Staff Diver - Part-Time

Primarily responsible for implementing the evening dive shows supporting a Scuba Claus costume dive in the Great Ocean Tank for our holiday AGLOW events. Job start date is immediately and end of the season is January 7th 2024. Dive support for all aquatic exhibits, demonstrating exceptional animal care, dive knowledge and skill, and supporting public education goals. Duties include all aspects of daily care, including feeding, cleaning, frequent diving with scuba and surface supply, animal training and enrichment, record keeping, and interaction with aquarium visitors.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Routinely interact with aquarium guests, providing education and conservation information
• Routinely dive with sharks, stingrays, venomous fish, eels and sea turtles
• Perform frequent dive related tank maintenance on any aquarium system as required
• Evaluate animal health and life support requirements to maintain excellent animal health and welfare
• Properly and safely handle animals for all care needs (e.g. annual physicals, treatments, transport)
• Support the aquarium's animal behavior management program, including enrichment and training activities
• Maintain exhibit aesthetics, including proper tank and filter operation and periodic renovations
• Exhibit a high level of organization and daily backup area cleanliness
• Be flexible with work schedule, being able to work weekends, holidays and evenings
• Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sundays required
• General shift is 5:00PM-9:30PM
• Some Daytime shifts available 8:00AM-4:00PM
• 24-40 hours/week
• Work unsupervised and make decisions consistent with the team philosophy
• Adhere to all South Carolina Aquarium policies and procedures
• Assist aquarium staff and visitors as needed in a pleasant, professional and courteous manner

OTHER DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supports the mission by participating in Aquarium sponsored programs and events on a regular basis, such as daily education programs, membership programs, behind the scenes tours, and fundraising activities.
• Other responsibilities as assigned (including meeting attendance, committee service, public relations support, social media content development)

SKILLS KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:

• Ability to recognize and prevent animal diseases · Knowledge of saltwater fishes and elasmobranchs
• Good working knowledge of water quality parameters and their relation to animal health
• Understanding of the mechanical equipment necessary to maintain living exhibits, including sand filters, water pumps, protein skimmers, heat exchangers, ozone and UV filters
• Knowledge and demonstrated skill of minor plumbing, carpentry and electrical work
• Proficient in all MS Office Products including: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook
• Ability to pass AAUS dive physical, dive skill evaluation and swim test
• Ability to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination
• Experience with diving in an aquarium setting
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

LISCENCED & CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• SCUBA Certification with 50+ Open water dives
• Valid Driver's License

SUPERVISION OF OTHERS:

Volunteers & Interns

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires average walking, standing, bending, stooping, and crouching, climbing ladders, sitting, kneeling, balancing, pushing and pulling, crawling, working with tools, computer tasks and phone usage; should be able to lift/carry at least 50 lbs.; requires driving Aquarium vehicles.

HAZARDOUS REQUIREMENTS:

Average exposure to minor or severe cuts; falls; falling objects; hazards to eyesight, hearing and sense of smell; and tight spaces. Often requires use of personal protective equipment due to exposure to chemicals, hazardous materials, ozone, and handling of animals.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This position requires works in both an office environment and outdoors, sometimes in extreme weather including both hot and cold; requires weekend and late-night work as needed; requires contact with customers, the general public, and outside vendors; requires carrying a cell phone and radio; requires occasional travel.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those with lived experience with racism and/or misogynoir are encouraged to apply for this role.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE PREFERRED:

• BS in biology, aquatic biology or a closely related field preferred

Perks

Reciprocity Pass Program, PTO, Amazing Culutre!