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Assistant Diving Safety Officer

Location: Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre

Date Posted: 18-Aug-25

Location: Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Bamfield, BC

Position Type: Casual Position CUPE 401

Reports to: Diving Safety Officer (Acting)

Hourly Rate: $25.00 – $27.00 per hour (commensurate with experience and qualifications) Hours Worked: While anticipated to be ~37.5 hours per week during most weeks of the term, hours will fluctuate depending on Foreshore and operational requirements.

Application Deadline: Open until filled

About Us For over 50 years, the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC) has supported year-round education and research on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. BMSC is owned and managed by a not-for-profit organization, the Pacific Marine Science Alliance (PMSA), whose members are the University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, Simon Fraser University and University of Victoria. Our vision is to inspire transformational relationships with the ocean through science.

Position Overview

The Assistant Diving Safety Officer (Assistant DSO) supports the Diving Safety Officer in delivering BMSC’s Scientific Diving Program, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulatory standards (CAUS, WCB, OH&S, CSA). In collaboration with BMSC Leadership, the role assists in the development, implementation, and monitoring of health and safety procedures, and plays a key role in advancing BMSC’s emergency preparedness program by identifying gaps, testing protocols, and supporting the creation of effective response strategies.

Key Responsibilities

Diving & Foreshore Support

• Support delivery of the Scientific Diving Program in compliance with CAUS standards.
• Assist with diver training, skill checkouts, rescue training, dive exams, first aid/O2 training, and associated documentation.
• Provide dive operations and tendering support, ensuring CAUS compliance, in Barkley Sound and other BC sites (e.g., Salish Sea, Broughton Archipelago, Ogden Point, Burrard Inlet, etc.); ensuring suitable client coordination and support at all times.
• Assist with annual diver training and supervise public education dives (e.g., subtidal safaris, collections).
• Train and assign surface safety attendants for all research dives in collaboration with DSO and Head of Foreshore.
• Assist in establishing reciprocal protocols with researchers/scientific divers from institutions with a scientific diving program and those that do not.
• Provide dive support to researchers and assist with researcher(s) with project design upon researcher(s) request.
• Collect biological specimens for researchers, university and field trip programs.
• Provide breathing air quality samples for testing annually, or as required by CAUS, WCB, OH&S and/or CSA
• Liaise with CAUS, WCB, OH&S and CSA annually on safe diving practices and standards.
• Coordinate maintenance and servicing of all diving equipment, such as but not limited to: breathing air compressor(s); scuba cylinders; and regulators.
• Maintain BMSC dive records including, but not limited to: diver files, dive logs, annual statistics, and periodically audit the BMSC dive program records.
• Supervise, mentor and coordinate summer intern divers.
• Assist with boat training, ROV operations and instruction, and vessel maintenance as requested.

Safety & Emergency Preparedness

• Operate as a First Aid Attendant.
• Maintain and test emergency response equipment including eyewash stations and AEDs.
• Participate in the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) and may chair meetings.
• Support safety orientations for staff, students, and researchers.
• Assist with incident reporting, documentation, and WorkSafeBC compliance.
• Help implement and evaluate emergency response drills and safety audits.

Qualifications & Experience Education & Certifications

• BSc or MSc (preferred) in Marine Sciences or a related field.
• Valid OFA First aid certification (Level 2 Preferred).
• Valid Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP) certification.

Skills & Experience

• Experienced cold-water diver.
• Extensive experience working from small boats in remote coastal waters.
• Knowledge of temperate costal marine organisms.
• Effective computer proficiency with O365, including MS Teams, Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Working knowledge of air fill stations, breathing air compressor operation and maintenance.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills including ability to communicate with BMSC staff members and its clientele.
• Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to interact in a friendly and professional manner with a range of clients and staff.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and accepted standard practices.

Additional Qualifications & Skills

• Certified Scuba Instructor, from an accredited Scuba agency.
• First aid and emergency oxygen provider instructor.
• CAUS Scientific Diver trained.
• Scuba equipment service technician.
• Knowledge and understanding of CAUS and WCB safety diving regulations.
• Knowledge of WCB occupational health and safety regulations.
• Experience in managing research diving activities.

Other Requirements

• Ability to safely and successfully perform all essential functions.
• Completion of an annual dive medical and be deemed medically fit from a recognized medical facility.
• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 80 lbs of dive apparatus and/or related equipment.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, and the names of two references to:

HR@bamfieldmsc.com. Please submit documents as PDFs and label them clearly with your first and last name and the position title (e.g., FirstName_LastName_ADSO2025_CoverLetter).

For further information about the BMSC and our research initiatives, please visit our website at https://bamfieldmsc.com.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

BMSC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.

As we are located in a remote area, we understand that additional considerations may be needed during the hiring process. We’re committed to providing accommodations at every stage, in accordance with the British Columbia Employment Standards Act (ESA). If you need any support or adjustments during the process, please reach out to our Human Resources team. All requests will be handled with care and confidentiality.