The Dive Safety Officer (DSO) is responsible for overseeing all aspects of ZooTampa’s dive program, ensuring the safety, training, and compliance of staff and volunteer divers. This contract-based position manages dive operations, equipment maintenance, and regulatory adherence in alignment with AAUS, OSHA, and AZA standards. The DSO serves as lead supervisor for exhibit dives, develops and enforces dive policies, maintains dive records, and ensures emergency readiness. By combining technical expertise with strong leadership, the DSO supports the Zoo’s mission through safe, efficient, and effective aquatic operations.
Principal Responsibilities
- Ensure the safety and well-being of ZooTampa’s dive team (staff and volunteers) during all diving operations.
- Develop, maintain, and enforce diving policies, procedures, and protocols (including Dive Control Board oversight and dive manual updates).
- Conduct diver training, certification upgrades, and requalification courses.
- Coordinate dive schedules with husbandry and aquatic staff, aligning maintenance, cleaning, and exhibit dive needs.
- Maintain, inspect, and repair dive equipment; manage inventory, service logs, and replacement planning.
- Serve as the lead dive supervisor/Team Leader for exhibit dives, including cleaning, habitat inspections, and husbandry support.
- Oversee emergency and first aid equipment readiness; maintain and review dive emergency response protocols and drills.
- Administer overall dive program operations, including the Dive Control Board (DCB), approval of dive plans, incident review, and compliance monitoring.
- Perform annual reviews and updates to dive manuals, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and safety documentation.
- Assist in recruiting and onboarding a replacement DSO upon contract conclusion, ensuring knowledge transfer.
- Perform additional duties related to the Zoo’s dive program (e.g., support special events, coordination with exhibit maintenance) as assigned.
- Qualifications and Experience
- Instructor‐level scuba certification (PADI, NAUI, SSI, GUE, or comparable recognized agency).
- Proven experience in dive safety management, preferably within a zoological, aquarium, or aquatic institution.
- Background in dive instruction, scuba gear maintenance, CPR/First Aid/O2 instruction, and familiarity with AAUS or scientific diving standards.
- Thorough understanding of OSHA, AAUS, AZA, and other regulatory frameworks relevant to dive programs.
- Strong organizational, record-keeping, and communication skills (written and oral).
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and maintain meticulous dive logs, certification records, and safety reports.
- Must provide business permits, liability insurance, or proof of appropriate contractor status.
- Certification in gear maintenance (Oceanic and OTS), cylinder inspection, valve maintenance, and compressor operations required.
- Experience with specialized gear: tethered diving systems, full-face masks, underwater communication, and surface-supplied systems preferred.
- DAN Diving First Aid for Professional Divers (DFA Pro) certification; instructor status strongly preferred.
Other
- This position is required to be on ZooTampa property two days minimum per month.
- Compensation will be processed monthly via invoice submission.
- This is an independent contractor role; no entitlement to ZooTampa employee benefits (e.g., health insurance, travel reimbursement).
- Contractor must maintain all required certifications, insurances, and documentation throughout the contract term.
