Exhibits Technician III Dive Safety Officer #01338 City of Virginia Beach Job Description Date of Last Revision: 05-11-2018 FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Pay Plan: General Grade: 20 City of Virginia Beach Organizational Mission & Values The City of Virginia Beach exists to enhance the economic, educational, social and physical quality of the community and provide sustainable municipal services which are valued by its citizens. The City of Virginia Beach organization is based upon a belief in the democratic process of government. This belief provides meaningful ways for citizens, reflecting the diversity of our City, to contribute to the development of public policy. This process is enhanced by organizational values which guide member performance within the Virginia Beach Quality Service System. These Values define our desired organizational culture. We value quality customer service; teamwork; leadership and learning; integrity; commitment; and inclusion and diversity. Class Summary Assist the Curator Manager in the development, operations, and management of the Virginia Aquarium s dive programs to meet the mission and objectives of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. Representative Work Functions and Responsibilities Collaborating with senior level animal husbandry staff, this is a working diver position that functions as the Virginia Aquarium s principal diving manager under the Curator Manager. Lead the development of all diving operations and safety protocols, procedures, and training to ensure compliance with all regulatory agencies and accrediting organizations including but not limited to; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), the Association of Dive Program Administrators (ADPA), and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Participate in the recruitment, organization, training, supervision, and scheduling of the volunteer divers. Working with the volunteer resources section to serve as the liaison to the dive volunteers, lead monthly dive team meetings to build and maintain a cohesive team, and serve on the Virginia Aquarium Dive Control Board (DCB). Train staff and volunteer divers in order to build a competent bench of divers to safely handle all aspects of the Aquarium s diving activities including exhibit maintenance, demonstrations, educational programs and special events, even when Dive Safety Officer is not present. Follow all protocols to ensure biosecurity and safe handling of animals, under the supervision of the Curator Manager, Veterinary and Curatorial staff. Collaborate with the Aquarium Veterinarian, Curatorial and/or animal care staff to assist with in-water animal husbandry, medical procedures, or exhibit maintenance when necessary. Serve as dive-tender when necessary.. Inspect exhibits, and plans, coordinates, and supervises daily system maintenance activities and performs underwater repairs as needed. Assist with the development and execution of dynamic educational and sustainability programs that serve to enhance animal care, animal management, visitor experience, and support the Aquarium s mission.
Perform routine inspections and inventory of SCUBA regulators, air cylinders, hookah and surfacesupplied systems, full-face masks, buoyancy control devices, wetsuits, fins, dive-related life safety equipment, communications and other dive related gear and equipment. Perform preventative maintenance,repairs and orders equipment. Maintain SCUBA air compressor, fill SCUBA cylinders, and coordinate required breathing air analysis tests to ensure supplied air meets established quality/purity standards. Keeps equipment and work areas in a neat, operational, organized, and sanitary condition. Assist Curator Manager with developing and managing dive program budget. Maintain detailed up-to-date dive program records including but not limited to; equipment maintenance logs, and training and risk management logs. Keep Aquarium divers apprised of their certification status to comply with dive safety and fitness qualifications in accordance with the City of Virginia Beach Occupational Safety and Health Services and Risk Management standards. Maintain certification records, liability releases, incident reports and medical forms adhering to privacy and security mandates. Ensures dive logs are maintained according to regulatory and accreditation requirements. Administer quarterly dive emergency training drills. Review and edit the dive safety manual as needed and ensure the publication and distribution of the dive operations manual on an annual basis to all dive staff and volunteers. Train staff to respond to dive related emergency procedures. Functions as Dive Master as needed to support Aquarium field dive activities and collecting efforts. Work with the captain of the Aquarium s vessels to develop safe diving operations. Follow all federal, state, and local maritime regulations and will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing. Maintain knowledge of current diving industry standards, physiology, equipment and techniques to ensure the Aquarium s compliance with all relevant safety, regulatory, and accreditation standards. May be required to travel to attend training sessions and dive industry trade shows. May supervise subordinate Exhibit Technicians,part time employees and volunteers. Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described or less. Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on current workloads and department needs. Performance Standards Perform all dive related procedures, monitoring, and maintenance work with limited supervision from senior staff; schedule and manage all area, volunteer, and staff responsibilities in an organized positive manner, compile reports and records with a satisfactory degree of accuracy, works proactively with other managers to integrate dive operations into animal care, facility maintenance, and public relations in a safe manner, effectively communicate the Aquarium s mission to the general public. Minimum Qualifications High School or GED plus four (4) years experience in a field such as aquarium, zoo, or science center diver which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must possess current SCUBA certification of Dive Instructor or higher from a nationally recognized certifying agency. Must have, or obtain, a current and valid Virginia or North Carolina driver s license in accordance with Virginia or North Carolina DMV driver s license eligibility requirements. Page 2 of 6
