Newport Aquarium Dive Tech - Part Time

Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation; Newport (KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick PTO 24 hours annually

Profit Sharing & 401K Plan

Free admission for you and dependents

General admission ticket per payPeriod

Discounts at onsite venues

Training and development

Job summary

Newport Aquarium, part of Herschend Enterprises, seeks a skilled Dive Maintenance Diver to coordinate pre-dive planning, set up and maintain dive equipment, and execute maintenance tasks. You will lead briefings, monitor on-site dives, and ensure compliance with safety manuals while collaborating with staff and volunteers.

The role requires Rescue Diver certification, 200+ logged dives, CPR/First Aid, and strong communication.

Qualifications

• Minimum Rescue Diver certification from a recognized diver training organization; Divemaster/Instructor preferred.
• 200 logged dives; aquarium diving experience preferred.
• CPR and First Aid Certifications; 02 Provider preferred.
• Strong knowledge of diving theory and safe diving practices.
• Identify dive equipment issues requiring inspection/repair.
• Team player with ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Strong written and verbal communication; interpersonal skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office; must work in Excel.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Flexible schedule including weekends/evenings/holidays; Thurs–Sun availability preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare the dive day by coordinating dive schedule, staff schedule, and volunteer coordination websites; pull staff/volunteer logbooks and complete pre-dive paperwork.
• Set up maintenance equipment prior to maintenance dives.
• Develop a dive plan to execute maintenance tasks.
• Conduct dive briefs with staff and volunteers covering tasks, hazards, and emergency plans.
• Monitor dive maintenance tasks on-site to ensure completion and documentation.
• Ensure procedures are followed and provide coaching and audits for compliance with the Dive Safety Manual.
• File incident, witness, and near-miss reports with DSO and Safety Supervisor.
• Execute emergency response plans and act as primary responder during diving emergencies.
• Debrief after dives; communicate health/safety or animal welfare issues to the appropriate teams.
• Remove equipment after dives and store/clean tools; update logs in online databases and Excel.
• Perform maintenance diver duties when not supervising; includes cleaning, vacuuming, acrylic care, and installation work.
• Operate air compressor and fill scuba cylinders; maintain dive equipment inventory.
• Carry out general housekeeping and assist ACT with non-diving tasks as needed.
• Pursue OSHA regulations and ADPA best practices for aquarium dive operations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Rescue Diver

Divemaster

Assistant Instructor

Instructor

CPR/First Aid

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Valid driver's license

Tools

MS Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Preparing the dive day by consulting with the dive schedule, staff schedule and volunteer coordination website, pulling logbooks for staff and volunteers and filling out pre-dive paperwork.
• Setting up all maintenance equipment prior to scheduled maintenance dives.
• Develop a dive plan to execute required maintenance tasks.
• Conduct dive briefs with staff and volunteer maintenance divers, consisting of required maintenance tasks, recognized hazards and emergency response plans.
• Active on-site monitoring of dive maintenance tasks, ensuring maintenance is completed and recorded.
• Ensure all procedures are followed, providing coaching and audits on divers not following the procedures set forth in the aquarium’s Dive Safety Manual.
• File incident, witness and near‑miss reports with the Dive Safety Officer (DSO) and Property Safety Supervisor.
• Execute emergency response plans and act as the primary responder during diving emergencies, including in‑water rescue if required.
• Conduct a debrief, post dive with staff and volunteer maintenance divers. Communicating any diver health/safety issues to the Dive Safety Officer (DSO) and any animal welfare or behavior issues to the Animal Care Team (ACT) point of contact.
• Ensure all dive equipment and maintenance tools are removed from the exhibit, cleaned and properly stored post dive.
• Conduct post dive paperwork and logbook entries. Working with online databases and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.
• Perform the role of a maintenance diver when not supervising diving activities, which includes scrubbing both manually and mechanically, underwater vacuuming, acrylic cleaning, festival sculpture installations, acting as a safety diver and waste collection and disposal.
• Operate our breathing air compressor and filling scuba cylinders.
• Help maintain inventory and status of dive, maintenance and emergency response equipment.
• Perform general housekeeping duties, including organizing, cleaning, scrubbing, power washing and waste disposal.
• Become proficient in OSHA commercial diving regulations and Association of Dive Program Administrators (ADPA) best practices as they pertain to aquarium dive operations.
• Assist Animal Care Team (ACT) with non‑diving responsibilities as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of Rescue Diver certification from a recognized diver training organization. Divemaster, Assistant Instructor or Instructor preferred.
• A minimum of 200 logged dives of Scuba Diving experience. Aquarium diving experience preferred.
• CPR and First Aid Certifications. 02 Provider preferred.
• Strong knowledge of diving theory and safe diving practices, with the ability identify hazards before they become incidents.
• The ability to identify dive equipment issues requiring equipment to be pulled from active service for certified technician inspection/repair.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team in a constantly changing environment.
• Perform tasks with minimum supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills, especially the ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office. Must be able to work in Microsoft Excel.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule which will include weekends, evenings, and holidays.
  • We are seeking candidates with some availability on Thurs, Fri, Sat, and/or Sun

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Successful completion of pre‑employment drug screening, background check, and dive physical release.
• In good health and capable of performing strenuous and/or heavy physical labor.
• No history of allergy related to animals or plants, which might interfere with ability to work.
• Ability to remain on feet for long periods of time, climb stairs, bend and stoop.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions.
• No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch, balance and agility of movement which might interfere with ability to work.
• Physical strength, including the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Immunocompetence (possible exposure to infections, zoonotic and parasitic disease).

Note:Position will involve exposure to inclement weather, dust, potentially dangerous and unpredictable animal species, and potentially dangerous machinery, restraint devices and toxic chemicals and/or drugs. Occasional use of protective clothing or equipment is required. (e.g. goggles, mask, gloves, and gowns)

WHAT YOU’LL GET:

• 24 hours of Sick PTO Annually
• Profit Sharing and 401K Plan with company match
• Free entrance for you and your dependents which extends to most Herschend Enterprises’ properties
• Earn 1 General Admission complimentary ticket, that you can give to anyone, per pay period
• Discounts at Sharky’s Café, Sweet Dreams Candy Company, and the gift shop
• Discounted tickets and annual passes for friends and family
• Training and development

You can expect to work on projects that have never been done before – ideas that are unproven, and concepts that make people smile. You can expect to have fun and be treated with respect the minute you start…and through to the end. You can expect to work in an environment that is highly innovative and low in politics – truthful and filled with smart people; all while providing the BEST GUEST EXPERIENCE IN THE NATION!

And most of all, you can expect to work hard and make a difference in our world by helping to bring families closer together.

Looking to pursue your education without debt? Grow U has hundreds of programs available from certifications to college prep to associates, bachelor's, and master’s degrees. Most of these programs are fully funded. Learn more at: https://www.newportaquarium.com/Careers/Benefits/GrowU

Newport Aquarium, one of the many properties owned by Herschend Enterprises, prides itself on creating memories worth repeating. Our Core Values – greatly exceeding guest expectations, serving others, creating emotional connections, and constantly improving – give us purpose and guidance.

Qualifications

Skills

Preferred

Microsoft Office

Some Knowledge

Interpersonal Skills

Intermediate

Behaviors

Preferred

Functional Expert

Considered a thought leader on a subject

Detail Oriented

Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Motivations

Preferred

Ability to Make an Impact

Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Flexibility

Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

Drivers License

First Aid/CPR

Equal Opportunity Employer
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