Dive Program Aquarium Assistant

Parks Tacoma is an independent park district in Pierce County, Washington, proudly accredited by both the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) & the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). As a leader in promoting a healthy, sustainable community, Parks Tacoma manages a diverse range of facilities that provide our communities with exceptional recreational opportunities—from local neighborhood parks and scenic waterfront access to large regional attractions. Serving as both a vital community resource and a regional destination, Parks Tacoma plays a central role in enhancing quality of life throughout the area. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is the only combined zoo and aquarium in the Pacific Northwest. Located within the scenic 700-acre Point Defiance Park, the 29-acre zoological park offers breathtaking views of Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains, and Puget Sound. Since its founding in 1905, the Zoo has welcomed over 800,000 visitors annually and remains a beloved regional destination. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium upholds the highest standards in animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, and education.

Our Mission:

Awakening a connection to Wild Life with everyone in the Pacific Northwest. Learn more at pdza.org Position Information This position is primarily associated with the public Eye to Eye shark dive in the Tropical Reef Aquarium (TRA) at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. The primary role is the delivery and interpretation of visitor Eye to Eye Shark Dive experiences. This includes a rotation through the roles of safety diver, presenter, and topside tender. Some time may be spent participating in aquarium husbandry dives and/or dive presentations in TRA or the Pacific Seas Aquarium, or other dive needs of the aquarium. In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to: Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision. Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers. Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments. Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations. Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards. Demonstrate effective communication and interpretation to customers which deliver a professional and exciting experience. Essential Duties Provide messaging on shark biology and conservation issues to dive program participants. Instruct participants on the technical and safety aspects of the dive programs. Guide participants safely through dive program experiences. Personalize public dive experiences with humor and educational information. Clean wetsuits, dry suits, bathing suits, dive gear and dive facility after dive programs. Provide upkeep of dive building and dive-equipment storage areas Assist participants with sizing and if need be fitting into dry suits or wetsuits and other equipment. Film, edit and duplicate videos of the dive. Communicate with the public, answer questions and perform narrated dive events. Observe animal species during dives to determine physical and behavioral health and well-being; report observations to appropriate personnel. Assist with performing routine maintenance and minor repair of animal exhibits and related systems, ensuring a healthy environment and presentation of animals in an attractive manner Assist with maintaining appropriate dive program, equipment, and animal records. Fill scuba cylinders in compliance with OSHA standards. Assist with upkeep of dive gear/equipment. Other duties as assigned.

Occasional Potential Duties:

Participate in aquarium dives to fulfill the husbandry needs of individual exhibits, and the overall goals of the aquarium. Participate in field dives to meet the needs of the aquarium Under direction of full-time staff, move and remove animal species to different areas or exhibits. Other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Must be certified by a nationally recognized scuba organization, and possess training in dive rescue Must have logged a minimum of 30 dives Pass diving requirements of PDZA. Able to lead any response to a dive accident or participant emergency Excellent communication and interpretation skills. Ability to use basic functions in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel. Positive, cheerful and professional attitude.

Preferred Qualifications:

Leadership level dive training Education in the natural sciences, education or related field or experience delivering interpretive and formal education programs in a zoo, aquarium or museum setting. Experience in aquatic animal husbandry. Cold water diving experience Scientific Diver Certification (AAUS)

Other Requirements:

Must be at least 18 years of age. Willing to work weekends and holidays.

Additional Information Hours:

This is a Seasonal position starting in May, to end sometime in September. Hours and days per week may vary, but will usually include at least some of Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and will nearly always be daytime hours between 7am - 5pm.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Lifting and carrying heavy objects up to 80 pounds. Must be able to move and lift dive gear. Must be able to assist visitors with gear. Pushing. Climbing. Walking. Kneeling and crouching to assist at side of dive areas Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate specialized equipment and tools. Hearing and speaking to exchange information. Repetitive SCUBA and/or Hookah dives on a daily basis Field diving from shore or off a boat in any/all of the following conditions: cold water, currents, low visibility. Must be able to pass the dive physical requirements for

PDZA ENVIRONMENT/HAZARDS

Indoor & outdoors, cold, wet underwater environment; chemicals, fumes, odors, poor ventilation and noise. Contact with dissatisfied visitors. Work environment with potentially dangerous and sick animals. Exposure to animal fecal matter.