Habitat Diver I (Islamorada, FL)

About the role

Florida International University is a Top 50, preeminent public research university with 55,000 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries, as well as an alumni network of over 340,000. Located in the global city of Miami, the university offers more than 200 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, including medicine and law. FIU faculty are leaders in their fields and include National Academy members, Fulbright Scholars and MacArthur Genius Fellows. A Carnegie R1 institution, FIU drives impactful research in environmental resilience, health and technology and innovation. Home to the Wall of Wind and Institute of Environment, FIU stands at the forefront of discovery and innovation. With a focus on student success, economic mobility and community engagement, FIU is redefining what it means to be a public research university.

Job Summary

Learns and executes complex underwater maintenance, offshore rigging operations, and saturation diving support activities for the Aquarius Reef Base habitat, utilizing SCUBA and surface-supplied diving systems up to 100 feet of seawater. Supports both land-based and offshore recompression chamber operations in alignment with program objectives.

• Learns and executes complex underwater maintenance, offshore rigging operations, and saturation diving support activities for the Aquarius Reef Base habitat, utilizing SCUBA and surface-supplied diving systems up to a depth up to 100 feet of seawater. Supports both land-based and offshore recompression chamber operations in alignment with program objectives.
• Provides critical offshore operational, logistical, and emergency response support to the Aquarius Habitat program; oversees the functionality, readiness, and performance of underwater laboratory systems, small vessels, and onboard life support systems.
• Plans, coordinates, and directs diving operations to ensure safe and effective execution of scientific and operational objectives; partners closely with scientists, stakeholders, and clients to achieve mission goals.
• Oversees the operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of underwater laboratory equipment and technical support systems, including high- and low-pressure gas systems, environmental control units, and life support infrastructure. Assists scientists and clients in accomplishment of underwater activities and objectives.
• Serves in a lead technical role within the Aquarius Habitat during saturation missions, ensuring operational integrity of onboard systems, coordinating mission activities, and supporting aquanaut performance and safety.
• Facilitates the successful execution of underwater missions by providing technical expertise in experiment deployment and recovery, data collection, documentation, imaging, and sampling activities.
• Manages shore-based operational support functions, ensuring seamless coordination between offshore and onshore activities.
• Acts as a safety leader by serving as a standby diver and ensuring compliance with all applicable diving safety standards and protocols for SCUBA and surface-supplied operations. Plans, prioritizes, and oversees special projects and operational initiatives, ensuring alignment with program goals and timelines.
• Operates recompression chamber operations and contributes to safe, compliant execution under established guidelines.
• Collaborates in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of inspection protocols, operational documentation, and mission schedules for the Aquarius Reef Base habitat.
• Coordinates resources including personnel, equipment, and procedures for complex saturation diving missions to optimize operational efficiency and mission success.
• Contributes to training initiatives by supporting the development and delivery of specialized diving instruction in partnership with the Diving Safety Officer.
• Oversees and performs advanced underwater and topside rigging operations, including lift planning and execution involving heavy loads. Serves as a crew member under USCG regulations which requires random drug screening.
• Performs essential duties in any emergencies such as hurricanes, storms, and/or any other university emergency closing. The employee is expected to be available to report to work as needed during university emergency closing with appropriate notification of a department administrator.
• Applies technical expertise to perform and oversee electrical, plumbing, and mechanical maintenance activities in both underwater and topside environments.
• Ensures compliance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations, including fulfilling duties as a designated crew member and adhering to safety and testing requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Commercial Diving school or Military Dive school or related field OJT and 2 years of commercial/Military diving experience.

Departmental Requirements

Within 6 months of employment, the employee must complete the Personal Qualification Standards (PQS) for this position as described in the departmental procedure.

Desired Qualifications

• SCUBA diving certification.
• ADCI or DCBC card holder or documented On-the-Job (OJT) training with a commercial diving company.
• CPR/First Aid.

Job Category

Administrative

Advertised Salary

$70,000 - $80,000

Work Schedule

Begin time: 8:30 AM
End time: 5:00 PM

Working Conditions

• Boating / Water Craft
• Live Animals
• Operating University Vehicles (all types)
• Power Tools
• Scientific Diving
• Exposure to high places, hazardous conditions, equipment and situations.
• Lifting, carrying, or pushing/pulling equipment.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Criminal Background Check
• Driver's License Check
• Drug Screening

How To Apply

• Prospective Employee: If you have not created a registered account, you will be asked to create a username and password for use of the system. It is recommended that you provide an active/valid e-mail account as that will be the main source of communication regarding your status within the process. In this account, you are able to track your applicant status in "My Applications".
• To be considered eligible for the position as an internal candidate, departmental staff must meet minimum requirements of the position and be in good performance standing.
• Before you begin the process, we recommend that you are prepared to attach electronic copies of your resume, cover letter or any other documents within the application process. It is recommended that you combine your cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae into one attachment. Attached documents should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. All applicants are required to complete the online application including work history and educational details (if applicable), even when attaching a resume.