California Emergency Response Corps

Are you a natural leader who is passionate about helping vulnerable communities better prepared for natural disasters? Do you thrive in opportunities where you are building relationships, hosting workshops and working in a collaborative environment?
If your answers are "yes!," we’re looking for you!

The Agency

Youth Action Project (YAP) was established in 1998 as a youth-driven project to address youth issues. Our mission is to empower youth and young adults in the development of skills and habits needed for economic and social success.

The Program

California Emergency Response Corps (CERC) is a statewide preparedness/ response program whose goal is to help Californians become better prepared and to deploy to disasters such as wildfires, floods and earthquakes. Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) is the non-profit lead agency for the program. This program is part of a larger statewide California Volunteer campaign to boost emergency preparedness in communities experiencing social isolation, poverty, or language barriers, and food insecurities.

CaliforniaVolunteers, which manages California AmeriCorps programs, identified two counties that are especially vulnerable to the effects of disasters- Fresno and San Bernardino. The urgent need is to develop an infrastructure in these communities that can deliver emergency support to our vulnerable communities .

AmeriCorps Member Responsibilities

• Serve 40 hours per week
• Must be available to deploy to state-wide emergency operations up to 4 times; 2 weeks each as determined by California Volunteers
• Provide day to day support to nonprofit partner-site(s), their mission and internal programs (community outreach, mentoring youth, social media content creation)
• Attend recurring performance check-ins with CERC Management
• Complete mandatory training in-person or virtually as directed
• Weekly communication, documentation and timekeeping of hours and activities
• Support as needed for COVID- Relief activities (i.e. food distribution)
• Willingness to support and respond to local home fire recovery efforts in partnership with Red Cross
• Ability to serve all required State/National Service Days (MLK Day, Cesar Chavez, 911 Remembrance)

Community Outreach

• Strengthening partnerships with local community-based organizations and internal programs
• Attend events and trainings on behalf of partner-site and AmeriCorps program
• Conduct surveys and other measurable activities

* COVID Restrictions may require amendment to the service-delivery plan

Community Education

• Members will provide client-casework with local partners

Disaster Response

As needed, Members will deploy to disasters and provide appropriate assistance to the organization(s) directly managing the disaster response. Deployments will happen on very short notice up to two weeks. Members will be

trained on how to assist in disasters. After each disaster deployment, Members and staff will debrief in order to articulate lessons learned and improve policies and procedures for future disaster responses.

Qualifications

• Age 18 years or older
• U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
• Live locally to nonprofit partner for day-to-day service (Fresno or Inland Empire Area)
• Bachelor’s degree or two years professional or volunteer experience (in related fields)
• Ability to potentially serve evenings and weekends when needed
• Ability to deploy on short notice anywhere in California for disaster response four times yearly for up to two-weeks each deployment
• Strong ability and working knowledge of Microsoft Suite, Zoom, Google Suite and willingness to learn
• Due to recurring access or episodic access to vulnerable populations, service in this role is contingent on the following checks: DOJ, FBI and National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW). Successful completion of TB test, and COVID-19 testing prior to service. Candidates must also possess a personal automobile, a current California driver’s license and maintain valid automobile insurance. Availability to meet ongoing requirements.

Desired Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Experience working with community programs. non-profits, churches, community organizations preferred
• Ability to provide a consistent, professional, positive adult relationship with the public and host nonprofit site(s)
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills
• Enthusiastic about in-person and virtual community education / outreach
• Ability to serve independently and make decisions
• Willingness and ability to take initiative
• Experience working in group and team settings
• Ability to resolve differences professionally
• High-level organizational skills
• Management of assigned technology/equipment
• Ability to speak Spanish or other non-English language strongly preferred
• Demonstrable abilities in marketing, social media, A/V production and computer graphics are highly desirable, but not required

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to the mission and values of the partner- agency and National Service
• Strong leadership skills, flexibility and adaptation
• Growth mindset
• Ability to inspire others
• Ability to maintain motivation to achieve goals while dealing with challenges
• Committed to community building and service
• Can Do Attitude!

Semi-Monthly member stipend

$21K/annually ($1750.00/monthly) March 2021 through February 2022

Member Benefits

• Healthcare
• Segal Education Award of $10,195 managed through AmeriCorps National Trust Fund
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Great life experience and professional growth

All Members must maintain the expected hours of service of 40 hours per week; 1700 hours over 12 months. Service hours are typically, Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm.

To be considered, candidates must apply online at: www.Cal4All.bacr.org

Review role description, here: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/2409278205/