Qualifications / Position Descriptions
Position Expectations
Aggressor yachts, lodges and river cruises strive to employ well-rounded, sensitive staff, both men and women, who enjoy providing the highest levels of service. It is the responsibility of each staff member to make every effort to ensure guests’ satisfaction.
At A Minimum – All staff are expected to have these traits:
Professionalism:
Staff are expected to maintain a professional attitude at all times and in accordance with the “Standard Operating Procedures”. We want “self-starters” who can anticipate guests’ needs and handle guest requests promptly.
Personality:
Staff are selected based on their personality and ability to relate to others. They must be able to maintain a good working relationship with fellow staff members and understand the needs and requirements of providing superior service.
Appearance:
All staff must maintain a professional appearance at all times and adhere to the dress code while working and within the community.
What Else?
One factor that carries a lot of weight in the hiring process is determining “what else” an applicant can do aboard the yacht. Do you enjoy cooking, and can you work in the galley? Do you have small engine or diesel engine repairs skills? Were you an electrician, plumber, or carpenter in a previous career? Hiring staff with multiple skills helps the staff become more be more flexible and versatile.
STCW (Aggressor Yacht Applicants):
While not required for all positions, preferential consideration will be given to candidates who have obtained the STCW certification as a professional mariner. More details on this can be found here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STCW_Convention
Good Citizens:
If you are an ex-patriot (non-resident of the country you will be working in), the local company will typically be required to obtain a work permit on your behalf. In order to obtain a work permit, applicants are screened in numerous ways including having to provide proof of specialized skills qualifying them for the position, medical fitness and no criminal activity. Candidates whose permanent records include issues with law enforcement for items such as DUIs, drug possession, or more serious criminal offenses may be unable to obtain a work permit.
Other:
We have a zero tolerance for illegal drugs and narcotics, and have a strict policy prohibiting the consumption of alcohol while on charter or duty. There is very limited space and time for smoking on board and preference is given to non-smoker candidates.
Position Descriptions
Captain
Recruited Captains operate in the “Captain In Command” organization structure and are truly “Master of the Vessel”. The Captain is entrusted to care for the safe transport of our guests, maintaining a multi-million-dollar yacht, and ensuring that our guests experience the “WOW” every week. Some yachts will also have a “2nd Captain” position where the person will serve as 1st Mate during regular weeks and Relief Captain when the primary Captain is on leave.
Minimum Requirements:
- Minimum 200-ton captain’s license from a recognized agency; 500-ton or greater with GMDSS will receive first priority
- Experience handling sizable vessels
- STCW-95 certificates for maritime work and command
- Basic mechanical capabilities
- Computer experience with proficiency in email, Word, Excel
- Scuba diving experience
- Good staff management experience
- Experience and ability to work within a specified budget
- Strong command of the English language and ability to speak in front of groups of people
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Dive Instructor rating
- Engineer’s certificate or advanced mechanical experience
- Non-smoker
- Prior experience as a staff member on Aggressor Liveaboards for 1st Captain positions
Cruise Director
Cruise Directors are hired on yachts using the “Captain and Cruise Director” organizational model. The Cruise Director is responsible for guiding and overseeing all interaction with guests. They are the business manager onboard and personally oversee the hotel and diving operations. The Cruise Director makes sure guests see the “WOW” every week, regardless of what’s going on behind the scenes.
Minimum Requirements:
- Dive instructor rating
- Strong computer experience - email, Word, Excel
- People management experience
- Strong command of the English language and ability to speak in front of groups of people
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Prior experience as staff on Aggressor Liveaboards®
- Prior experience as a photo / video pro
- STCW-95 certificates for maritime work and command
- Non-smoker
Engineer
The engineer is charged with servicing and keeping all the mechanical systems in good working order while also seeing to the overall upkeep and repair of the public areas. Please note that licensed engineers are not required by all flag regulations in all destinations. The right candidate will be someone willing to take ownership for the smooth running of the yacht. They are personally responsible for maintaining clean and organized machinery spaces. This job is well-suited to someone who takes pride in their work, is a self-starter, organized, and able to stick to a preventative maintenance schedule.
Minimum Requirements:
- Strong engineering skills, with an interest in helping out with dive operations
- Experience working on small passenger yachts or commercial yachts with compressors, water makers, and outboard motors
- Thorough understanding of diesel engines and generators
- Experience working with electricity, plumbing, and welding
- Knowledge and experience with air conditioning systems
- Knowledge and experience with high-pressure and low-pressure compressors
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Ship Engineer’s license
- A Captain’s license (200-ton preferred)
- Dive Instructor rating
- STCW certification
- Non-smoker
Photo/Video Pro
The yacht’s Photo/Video Pro performs the same duties as Dive Instructors, with the added responsibility of teaching underwater photography and videography courses, and producing the weekly ‘memories digital slide show’ given to guests and the trip DVD.
