Disability Integration Regional Program Member for Disaster Cycle Services

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Disability Integration Regional Lead is a region-level position that serves as a field-based subject matter expert (SME) in disability integration, inclusion, and access and functional needs to meet the Readiness goals of the organization throughout the entire disaster cycle of Prepare, Respond, and Recover. Disability Integration Regional Leads provide subject matter consultation and guidance to regional disaster leadership in planning for and responding to disasters that impact individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, and act as ambassadors in relationships with local and state emergency management, disability stakeholders, and state and local community partners. Additionally, they are instrumental in building regional capacity by providing training, guidance, information, and Disability Integration Network expertise to local and regional leadership and volunteers.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Facilitates disability integration throughout the Region by developing support to disaster responders via regular meetings, conference calls, and exercises, to develop regional knowledge of integration and inclusion of individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, throughout the entire disaster cycle of Prepare, Respond, Recover.
2. Assists with external relationship building among governmental and non-governmental partners, to include promoting awareness of disaster-related disability integration issues across the full disaster cycle of Prepare, Respond, and Recover.
3. Demonstrates leadership and professionalism at all times as an ambassador for Disability Integration.
4. Participates in disaster-related speaking engagements and/or trainings upon request, including the delivery of National Headquarters (NHQ) -approved disability integration and equal access training at Disaster Institutes.
5. Provides technical information, expertise, and recommendations as a subject matter expert to disaster leadership teams.
6. Works closely with region disaster leadership and coordinates with chapter, division and NHQ liaisons regarding disability integration and equal access matters in local, regional, and state disaster preparedness.
7. If designated as the state liaison for disaster preparedness in disability integration and equal access services, the Disability Integration Regional Lead will also be responsible for building local, regional, and state partnerships with appropriate entities, e.g., Public Health Departments, State Disaster Behavioral Health Office, State Emergency Management Functional Needs Support Services, Statewide Councils on Independent Living. This includes acting as liaison to state-level disability integration and service entities regarding disaster-specific disability integration, especially inclusive disaster planning and functional needs support services, as well educating these entities regarding Red Cross Disability Integration activities. The state liaison will also monitor state legislation that affects Disability Integration and review state-level disaster plans and pandemic/all hazards plans and provide feedback and collaborate with the DDSRD on state-level relationships and plans with external partners.
8. Participates in regular conference calls with the Division Disability Integration Advisor to receive DI Network changes and updates and is responsible for disseminating those changes to the chapters in their home Region.
9. Is familiar with current disaster functional guidance on The Exchange and other Intranet sites, such as Sheltering, Feeding, Damage Assessment, Client Casework and Recovery, Disaster Mental Health, and Disaster Health Services.
10. Demonstrates proficiency in current Red Cross systems and educates others regarding their usage.
11. Collaborates with the National Disability Integration Network, the Ability Network, and other functional teams.
12. Assists volunteers with disabilities and other access and functional needs to participate in Red Cross volunteer opportunities, and helps regional chapters understand how to integrate persons with disabilities into the paid and volunteer workforce.

• Active in Disaster Cycle Services and affiliated with a chapter, and/or a representative of the disability community with an interest in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, required
• Supervisor preferred in at least one disaster workforce GAP, or at least two years Red Cross or equivalent disaster experience with another organization or agency, preferably in a variety of GAPs, activities, or areas; or, if job-sharing, experience in disability community emergency preparedness and response, required
• Holds, or obtains within 6 months, Disaster Basic Instructor Relationships, to facilitate the instruction of Everyone Is Welcome and other Disability Integration training courses as developed, required
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to represent the American Red Cross in a professional manner, required
• Ability to work with volunteers, employees, government, donors, and the public, required
• Computer proficiency using email, Microsoft Word, and Excel, required
• Ability to resolve problems, collaborate, lead change, network, and recruit, required
• Experience with the ADA, FHA or other disability related legal documents, preferred
• Skills or experience working with people who have disabilities, preferred