Job Title: Senior Assistant Dive Safety Officer (ADSO) and Volunteer Diver Coordinator
Posting Date: June 2026
Job Department: Animal Welfare
Schedule: Full Time
Job Type: On-site
Location: National Aquarium Pier 3 501 E Pratt St Baltimore, MD 21202
JOB SUMMARY:
The National Aquarium is seeking a Senior Assistant Dive Safety Officer (Sr. ADSO) and Volunteer Diver Coordinator to assist the Director of Dive Programs in overseeing the Aquarium’s dive program including the volunteer and paid staff to mitigate risk and ensure compliance with NA dive procedures and regulations. Assist in the development and enforcement of AAUS, OSHA, and AZA policies and standards that ensure the safety of all Aquarium–related diving operations under guidance of Director of Dive Programs.
KEY REQUIREMENTS:
Essential responsibilities include:
Core Competencies:
- Expected to act as a role model within and beyond the division; must professionally demonstrate good judgment and communication skills through interpersonal effectiveness and fostering a learning culture.
- Promote teamwork and a positive and productive work environment.
- Accountable to use independent judgement and critical thinking to solve problems, keeping human safety and animal welfare at the forefront of decision making and actions. Innovation may be required to temporarily modify existing policies and procedures. Problems to solve are typically within the assigned section.
- Willingness and ability to mentor new staff, volunteers, and interns while exhibiting the same or higher levels of technical skill/knowledge.
- Stays abreast of current trends in the related field to ensure that National Aquarium programs, policies, and protocols continue to evolve and improve.
Essential Functions:
- Assist the Director of Dive Programs and DSO in overseeing the Aquarium’s dive program including the volunteer and paid staff to mitigate risk and ensure compliance with NA dive procedures and standards.
- Responsible for the NA institutional dive program safety and risk management via adherence to Federal OSHA commercial, AAUS scientific, and RSTC (Recreational) diving standards of over 40 staff divers and 70-90 volunteer divers.
- Helps develop and oversee policies and procedures for all diving operations and assists the Director of Dive Programs and DSO in updating and maintaining NA’s Diving Safety and Operations Manual and Site-Specific Manuals.
- Responsible for Volunteer Diver Performance Management process, oversees the volunteer diver shift schedule, communications via emails and the Aquadivers platform, and coordinates new volunteer diver recruitment, training, and management of program records.
- Utilizes DPIC for dive logging, records tracking and administrative processes.
- Main contact with the BW Ring Tank team as pertains to animal care/wellbeing and Director of Volunteer Engagement.
- Primary on daily volunteer diving activities, including briefings, task assignments, and general supervision.
- Must be highly detail-oriented, adept at problem solving, and have the capacity to decide when to act independently and when to seek consultation from supervisors.
- Maintain current instructor certifications and qualifications to remain an NA AAUS Scientific Diver.
- Maintain logs, records, communications and other required documentation for volunteers, and staff, equipment as part of NA Dive Safety and Operations Manual.
- Participates in Animal Welfare and Care cleaning and feeding habitat dives (per training), diver tender, and function as a Dive-Person in Charge (DPIC) roles.
- Conduct and supervise routine and non-routine exhibit dive maintenance, repairs, and trouble shooting.
- As scheduled, works cooperatively to execute response to mitigate alarms for planned incidents or drills, including after-hours when needed. May have responsibility for occasionally being on-call or responding to emergencies after-hours.
- Cross trains in management of volunteer dive program duties, equipment maintenance, or other Dive Program duties.
- Able to troubleshoot and repair diving equipment.
- Member of the Dive Control Board. May serve as secretary.
- Responsible for in-house dive plans approvals.
- Maintains a strong knowledge based on diving industry standards, diving physiology, equipment, and techniques to ensure the Aquarium’s compliance with all relevant safety standards (OSHA, AAUS, RSTC, and ADPA, etc.).
- Conduct CPR, First Aid, Oxygen Administration, (as part of DAN Diving First Aid for Professional course), PSI Hazmat training, extraction, and other required trainings.