Applicants for this position must show proof of this skill by providing a small portfolio of their work. This position is typically the first step in advancement for staff members initially hired as dive instructors.
Minimum Requirements:
- Teaching status Dive Instructor with a minimum one-year experience
- Ability to teach multiple specialty courses including Nitrox, Deep Diving, Night Diving, and Underwater Navigation
- Ability to teach Underwater Photography and Underwater Videography specialty courses
- Current certifications in First Aid, CPR, and 02 provider & AED
- STCW certification
- Own and use a personal underwater digital still and/or video camera
- DAN Diving Accident Insurance
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- STCW certification
- Non-smoker
Position Requirements - Dive Instructor
Dive Instructors’ key area of responsibility is the safe planning and execution of diving activities onboard. They coordinate everything from rental equipment, to dive briefings, to helping guests find those rare creatures underwater, and teaching courses requested by our guests.
Minimum Requirements:
- Teaching status instructor with a minimum one-year experience
- Ability to teach multiple specialty courses including Nitrox, Deep Diving, Night Diving, and Underwater Navigation
- Current certifications in First Aid, CPR, 02 provider & AED
- DAN Diving Accident Insurance
- Must own complete set of scuba equipment
- Fluent in English
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Other desired skills or experience in cooking and/or engineering
- Captain’s license (200-ton preferred)
- Engineer certification or vast boating experience
- STCW certification
- Citizenship or right to work in operating country of the yacht
- Non-smoker
Position Requirements - Divemaster
Divemasters are diving professionals from the country that the yacht operates in. Divemasters’ key area of responsibility is the safe planning and execution of diving activities onboard. They coordinate everything from rental equipment, to dive briefings, to helping guests find those rare creatures underwater. When not diving, Divemasters are also responsible for hotel and galley assignments.
Minimum Requirements:
- Citizenship or right to work in operating country of the yacht
- Certified as a Divemaster or Dive Guide Professional from a recognized SCUBA training agency
- DAN Diving Accident Insurance
- Must own complete set of scuba equipment
- Fluent in English
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Other desired skills or experience in cooking and/or engineering
- Current certifications in First Aid, CPR, 02 provider & AED
- Vast boating experience
- STCW certification
- Non-smoker
Chef
Our Chefs are culinary artists and passionate about food. As a chef you are responsible for cooking three meals, plus two between meal healthy snacks for 20 guests and 6-8 staff daily while delivering everything on time according to the daily schedule. Our Chefs are responsible for planning their own menus and shopping for supplies each week based on the dietary needs and requests from our guests. Our Chefs are strongly encouraged to use fresh local ingredients to support the local economy that they operate in.
Minimum Requirements:
- Kitchen experience as Chef, Sous Chef, or Line Chef
- Ability to create and execute protein-based and vegetarian main courses
- Experience with menu planning, food costing, and working within a budget
- Ability to buy and portion food for multi-day trips
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Professional Chef/Culinary training
- Experience working and cooking onboard a ship/yacht, and/or remote location
- Certified diver
- STCW certification
- Non-smoker
Steward/Galley Assistant
(Not available on all yachts)
This position is responsible for ensuring a superior guest experience while on board the yacht by assisting the Chef in the galley, performing housekeeping duties around the yacht, and fulfilling any guest’s needs and requests.
Minimum Requirements:
- Citizenship or right to work in operating country of the yacht
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- STCW certification
- Certified diver
- Desire to participate in on-the-job training to fulfill the role of Relief Chef
- Non-smoker
Captain
Recruited Captains operate in the “Captain In Command” organization structure and are truly “Master of the Vessel”. The Captain is entrusted to care for the safe transport of our guests, maintaining a multi-million-dollar yacht, and ensuring that our guests experience the “WOW” every week. Some yachts will also have a “2nd Captain” position where the person will serve as 1st Mate during regular weeks and Relief Captain when the primary Captain is on leave.
Minimum Requirements:
- Minimum 200-ton captain’s license from a recognized agency; 500-ton or greater with GMDSS will receive first priority
- Experience handling sizable vessels
- STCW-95 certificates for maritime work and command
- Basic mechanical capabilities
- Computer experience with proficiency in email, Word, Excel
- Scuba diving experience
- Good staff management experience
- Experience and ability to work within a specified budget
- Strong command of the English language and ability to speak in front of groups of people
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Dive Instructor rating
- Engineer’s certificate or advanced mechanical experience
- Non-smoker
- Prior experience as a staff member on Aggressor Liveaboards for 1st Captain positions