Dive Officer - Fiji

DIVE OFFICER

Job Title:Dive Officer

Reporting to:Principal Investigator and Project Coordinator or Country Co-ordinator, In-Country

Responsible to:The Directors of the Society & the Operations Managers, London HQ

Location:Beqa, Fiji

PRIMARY FUNCTION

To manage all diving operations associated with the marine research programme, including the supervision of daily scuba and in-water activities and to ensure the proper maintenance of all dive equipment and boats.

GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE ROLE

- Maintenance and control of all diving and related equipment;

- Organisation and supervision of daily diving and snorkelling activities;

- Supervision and dive training of volunteers and all project participants;

- Assisting the staff team with all aspects of the research programme.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

- To plan, organise, supervise and execute all diving activities, taking into account all physical, logistical, safety and financial considerations;

- To supervise, train and motivate all project staff, volunteers and host-country participants to do the work contained in the diving schedule;

- To ensure that all volunteer dive trainees are trained up to a minimum level of PADI Advanced Open Water Diver in accordance with PADI regulations;

- The Officer is expected to take an active interest in the scientific programme and to provide, as required, a diving team for the Principal Investigator to complete the work programme.

- The Officer is responsible for the administration, maintenance and control of all the diving and related equipment including compressors, boats, outboard motors and all diving accessories on the project.  

- To ensure that all volunteers, staff and host-country participants adhere to safe diving practices;

- To ensure that all project participants are deployed usefully and enjoyably

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Contract Duration:6-12 months with the possibility of extension.

Accommodation:Basic accommodation provided at field project

Travel:Contribution towards an international airfare (capped) plus internal travel as necessary to the fulfilment of duties.

Insurance:Employer’s liability insurance provided.

Subsistence:Food provided on project site. Subsistence allowance provided for time spent off project site.

Salary:£150-200 (per quarter) plus £150-200 end of contract bonus, dependent on experience, qualifications & availability.

Training:Pre-departure training provided.

JOB SPECIFICATION

 

EDUCATION/KNOWLEDGE: 

- Minimum PADI Instructor

- First aid qualifications 

- Minimum of Level 2 RYA Powerboat license (or equivalent)

- PADI Advanced Instructor (or equivalent)

- Degree in marine biology / zoology / ecology

EXPERIENCE: 

- Proven experience of servicing all dive equipment (regulators, BCDs, compressors)

- Proven experience of small boat handling, maintenance & servicing (inflatables, RIBs, outboard engines (15-60 hp).

- Proven experience of open water dive training & management

- Attendance of recognised service training course e.g. regulators, compressors, & outboard engines.

- Experience of scientific work diving (e.g. HSE Part IV, surveys, photography, NDT)

- Experience of GIS applications

- Experience of working with NGOs

- Familiarity with field operational logistics

SKILLS:

- Technically orientated

- Ability to manage & train junior research assistants

- Administrative & time management skills

- Knowledge of local language

- Excellent written/oral communication & presentation skills

- Tropical marine life identification skills

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

- Demonstrable commitment to conservation

- Resilient & mature, with the ability to work in a team in basic living conditions

- Flexible approach

- Conscientious 

- Ability to motivate others

- Physical fitness