Dive Safety Specialist

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Company: King Abdullah University of Science & Technology

Job Purpose

The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a world-renowned private university located in Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a 36 km2 suburban campus directly on the Red Sea, a residential city of >8,000 residents, university campus with 200,000 m2 of modern research laboratories and a research park with local and global research centers. At the heart of KAUST's mission, the dive safety programs serve as an essential pillar supporting research, education, and exploration within the marine environment. Leveraging its strategic coastal location, KAUST presents unparalleled opportunities for scientific inquiry and breakthroughs in marine science and oceanography. Within KAUST, dive program comprises various components, including a Marine Science Education and Research Program, Reef Restoration Initiative, and a consultancy arm dedicated to providing expert services on marine and dive projects to The Kingdom.

The dive safety program includes ~200 divers that frequently engage in research dives all year around, primarily within the Red Sea, with some studies extending throughout the world. Collaboration with international partners is integral to these scientific endeavors. A large reef restoration initiative covering a 100-hectare area to the north of KAUST in NEOM is also led and run by KAUST. Additionally, the consultancy arm of KAUST supports projects critical to the development of The Kingdom.

The KAUST Dive Safety Specialist together with a team with Dive Safety Program personnel is responsible for implementing and overseeing dive safety and boating safety protocols. This position plays a critical role ensuring the safety of all marine-related activities, including scientific research dives, recreational diving, and boating operations. The incumbent will collaborate closely with researchers, faculty, students, and staff to promote a culture of safety and compliance with relevant regulations and standards.

Major Accountabilities

Safety Oversight:

• Regulatory Compliance:

Stay informed about relevant regulations and permits governing scientific diving activities and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and policies.

• AAUS Compliance

Ensure that all scientific diving activities comply with AAUS standards and guidelines for safe diving practices.

Lead dive incident investigations as dive subject matter expert.

Conduct risk assessments for diving operations, considering factors such as environmental conditions, dive site characteristics, and diver experience levels.

• Safety Advocacy

Promote a culture of safety within the diving community by conducting outreach activities, sharing best practices, and participating in professional development opportunities.

• Emergency Response Planning

Develop and implement emergency response plans for diving accidents or incidents, including procedures for medical emergencies, equipment failures, and diver rescues.

Dive Program Logistics:

• Dive Planning and Supervision:

Assist researchers and staff in planning dive operations, including dive site selection, dive profiles, and decompression procedures. Provide on-site supervision during dives to ensure adherence to safety protocols.

• Dive Program Support

Serve as Lead Diver and manage logistics and dive operations as needed.

Assist lab team in field activities, including field sampling, coastal surveys, logistic procedure, and other related task, as appropriate;

• Documentation and Reporting

Maintain accurate records of diving activities, including dive logs, equipment maintenance records, training records and incident reports. Prepare reports as required by AAUS or other regulatory agencies. Assist with continual development of SOPs and refinement of safety protocols.

Dive Safety Training

• Dive Safety Training Requirements

Establish Dive Safety Training requirements in accordance to AAUS guidelines.

• Dive Safety Training Provision

Coordinate and provide training for scientific divers, ensuring that they possess the necessary skills and certifications to safely conduct underwater research.

• Training Coordination

Coordinate and facilitate scientific diver training programs and certification courses.

Dive Locker Operation

1. Equipment Inspection and Maintenance:

Oversee the inspection, maintenance, and repair of diving equipment to ensure that it meets safety standards and functions properly.

Other Essential Accountabilities

Regularly review and update safety protocols and procedures based on lessons learned from incidents, advances in diving technology, and changes in regulatory requirements.

Work closely with researchers, project managers, dive teams, and other stakeholders to ensure that diving activities are conducted safely and efficiently in support of scientific goals.

• Conduct other duties as assigned.

Person Requirements

• Strong knowledge of marine safety, dive safety regulations, standards, and best practices.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety and compliance.
• Proficiency in conducting risk assessments and incident investigations and implementing corrective actions.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including researchers, staff, students, and external partners.
• Familiarity with dive equipment and boating operations, including maintenance and inspection procedures.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to develop and maintain comprehensive safety documentation.
• Commitment to professional development and continuous improvement in the field of dive safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., marine science, environmental science, occupational health and safety) required; advanced degree preferred.
• Certification as an AAUS Dive Safety Officer or willingness to obtain certification within one year of employment.
• Possess current SCUBA Instructor certification from an internationally recognized agency
• Possess or ability to complete PSI Visual Cylinder Inspector, Valve Repair Technician, and Oxygen Cylinder Cleaning technician certifications.
• Possess or ability to complete regulator and BCD service technician certifications; SCUBA Pro preferred.
• Possess or ability to complete DAN Diving First Aid for Professional Divers Instructor certification.

Experience

• 5 years in administering a scientific dive program at the ADSO or DSO level
• Experience in boat safety preferred.
• Strong knowledge of dive safety regulations, standards, and best practices, with demonstrated experience in developing and implementing safety programs.
• Experience in incident investigation, emergency response planning, and risk management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software applications.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is required.