Employment

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions advertise locally through the Cairns Post as positions become available. You may complete an online application form which will be held on file and submitted for consideration when we next advertise for crew.

Work Permits

If you are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen, you will require a work permit for Australia. Preference is given to applicants who are already in Australia, have valid work permits and are not limited in the length of time they may work for us.

COVID-19 Vaccination

Please refer to our COVID-19 Virus Travel Updates.

Applications

For vessel and office applications, please click here.

Expedition Volunteer

For information on Mike Ball Dive Expeditions dive industry experience program please click here. Applications open first week of each month.

Positions

Below are some sample position descriptions of roles that become available from time to time.

Chef
Requirements: Primary Functions & Responsibilities:
  • Professional training and experience in wide range of cooking.
  • Attractive easy going personality to cope with demands from passengers and stress of work.
  • PADI Divemaster and liability insurance (preferred).
  • Elements of Shipboard Safety Certificate (or higher).
  • Operate according to our “catering system”.
  • Order supplies, arrange delivery, check all supplies against invoice and stow supplies.
  • Assess and meet passengers culinary needs and wants.
  • Operate within catering budget, contribute to budgeting and menu planning.
  • Provide consistent high quality meals.
  • Maintain high standard of hygiene.
  • Supervise and train Cruise Attendant and Expedition Volunteer.
Dive Instructor
Requirements: Primary Functions & Responsibilities:
  • PADI instructor, liability insurance.
  • Possess a restricted coxswains ticket or higher.
  • Current training in senior first aid plus oxygen administration and defibrillation
  • Nitrox certified
  • Instruction in dive courses
  • Provide hospitality to guests
  • Ensure safety of guests
  • Ensure dive equipment used onboard is safe, serviceable and accounted for
  • Dive deck preparation and service
  • Lookout duties
  • Other duties as directed by the Trip Director and Vessel Master
  • Additional Duties – Trip Direct or Video Pro preparation
Cruise Attendant
Requirements: Primary Functions & Responsibilities:
  • PADI divemaster and liability insurance. (preferred)
  • Outgoing charismatic personality.
  • Experience in hospitality industry.
  • Elements of Shipboard Safety Certificate (or higher).
  • Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificate.
  • Ensure efficient operation of bar.
  • Assist chef with preparation and clean up of meals.
  • Daily cleaning and service of cabins.
  • Appearance and presentation of dining and lounge areas.
  • Control of linen and laundry.
  • Ensure efficient operation of ship shop.
  • Meeting the needs of passengers.
  • Other duties as directed by the master.
Underwater Photo & Video Pro
Requirements: Primary Functions & Responsibilities:
  • Possess an outgoing charismatic personality.
  • Management skills including leadership, initiative and interpersonal skills.
  • PADI OWSI certification with 2 years teaching experience, PADI specialty instructor in: photography; videography; naturalist and nitrox.
  • Current training in first aid plus oxygen administration and CPR / EAR.
  • Restricted coxswains certification.
  • Hospitality experience, 2 years.
  • Experience in reef ecology.
  • Foreign language skills (preferred).
  • Dive deck service.
  • Video services.
  • Camera services.
  • Photo competition.
  • Group photos.
  • Photo and footage storage.
  • Equipment maintenance.
  • Present reef ecology program.
  • Develop promotional opportunities.
  • Additional functions – trip director preparation.
Engineer
Requirements: Primary Functions & Responsibilities:
  • USL MED2 or higher.
  • PADI divemaster, nitrox blender, liability insurance.
  • Possess a restricted coxswain ticket or higher.
  • All personal dive/scuba gear and dive light.
  • Scuba equipment service ticket (US Divers).
  • Develop and maintain maintenance schedule for all ships machinery and apparatus.
  • Develop and maintain inventory, storage and order system for tools and spares. Demonstrate human resource skills.
  • Divemaster Duties – as required as soon as ship duties completed.
  • Other Duties – maintain accurate records of all services/work carried out on all vessel running gear by completing entries into maintenance manual.
Master
Requirements: Primary Functions & Responsibilities:
  • Management skills including leadership, initiative and interpersonal skills.
  • Minimum unrestricted USL Master Class 4.
  • Engineering experience would be beneficial.
  • PADI divemaster with liability insurance (preferred).
  • Possess personal dive equipment, except tanks.
  • Nitrox certified (preferred).
  • Demonstrate human resource skills.
  • Provide hospitality to guests.
  • Manage vessel crew and catering staff.
  • Reporting and communication.
  • Ensure safety of guests and crew.
  • Maintain all areas of vessel in ship shape condition.
  • Manage vessel finances.
  • Oversee engineering.
  • Oversee catering.
  • Oversee ship shop.
Trip Director
Requirements: Primary Functions & Responsibilities:
  • Possess an outgoing charismatic personality.
  • Management skills including leadership, initiative and interpersonal skills.
  • PADI OWSI certification with 2 years teaching experience, 100 certifications and 400 dives.
  • Current training in first aid and emergency oxygen administration.
  • Restricted coxswains certification.
  • Hospitality experience, 2 years.
  • Nitrox instructor certification with liability insurance.
  • Scuba equipment service ticket (US Divers).
  • Experience in reef ecology and underwater photography.
  • Foreign language skills (preferred).
  • Demonstrate human resource skills.
  • Provide hospitality to guests.
  • Manage dive staff and photo pro.
  • Reporting and communication.
  • Ensure safety of guests and crew.
  • Ensure dive equipment used onboard is safe, serviceable and accounted for.
  • Oversee dive operations.
  • Provide an appropriate level of non dive activities.
  • Develop promotional opportunities.
  • Oversee reef ecology program.
  • Oversee photo and video service and instruction on board.
  • Administer aspects of vessel finances.
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Mike Ball Dive Expeditions