Preferred Qualifications Dive program supervisory and management experience. Experience maintaining and managing dive equipment, experience repairing exhibits, experience developing and writing dive protocols/manuals, experience communicating to the public, certified visual cylinder inspection and manufacturer specific diving equipment inspection/repair experience, experience leading field collecting dive operations, aquatic animal husbandry experience. Special Requirements Must be available to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime when required to meet operational needs. This position may require that incumbents to wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, safety footwear, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, or other safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk. Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by the employee s supervisor based on position assigned. This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to mandatory drug testing. Positive drug test results may result in counseling and/or discipline, up to and including, termination. Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City s operational status. This position requires the incumbent to remain certified in First-Aid, CPR and AED use. If not already trained, this training must be obtained within 6 months of employment. Successful completion of a pre-employment physical, and annual physical upon hire. Knowledge-Skills-Abilities Required to Perform Satisfactorily A. Knowledge 1. Knowledge of safe diving practices and identification of unsafe diving practices. 2. Knowledge of SCUBA certification requirements. 3. Knowledge of methods for SCUBA activities related record keeping. 4. Knowledge of diving safety standards as determined by OSHA, AAUS, ADPA, AZA and / or other SCUBA accrediting agencies. 5. Knowledge of diving physiology. 6. Knowledge of Dive Safety Manuals. 7. Knowledge of dive/ SCUBA equipment inspections and maintenance procedures. 8. Knowledge of marine animal species identification. B. Skills 1. Skill in dive/scuba equipment maintenance. 2. Skill in correct assembly and disassembly of SCUBA gear. 3. Skill in use of small hand tools as well as basic shop tools. 4. Skill in safely operating dive gear. 5. Skill in safely operating SCUBA compressors. 6. Skill in exhibit maintenance. 7. Skill in dive tending. 8. Skill in animal collecting. C. Abilities 1. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 2. Ability to problem solve in assigned area. 3. Ability to maintain detailed records. 4. Ability to organize research reports and other types of data. Page 3 of 6
5. Ability to write procedures and protocols. 6. Ability to follow directions and maintain effective working relationships with Aquarium staff and other groups or organizations with which the Aquarium has contact. 7. Ability to effectively train and lead dive staff, volunteers, and interns. 8. Ability to effectively communicate with guests of the Aquarium in both formal and informal settings. Page 4 of 6
Working Conditions The below stated working conditions are intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of positions in the noted job title. A more detailed description will be made available at the position (PCN) level. NOTE: Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City s business. Physical Requirements: Physical refers to the requirement for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement. Medium to heavy work that involves walking, standing, bending, stooping, climbing, lifting, pushing, pulling and raising objects, and involves exerting up to 75 pounds of force on a regular and reoccurring basis; may require exerting up to 100 pounds of force on occasions; may require lifting greater than 40 pounds routinely; considerable skill and adeptness in the use of the fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving close tolerance or limits of accuracy. This position works in or around water extensively and requires that the incumbant posses strong swimming abilities and be able to maintain fitness sufficient that they can swim unassisted and in emergent situations, be able to respond to assist others in distress. Mental Requirements: Mental refers to the degree that the job involves cognitive activities, and use of mental processes Performs specialized technical or professional work requiring general understanding of operating policies and procedures and their application to problems not previously encountered; applies specialized technical or professional principles and practices in the solution of problems; may require continuous, close attention for accurate results and frequent exposure to unusual pressure. Environmental Conditions: Environmental refers to job conditions inherent to the job setting, including those that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken. May risk exposure to animals/wildlife to include exposure to animal bites, stings, scratches, and zoonotic diseases; may be exposed to venomous and non-venomous animals, insects, fishes, amphibians, arthropods and other species of organisms; work may be performed outdoors, indoors, in or under water, under all types of weather conditions with exposure bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, noise, vibration, fumes, odors, traffic, moving machinery, electrical shock, toxic or caustic chemicals, and height. Page 5 of 6
Sensory Requirements: Sensory refers to hearing, sight, touch, taste, and smell required by the job. Normal visual acuity, depth perception, field of vision, color perception, hearing, speaking, sense of smell, and texture perception. Page 6 of 6