Dive volunteer

We're not currently accepting applications for this position.

Help us maintain underwater Aquarium exhibits like Monterey Bay Habitats, Sea Otters, and our Kelp Forest.

Duties

• Volunteer dive duties include animal observation, exhibit care, bottom-siphoning, and feeding and presentations.

Age requirements

• Must be age 18 and older to apply for Aquarium diving certification.

Certification and experience requirements

• CPR, FA, AED, and O2 provider certifications; Photocopies of your current certification cards or equivalent must be provided.
• Applicants must be Open Water, Advanced, and Rescue certified from a nationally recognized scuba agency (or equivalent) and produce dive logs that document experience of at least 20 dives in Monterey Bay or similar cold-water environments within the last five years.

Physical and skill requirements

• Must pass an occupational diving physical. This is an extensive physical that goes beyond a routine physical; proper physical conditioning is required. This physical is paid for by the Aquarium (excluding any additional testing deemed necessary by our diving physician).
• Must successfully perform in swimming tests in the presence of the dive safety officer, or an examiner approved by the DSO.
• Must pass a scuba skills evaluation in the presence and to the satisfaction of the DSO, or an examiner approved by the DSO. All skills shall be performed in scuba diving gear appropriate to the conditions found in Monterey Bay.

Equipment requirements

• Each applicant must provide their own mask, dive weights, and thermal protection. The Dive Office will inspect all equipment to ensure it meets Aquarium standards before use in any Aquarium diving activities. All other equipment will be provided by the Aquarium.

Training requirements

• Applicants must complete assigned training modules in a timely manner. Knowledge reviews will cover topics including, but not limited to, diving safety and planning, equipment, physics and physiology, emergency rescue procedures, and Aquarium diving standards and procedures. Minimum passing score for all assessments is 80 percent.

Time commitment

• A one-year minimum with at least one recurring maintenance shift every other week. Each diver will commit to a minimum of 24 dives annually. 

Maintenance shift schedule:

Tuesdays at 4 p.m. 
Thursdays at 4 p.m. 
Saturdays at 9 a.m.

Benefits

• A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet people from around the world
• Professional training and development
• Valuable networking opportunities
• A deeper understanding of why protecting the ocean is important
• Gift shop and cafe discounts
• Invitations to social events
• Free parking for regular volunteers during shifts
• An enhanced sense of adventure

How to apply

We're not currently accepting applications for this position.

Check our other volunteer positions