October 16, 2012
Conservaton International Marine Dive Safety Officer
Please do not contact me about this opportunity.—Dida
Marine Dive Safety Officer
Location: United States- Arlington, VA Headquarters
Job Code: 369
# of openings: 1
Description:
The Diving Safety Officer (DSO) will oversee a Conservation International-wide diving safety program which will include all CI dives and divers. The DSO is responsible for advising the CI Diving Control Board and reports to the Senior Director of the Seascapes Program on pertinent issues involving CI scientific and recreational diving.
The DSO has management oversight of all scientific and recreational diving activities worldwide conducted under the auspices of Conservation International, including diver training, development of policies and procedures for diving safety, emergency response, standards and requirements, operations, and monitoring compliance with the CI Diving Safety Manual. The position serves as a member of the CI Diving Control Board (DCB), and is part of the Global Marine Division. The position is based at CI Headquarters in Crystal City, VA.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provides program direction and supervision for the CI Diving Safety Program, in accordance with the standards defined by the CI Diving Safety Manual, including:
Reviews and determines CI authorization status for all permanent, visiting and temporary divers.
Reviews and authorizes all Dive Plans conducted under CI auspices, including standing dive plans for long-term dive sites.
Develops, plans and advises on emergency response procedures for diving accidents and illness, including emergency medical assistance, evacuation, recompression chamber access, and transportation/communications needs.
Responsible for ongoing management, coordination and conduct of CI diver training and diving first aid courses (first aid, CPR, oxygen administration, field neurological examination and diver rescue). Develops curricula and conducts or supervises diver training; certifies diver leadership positions.
Manages certification record maintenance for CI divers, including diving first aid training, equipment maintenance, diving logs and history, and diving medical certification. Records are maintained in a secure database according to appropriate federal standards and confidentiality of personal data.
Directs CI standardized scuba equipment program, including advising on requirements for scuba equipment specifications, maintenance, and compressed air systems.
Compiles annual CI diving statistics report for submission to DCB.
Responsible for preparation of the annual CI Diving Safety Program budget consistent with the program’s scope and needs.
Evaluates, advises and informs DCB and Executive Vice President and Chief Scientist for Oceans regarding technical and procedural matters pertaining to scientific diving, including:
Monitors current developments in diving medicine and diving physiology as it relates to diver safety and health and operation of the CI Diving Safety Program.
Analyzes diving exposure statistics and diving incident investigative reports.
Identifies, analyzes and evaluates a variety of hazards for divers, providing expert analysis in causal factors precipitating fatalities, serious injuries or substantial property damage through use of specific investigative techniques and application of appropriate standards and sound safety practices.
Periodically reviews and recommends updates and changes to the CI diving safety policy and Diving Safety Manual for consideration and formal adoption by the DCB.
Advises DCB on new diving products that relate to or improve diver safety, on specific equipment, proposed research methodologies and scientific diving techniques (e.g., use of mixed gas, enriched air-nitrox, decompression diving, submersibles, dive computers, rebreathers).
Evaluates and recommends, in conjunction with DCB and Office of General Counsel, action on violations of established procedures and regulations specified in the CI Diving Safety Manual and accident or incident reports.
Consults with GCO to advise on diving risk management, insurance and liability issues.
CI Representation
Represents CI in the diving community to assure consistency and reciprocity of standards and certifications with other major diving safety programs.
Maintains close and effective relationships with government agencies (e.g., NSF, USCG, USN, NOAA and DOI), the commercial diving industry, university diving programs, diving research organizations (e.g., AAUS, UHMS, DAN), international diving training organizations (e.g., NAUI, PADI, SSI, CMAS, BSAC) and the diving industry (DEMA). The purpose of this representation is for developing, maintaining, and exchanging current training and diving procedures, diving techniques, equipment development and usage, medical and safety procedures, regulations, and for diving authorization reciprocity among institutions.
Attends meetings as requested with Executive Vice President and Chief Scientist for Oceans or as his representative.
Engages in scientific diving, diving safety and marine science public speaking presentations, as appropriate.
Working Conditions:
This position is based in CI Headquarters in Arlington, VA
The position is on call 24 hours/ 7days a week for emergency response management. Work requires strenuous physical activity associated with swimming, diving and working under water, inside submersibles, underwater habitats and recompression chambers. Must pass regular diving medical examinations for CI diving authorization. Must be able to lift up to 80 lbs, including all diving equipment, such as tanks, weight belts, and camera or scientific equipment. Must tolerate conditions in the field of heat, humidity, cold, wind and intense sun. Must be able to pull-start small boat engines. Must pass swimming and breath-holding tests and diver rescue and resuscitation prescribed in the CI Diving Safety Manual. Must tolerate long distance, worldwide travel.
Work is performed both in an office setting and in diverse field locations around the world. The work is performed under water, inside submersibles, within underwater habitats and recompression chambers, research laboratories and field facilities, as well as aboard research vessels and small boats involving potential risks and requiring special safety precautions. Must tolerate intense field conditions of heat, humidity, cold, wind and intense sun. Possible exposure to dangerous marine animals, ranging from stinging invertebrates to biting fish.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
Mastery of the field of scientific diving for research and education, with particular knowledge of marine biology and ecology.
Expert knowledge of diving equipment, air compressors and purification systems, and safety devices, include their operation, repair and maintenance.
Expert knowledge of underwater scientific methods and techniques for the purposes of gathering scientific data and collection of specimens and artifacts, and MPA monitoring techniques.
Ability to plan and conduct difficult and complex scientific diving operations including demonstrated evidence of participation in a decision-making role in which execution of such projects were considered successful.
Expert knowledge of safety and medical procedures as applied to scientific diving.
Must have an Instructor certification from an internationally recognized scuba certification agency. Expert knowledge of the safety principles, practices and procedures, body of laws, regulations, and diver training and safety techniques.
Knowledge of diving operations to include research vessel and field station procedures, small boat operations, diving first aid, emergency treatment and evacuation, and recompression chamber operations.
Demonstrated ability to analyze and evaluate program activities/operations to formulate recommendations and alternatives for overall program effectiveness.
Ability to communicate (both orally and in writing) concepts, plans, issues, and technical matters, and to secure understanding and support from users and management at all levels of CI’s organization.
5 years of scientific diving and diving safety experience, field-based conservation monitoring experience, recreational scuba diving instructor certification from an internationally recognized training agency, current scientific diving certification, Diving First Aid instructor certification, equipment maintenance, Bachelor’s degree.
Preferred:
BS degree in marine science or related field, advanced degree, knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese.
Posted by Dida at October 16, 2012 1:41 PM
