverage begins the first of the month following the date of employment. Medical coverage is offered through Kaiser. Dental options include Delta Dental Service and Willamette Dental.

Health Care and Day Care Reimbursement Accounts: A benefit plan that allows you to pay for health care or dependent care expenses with before tax dollars.

Deferred Compensation (457 plan): Optional employee paid retirement savings plans are available through Empower, MissionSquare, and WA State Deferred Comp Program.

Paid Holidays for career employees: New Years Day, Martin Luther King’s Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, Two Floating Holidays are granted after successful completion of the probationary period

Vacation: 8 hours earned monthly.

Sick Leave:8 hours earned monthly.

Employee Assistance Program(EAP) – SupportLinc provides emotional wellbeing and work-life balance resources to keep you at your best. Administered by CuraLinc Healthcare, the program offers guidance to help you address and resolve everyday issues at no cost to you or your family.

Community Center Fitness Pass – All Parks Tacoma employees get a Staff Pass to use at our community centers . The All Center Pass allows access to all four centers – Center at Norpoint, Eastside Community Center, People’s Center and STAR Center.

Did you know… Benefits at Parks Tacoma include more than the great options for medical, dental and vision. There is so much more to our overall compensation package. Here are a few highlights

• Beyond Medical, Dental and Vision: All medical plans include Naturopathy, Massage therapy and Chiropractic care (some restrictions apply). See benefits summaries for more information.
• An Ounce of Prevention is Better Than a Pound of Cure: Stay ahead of the game by taking advantage of the quality preventative care our plans have to offer. Preventative care is covered at 100% so you are not charged the deductible or pay co-insurance for preventative care. See benefits summaries for more information.
• Tax Free Health Accounts: Parks Tacoma offers Flexible Spending Account options that allow you to set aside money on a pretax basis for out of pocket medical and/or childcare expenses. Sign up at the start of the year with open enrollment. If you have chosen the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), you will receive a Health Savings Account with an employer provided contribution. Check out benefits page for more information.
• Be Ready for Retirement: Retirement plan options include the required PERS contributions AND also several Deferred Compensation Plan (457 plan) Options. Retirement savings can help you set yourself up for success now (lowering your federal income tax threshold through savings on a pre-tax basis) and later. Check out benefits page for more information.
• Everyone Needs a Helping Hand: Employee Assistance Program – this program offers confidential, professional AND FREE 24/7 resources to all Parks Tacoma employees. The program offers resources for things like: counseling, legal and financial services, ID theft victim resources, Daily living information, elder and child care, stress reduction tools, website access, newsletters, webinars and more.
• Preparing for the Unexpected: Life Insurance & Accidental Death/Dismemberment Insurance is paid for by MPT and at no cost career employees . The amount is equal to your annual salary up to $200k. Check out benefits page for more information.
• Getting Fit: Fitness Center Pass – ALL Parks Tacoma employees are eligible to use our fitness facilities and even participate in many class at various community centers for FREE!
• Checking Out All That Parks Tacoma Offers the Community: Employees are provided an annual familiarization pass that becomes their passport to explore a variety of opportunities available throughout the District.
• Supporting Work/Life Balance: Alternative Work Arrangements – Some positions have the option to remote work upon meeting requirements. This is a great benefit as it allows Parks Tacoma to reduce our carbon footprint and employees to achieve better work/life balance.
• Taking a Break: All Parks Tacoma employees receive sick leave and career employees receive excellent Sick, Vacation and Holiday leave packages