- Function as primary ADSO for all staff and volunteer diving in the absence of other Dive Program team members.
- May function as Guest Immersion Program supervisor in supervising our Atlantic Edge divemaster and instructor staff in joint paid guest diver program.
- Responsible for coordinating and implementing projects, investigations, or training as assigned (equipment, volunteers, field, other).
- Responsible for monitoring and/or managing supply inventories or research projects as assigned by manager. As assigned, assist section supervisor/manager with budget planning through recommendation of budget line items or obtaining equipment/supply cost estimates.
- Responsible for analysis of varying problems as well as judgment in the identification of solutions not always easily found.
- Assist with the training and mentorship of paid staff within assigned sections, volunteers, and interns as needed or directed.
- May help coordinate Special Event Dives.
- Serve as a representative of the Aquarium to the public and the media.
- Able to work well and collaborate with supervisors and staff.
- Offer advice regarding diving safety to other aquariums, zoos, and other diving organizations.
- Participate in and present at workshops, seminars, member programs and tours.
- Develop and maintain relations with scuba manufacturers and attend necessary tradeshows and trainings.
- Support company mission.
- Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
- Other duties as assigned or required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- An internationally recognized professional open water scuba instructor certification required. Prefer advanced scuba instructor certifications.
- Bachelor's degree in biology, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of three years’ experience in aquarium or zoological field.
- If applicable, successful completion of all required Senior ADSO promotional criteria.
- AAUS scientific diving certification or training preferred.
- CPR/First Aid/AED instructor by an internationally recognized agency. DAN First Aid for Professional Dive Instructor certification highly preferred.
- PSI Cylinder Inspection and Hazmat Training Instructor Certification preferred.
- Present evidence of all dive training and diving history.
- Must have solid knowledge of aquatic realm and be able to apply it to an aquarium setting.
- Supervisory and coordinating skills, excellent oral and written communication, working knowledge of computer databases and operations, effective interpersonal skills for dealing with staff and visitors, and able to work as team player.
- Must be competent and experienced in all SCUBA equipment and safety procedures and must be able to effectively respond to diving-related problems and emergencies.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Products.
- Possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license, have an acceptable driving record, and possess the ability to drive a variety of vehicles (cars, vans/trucks).
- Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings.
TO TAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION
Hourly range ($24.52-32.42) with hours worked over 40 in a week eligible for overtime, premium pay for National Aquarium recognized holidays, and shift differential for overnight shifts. National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package including four weeks paid time off, six paid floating holidays, up to four weeks of paid family leave and conservation day leave.
About the National Aquarium
Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium’s award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.
More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands-on field conservation work. The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.
Our Mission and Goals
The Aquarium’s mission—to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet—begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals—to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution.
Our Values
At the National Aquarium, our core values form the basis for our beliefs about our organization, our colleagues and ourselves, and serve as the framework to guide our behaviors and actions to achieve our mission.
Connection: We take the time to build lasting connections with each other, our guests, the animals in our care and the nature that surrounds us. We communicate clearly and collaborate readily within and across teams. We engage thoughtfully with our partners. We practice shared accountability.
Curiosity: We center learning and growth in all that we do. Our people are empowered to explore new approaches. We support taking risks. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas. We embrace change.
Optimism: We celebrate the power of positive moments and shared experiences. We seek out opportunities to have fun. We reconnect with our purpose through sharing successes with our colleagues.
Service: We are in service to each other, our guests and our communities. We make intentional decisions and actions for the benefit of the people and animals within our organization.
Wellbeing: We ensure our people and animals have what they need mentally and physically to thrive. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of communities and sharing the healing power of natural for all.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice
National Aquarium values an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees, volunteers, and interns. Our goal is to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a candidate pool representative of the variety of communities we serve. With a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Aquarium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes an environment free from all discrimination and harassment.
In the selection and retention of employees, volunteers, and interns, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, arrest record, family or caregiver status, HIV status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Our organization is dedicated to this policy with respect to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, training, promotions, performance management, and separation, and general treatment during time of employment.
