Back to jobs
Regional hiringpublishedExternal employer
PZPittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium
Pittsburgh Zoo and AquariumZoo & Aquarium

Dive Safety Officer

Location

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Work type

Onsite

Employment

Full Time

Experience

3-7 years

Compensation

$50K - $50K per year

Posted

6h ago

Summary and responsibilities

Role overview

Summary

This role involves leading and managing all dive operations and safety protocols for the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. The Dive Safety Officer will train and supervise staff and volunteer divers, maintain dive equipment, and ensure compliance with regulatory agencies while supporting animal care and public education programs.

Position Title: Dive Safety Officer
Department: Aquarium
Reports To: Curator & Assistant Curator
FLSA Status: Exempt

Purpose

Serve as the Aquarium's lead diving professional, overseeing safe and compliant dive operations while supporting animal care, exhibit maintenance, staff training, volunteer management, and public engagement. Ensure all diving activities align with Zoo policies and applicable regulatory and accreditation standards.

Essential Job Functions

  • Manage and oversee daily diving operations in collaboration with Curatorial staff.

  • Develop, implement, and maintain dive safety policies, procedures, manuals, training programs, and emergency response protocols in compliance with OSHA, AAUS, ADPA, AZA, and other applicable standards.

  • Recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and mentor volunteer divers; coordinate monthly dive team meetings and serve on the Dive Control Board.

  • Train staff and volunteers to safely conduct exhibit maintenance, educational programs, demonstrations, and special events.

  • Support animal care by assisting with underwater husbandry, medical procedures, exhibit inspections, maintenance, repairs, and dive tending as required.

  • Ensure biosecurity and safe animal handling practices under Curatorial and Veterinary guidance.

  • Perform inspections, maintenance, repair, inventory, and procurement of SCUBA equipment, compressors, breathing air systems, cylinders, regulators, BCDs, full-face masks, communications equipment, and other dive gear.

  • Operate and maintain SCUBA air compressors, fill cylinders, and coordinate breathing air quality testing.

  • Maintain accurate records including dive logs, equipment maintenance, certifications, medical clearances, incident reports, and risk management documentation.

  • Conduct quarterly emergency drills, maintain annual updates of the Dive Operations Manual, and provide emergency response training.

  • Assist with dive program budgeting, staff development, educational initiatives, sustainability programs, and public outreach.

  • Stay current with industry standards, equipment, and best practices through continuing education and professional development.

  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

  • High School diploma or GED.

  • Three (3) years of full-time equivalent professional SCUBA diving experience.

  • Current Dive Instructor (or higher) certification from a World Recreational SCUBA Training Council (WRSTC) agency.

  • Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in an aquarium, zoo, science center, or similar facility.

  • Experience supervising dive programs and volunteers.

  • Experience maintaining dive equipment, compressors, and exhibits.

  • Experience developing dive manuals, protocols, and safety programs.

  • Visual Cylinder Inspection certification and manufacturer-specific equipment service certifications.

  • Experience in aquatic animal husbandry, field collection, and public education.

Special Requirements

  • Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.

  • Wear required personal protective equipment.

  • Subject to pre-employment physical, mandatory drug testing, and ongoing safety requirements.

  • Maintain First Aid, CPR, and AED certification (within six months of hire if not already certified).

  • Must pass and maintain dive medical clearance.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

  • Knowledge of dive safety, SCUBA certification standards, diving physiology, equipment maintenance, recordkeeping, and OSHA/AAUS/ADPA/AZA requirements.

  • Skilled in SCUBA equipment assembly, maintenance, compressor operation, exhibit maintenance, dive tending, and use of shop tools.

  • Ability to write procedures, maintain accurate records, solve problems, organize data, communicate effectively, lead and train staff and volunteers, and interact professionally with guests.

Physical Requirements

  • Ability to lift up to 60 lbs.

  • Successfully pass and maintain required dive physical and medical clearance.

  • Ability to perform prolonged underwater work in varying environmental conditions.

Updated 6h ago

Candidate fit

Skills and qualifications

Additional skills

SCUBA Diving • 1+ yrs
Dive Safety Management • 1+ yrs
Equipment Maintenance • 1+ yrs
Training & Development • 1+ yrs
Regulatory Compliance • 1+ yrs
Record Keeping • 1+ yrs
Emergency Response Planning • 1+ yrs
Budget Management • 1+ yrs

Experience

3-7 years

Certifications

SCUBA certification of Dive Instructor or higher • Required
Driver's License • Required
First-Aid • Required
CPR • Required
AED use • Required

How this role is positioned

Role classification

Job domains

Operations

Industries

Wildlife & Conservation

Employment

Full Time

Contract duration

Permanent

Hiring type

Direct

Global hiring

Location specific

Offer details

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

$50K - $50K per year

VisibilityShared on listing
CurrencyUSD
PeriodYearly

Location, schedule, and role shape

Work setup

Work conditions

Primary locationPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Work typeOnsite
Global hiringNo

Bandwidth profile

peopleHigh8/10
physicalHigh9/10
cognitiveHigh8/10
executionHigh9/10
creativityMedium6/10
uncertaintyMedium7/10
communicationHigh8/10

Context on the employer

Company snapshot

Company

Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium

Team size

Growing team

Location

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium

Visit website

Dive Safety Officer

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United StatesFull Time