What are we looking for from prospective candidates?
Please understand that we receive many inquiries regarding becoming a Conservation Diver Trainer by SCUBA diving instructors who are used to the systems of the world’s leading SCUBA certification agencies. Most notably, a system where anybody can sign up and pay their fees and be virtually guaranteed to become an instructor, and are also given the ability to teach courses for which they have very little qualifications or training for. This is not the model that we intend to use for our certification body.
- Master’s Degrees in related fields looking to apply their knowledge to teaching in order to support their research ambitions and facilitate their academic lives, working and living in the field.
- Marine Conservation Program managers that are looking to increase their skills in order to add value to their programs and increase the available courses they offer to students and customers.
- Professional scuba divers who have shown a distinct interest in marine conservation and are now looking to make scientific diving their area of focus. (This is not an opportunity to pad your resume. If you are looking to learn more about the reef environment, increase your skills, or be a better ambassador for the divers you teach then please see our student level programs)
- Current Research Assistants at our programs that have shown dedication to study and proven their capabilities to perform the majority of our courses to an exceptional standard. These candidates must have a written recommendation from their Conservation Diver Trainer.
- Local marine conservationist or reef managers that are looking for a way to improve, learn and support their work.
- With the exception of those already with a Marine Conservation Program, applications will be looked upon favourable if they are accompanied by a clear set of goals for the future and supporting business plan.
Below is a diagram explaining the Conservation Diver career progression stages:
EMP Trainer
Pre-requisites:
- Professional divemaster or above
This is our first Trainer level, and it will equip you with the skills required to manage and teach our Ecological Monitoring Program (EMP) in your area. The training for this course usually follows the demonstration of proficiency in the student-level course. Those who already have experience working in diving professionally and/or underwater monitoring will have an advantage here as much of the assessment is based on the ability to manage and organize the in-water monitoring protocols for a transect line survey. The academic portion the EMP course is lighter compared to our further courses, but we expect Trainers to be able to talk around topics, provide in-depth knowledge where required, and install passion into their students.
This Trainer level is ideal for someone looking to set a certain monitoring standard for their students/centers and who is looking to begin an EMP in their region.
Instructor Trainer
Prerequisites:
- Professional dive instructor or a divemaster who has 5+ years of experience
These trainers are usually Program Director/Owners of a marine conservation program with proven proficiency in teaching, experience with publishing scientific papers and developing research opportunities.
If, after reading the above, you are in agreement that the rigor in which we choose our trainers is in line with setting a high standard for marine conservation and scientific diver training worldwide and feel that you could be part of our network, then please get in touch with as at: [email protected]
Specialty Trainer
The step between EMP Trainer and Specialty is a large one. The Trainers must demonstrate a deep understanding of our various monitoring, restoration, or protection processes that are being applied to their region of the world.
Specialty Trainer status will be given when you can train students in ≥5 courses or when you have developed at least one unique course with Conservation Diver, for which you will continue to be our in-house expert and course moderator.
Master Trainer
This status is achieved once you have been signed off to teach ≥10 courses or when you are a Specialty Trainer who has achieved Program Manager level within a marine conservation program, whose conservation and research outputs have been reviewed by Conservation Diver.