Interpretation Diving Coordinator

The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is looking for an Interpretation-Diving Coordinator (IDC) to join the visitor engagement (VE) team.  The IDC will lead the VE dive operations program for the team. In addition, this position supports daily, non-diving operations of the entire VE team along with two other coordinators. This position will collaborate with the dive safety program to make sure VE divers are up to date on all dive position requirements, including certifications and proficiencies.  In collaboration with the VE leadership team, this position will support staff and program development to create greater impact and connection with the Seattle Aquariums mission and values. 

Key Functions: 

Daily operations, supervisory responsibilities, and program development are approximately 80% of responsibilities.

• Supervise and mentor VE interpretation staff and volunteers including training and evaluation of performance, coaching support, staff development as well as approval of timesheets and vacation requests etc.  
• Systems design and innovation:  Coordinate dive related operational activities for the visitor engagement team in collaboration with others.  Shape with equity, accessibility, and mission centered creativity, implementing and improving our systems, documents, procedures, processes and programs.    
• Recruitment and retention:  Assist with hiring, initial training and ongoing professional development of staff.  
• Point person for programmatic evaluation in conjunction with the other coordinators and manager  
• Participate on the Dive Control Board.
• Collaborate with the Philanthropy Office in support of dreaming of and advocating for compelling and creative grant opportunities.    
• All Aquarium staff and volunteers are expected to participate in advancing and integrating into their work Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Regenerative practices in alignment with our S.A.L.I.S.H. Values.

Marine Science Interpretive work ~20% of responsibilities.

• Support the volunteer engagement team, including supervising volunteers on the exhibit floor and participating in new volunteer training and continued education opportunities. 
• Anticipate needs of visitors and volunteers, addressing barriers to participation for BIPOC, LGBT and disability communities in an effort to create an inclusive community. For example, incorporate equitable and inclusive learning opportunities into volunteer enrichments and interpretive presentations with guests.  
• Prepare and deliver formal interpretive talks and hands-on activities to visitors and school/tour groups; adapt communication style to meet guests’ varying needs and interests.  
• As part of the VE team, coordinate and communicate openly with coworkers from all Aquarium departments, contribute to maintenance and organization of supplies, props, and exhibits, and participate in regular meetings & program focus groups as needed.
• Provide dive related coverage for evening events and exhibit maintenance when needed.  
• Other duties as assigned.  

Diving Responsibilities and Requirements:  

Scientific Diver - This scientific diving classification allows for participation in surface-supplied and open-circuit diving as a diver or dive tender within Seattle Aquarium exhibits and in the field.

To qualify for evaluation as a Seattle Aquarium diver, candidates must meet the following general criteria:

• Possess a scuba certification to the level of rescue diver (or equivalent) from a nationally recognized certification agency.
• Possess a recent (less than 12 months) approval for recreational scuba diving signed by a physician (MD or DO).
• Successfully pass an AAUS watermanship requirements swim test.
• Pass a Seattle Aquarium scuba skills evaluation dive.

In addition, the new staff diver candidate must complete and pass the following aquarium diver physical exam, training classes and deadlines:

• Pass a Seattle Aquarium occupational diving physical exam.
• Complete emergency oxygen provider training within six months of hire.
• Complete staff exhibit diver training and evaluation within six months of hire.
• Attain scientific diver level of diver training and evaluation within one year of hire

About the Seattle Aquarium:

The Seattle Aquarium is a respected authority on Puget Sound, the Salish Sea and the world’s one ocean. Our passionate staff increases awareness and drives the change needed to preserve and protect our marine environment by providing an inspiring visitor experience, engaging daytime and evening events, conservation education programs for people of all ages and backgrounds, community outreach to marginalized populations, research that advances understanding of animals in our care and their counterparts in the wild, advocacy and policy work, an award-winning volunteer program, high-impact marketing and communications, and more.  

Our values, developed in conjunction with our staff, include commitments to adopting and promoting sustainable practices, creating awe-inspiring experiences, constantly learning and improving, fostering an inclusive community, maintaining scientific credibility through evidence-based practices and honoring our unique place by using our location and history as a lens for larger understanding.  

Proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, we’re among the top 10 aquariums in the U.S. by attendance, and we welcome over 850,000 people each year. Guided by our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment, we’re working to substantially increase our conservation impact by expanding our campus with a new building, the Ocean Pavilion. Learn more at SeattleAquarium.org. 

Experience Required

• 3+ years’ experience with non-formal, learner-led education programs with community members. This can be through paid or volunteer experience.
• 2+ years’ leading and assisting with development of training.
• Experience leading, mentoring, coaching or supervising staff.
• Ability to adapt communication and teaching style to meet varying needs and interests of guests, including when S.C.U.B.A. diving including to speak and direct large groups. Multilingual and multicultural communication skills and experience are preferred.
• Ability to create new public facing talks for our visitors and build upon existing ones.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the Aquarium’s Mission and Values, including Regenerative and Equity work. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience delivering formal presentations.
• Consistently and proactively communicate, track, and organize work to keep self on track and others in the loop. 
• The ability to problem solve, using good judgment, both independently and with a team
• Must be able to swim, dive and both pass and maintain all required scuba diving skills and certifications.
• First aid and CPR certifications by the time of hire.

Further Comments

Pay and Benefits: $28.65 - $33.00/hour, Dependent on experience. Please include pay expectations in your materials. Full-time staff are eligible for the Seattle Aquarium’s comprehensive benefits package to include medical, vision, dental, an employer-funded health reimbursement account, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, 403b retirement fund with employer match, access to a subsidized ORCA pass, a Seattle Aquarium Family Plus membership and generous paid time off.