Dive Programs Manager in Draper, Utah at The Living Planet Aquarium
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Job Description
Position: Dive Programs Manager
Reports To: Vice President of Zoological Operations
Compensation: Starting at $70,000/year
Why Utah?
Utah is home to five national parks, world-class skiing and snowboarding, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, and stunning deserts, mountains, and lakes, all within easy driving distance. Outdoor adventure is part of everyday life. The Salt Lake Valley consistently ranks high for safety, clean communities, short commute times, and family-friendly amenities. Draper offers a balance of suburban comfort and urban access, with downtown Salt Lake City just 15 minutes away. Enjoy all four seasons without extremes—sunny summers, colorful falls, snowy winters, and mild springs, perfect for both outdoor recreation and city living. Utah’s communities are known for being engaged, supportive, and service-oriented, making it easy for newcomers to feel at home.
About Loveland Living Planet Aquarium:
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (LLPA) is a mission-driven institution dedicated to inspiring people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems. Founded in 1997, the Aquarium provides impactful educational experiences for guests of all ages and backgrounds.
Since opening its Draper, Utah facility in 2014, LLPA has welcomed more than 10 million visitors and delivered over 650,000 educational experiences to students. Home to over 4,000 animals representing 650 species, the Aquarium features immersive habitats from around the world, including coral reefs, kelp forests, the deep ocean, Antarctic waters, tropical rainforests, Asian cloud forests, and Utah’s freshwater ecosystems.
Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2019, LLPA is in an exciting phase of growth. With the opening of the Sam and Aline Skaggs Science Learning Center, the Aquarium became the largest in the Mountain West and the fifth largest aquarium in the continental United States, offering expanded opportunities for education, research, and professional impact.
Position Summary:
The Dive Programs Manager leads all aspects of the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium’s diving program, overseeing safety, training, and operations for both staff and volunteer divers. This position ensures compliance with institutional, AZA, and OSHA Commercial Diving standards while maintaining the highest levels of diver safety and program integrity. The Dive Programs Manager is responsible for administrative oversight, equipment program supervision, diver training, and management of certifications.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Responsible for overseeing and maintaining all Aquarium dive operations in compliance with institutional protocols and regulatory standards, including but not limited to: OSHA, ADPA, and AZA.
- Lead all trainings and oversee certification maintenance for staff and volunteers divers, including first aid, CPR, AED, and emergency oxygen.
- Supervise and support ancillary dive staff, including the staff divers and dive technicians.
- Ensure safe operation of and routine preventative maintenance of all dive and dive-related equipment and infrastructure.
- Supervise Volunteer Dive program, with support from the Volunteer Coordinator, driving recruitment, providing trainings, and overseeing scheduling.
- Design and enact emergency procedures and safety drills, ensuring compliance with AZA standard 11.7.4.
- Manage administrative responsibilities including recordkeeping, purchasing, and budget management.
- Support interdepartmental collaboration for dive-related animal care, exhibits, and infrastructure projects.
Experience and Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, marine science, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum five (5) years of professional diving experience in a zoo or aquarium setting, with at least 2 years serving in a Dive Safety Officer or equivalent role.
- Valid SCUBA instructor certification from a nationally recognized agency, with the ability to teach open-water, advanced open water, rescue diver, first aid/CPR/AED, and oxygen provider classes – DAN or Rescue X preferred.
- Experience with open-circuit, surface supply, full face mask, dry suit diving, and operations of wired and wireless underwater coms.
- Experience with Rapid Extrication Backboard preferred.
- Preferred experience using volunteer coordination software such as Volgistics.
Critical Competencies:
- Strong leadership and administrative skills, including volunteer and staff management.
- Extensive knowledge of diving standards, physiology, and emergency procedures.
- In-depth experience with OSHA commercial diving, ADPA, AAUS, and aquarium Scientific Exemption standards.
- Experience with compressor systems, surface-supplied air, and dive gear maintenance oversight.
- Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and dive record-keeping software.
- Ability to mentor, train, and develop dive team members in a collaborative and safety-oriented environment.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills including technical writing and SOP development.
- Experience with assessing diver skills.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
- Instructor-level certification from a nationally recognized agency required.
- AAUS Scientific Diver certification preferred.
- Valid Utah Driver’s License or ability to obtain one within three months of hire.
- Current First Aid/CPR/Oxygen Administration Instructor certification – DAN or Rescue X preferred.
Working Conditions and Physical Demands:
Work includes both administrative and in-water duties in varying conditions. Requires lifting of up to 70 lbs, standing for extended periods, and working in cold or confined spaces. Must be available for weekends, holidays, and emergency response support.
The Living Planet Aquarium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or military status. The Living Planet Aquarium is committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application and interview process. Should you require accommodations, please contact accommodation@livingplanetaquarium.org.