ALERT! When disaster strike, you can help strike back! Be the Disaster Shelter in the storm!

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Be a source of refuge and support when disasters strike! Fires and storms are unexpected, but you can join one of our local teams that are trained to respond to emergencies. Be that help comfort and support people who are forced from their homes due to fires, storms, and other emergencies so they don’t have to face tough times alone! People affected by disaster need your support and care! As a Red Cross Shelter volunteer, you'll be part of a team providing a safe place to rest and a path toward recovery. If you can travel outside of your local area, a commitment of a least 14 consecutive days to volunteer for 8- or 12-hour shifts is needed (we'll provide travel accommodations). OR stay local. If the need arises, volunteers are asked to commit to multiple local shifts of 4, 6 or 12 hours each. The hours are long, the work is hard, but the experience will change you forever!

Purpose: The Shelter (SH) Supervisor (SV) is a temporary position assigned to work in person in a Red Cross shelter before, during, and/or after a disaster event. Shelter Supervisors supervise a team of assigned workers to successfully complete tasks necessary for shelter operations and aid disaster clients. Shelter Supervisorsguide and support the day-to-day activities within a shelter which may include working in reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information, or other areas within a shelter.

Key Responsibilities: Shelter Supervisor (MC/SH/SV)

• Embody and share the fundamental principles of the American Red Cross in their work with clients, disaster responders, and partners
• Oversee and support services provided to clients as assigned either to a specific area or as a shift supervisor
• Ensure a safe shelter environment where rules, guidelines, and schedules are followed while accommodating individual needs and showing compassion for all clients
• Work with Shelter Manager to ensure that services provided are efficient and cost-effective
• Maintain a productive, organized, supported shelter team
• Provide complete and timely submissions of all required and requested reports
• Complete the required virtual self-paced and instructor-led training (17 hours of training total)

Qualifications: Required:

• Willing and able to volunteer in person in a disaster shelter before, during, and/or after a disaster event
• Ability to build appropriate and effective relationships with co-workers and shelter residents.
• Ability to support and correct team and individual performance, manage conflict and ask for help early on so that workflow and service delivery does not impact shelter residents or the shelter community.
• Demonstrate clear, concise, and effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability to lift/carry 20 lbs. multiple times per shift.
• Ability to stand and or sit for two-hour periods and walk for two miles during a shift.
• Ability to walk on uneven terrain.
• Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather, extreme heat and/or humidity, and/or extreme cold.
• Ability to climb two or more flights of stairs.
• Ability to speak clearly on phone and in person.
• Ability to work for long periods on the computer and/or reading small print and/or writing.
• Valid Driver’s License (required for Divisional and National Deployments)
• Minimum 18 years of age
• Available to sign up for shifts on consecutive days (shifts maybe 8 or 12 hours long)
• Minimum 2 years experience supervising a team of 5 or larger
• Willing to complete 17 hours of virtual self-paced and instructor-led training required for the position
• Ability to read, write, and follow verbal and written instructions in English

Purpose: The Shelter (SH) Service Associate (SA) is a temporary position assigned to work in person in a Red Cross shelter before, during, and/or after a disaster event. Shelter Service Associates complete tasks necessary for shelter operations and provide assistance for disaster clients. Shelter Service Associates support the day-to-day activities within a shelter which may include working in reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information, or other areas within a shelter.

Key Responsibilities: Shelter Service Associate (MC/SH/SA).

• Embody the fundamental principles of the American Red Cross in their work with clients, disaster responders, and partners
• Serve as a shelter worker on a disaster relief operation; roles may include working in reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information, or other areas within a shelter.
• Meet disaster-caused sheltering needs of individuals, families, and communities.
• Provide services with kindness and compassion that are accessible and equitable to all clients.
• Maintain clear communication and collaboration with supervisors and peers.
• Complete the required virtual self-paced training (3.5 hours of training total)

Qualifications: Required:

• Willing and able to volunteer in person in a disaster shelter before, during and/or after a disaster event.
• Ability to build appropriate and effective relationships with co-workers and shelter residents.
• Ability to support and correct performance, manage conflict and ask for help early on so that workflow and service delivery does not impact shelter residents or the shelter community.
• Demonstrate clear, concise, and effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability to lift/carry 20 lbs. multiple times per shift.
• Ability to stand and/or sit for two-hour periods and walk for two miles during a shift.
• Ability to walk on uneven terrain.
• Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather, extreme heat and/or humidity, and/or extreme cold.
• Ability to climb two or more flights of stairs.
• Ability to speak clearly on phone and in person.
• Ability to work for long periods on the computer and/or reading small print and/or writing.
• Valid Driver’s License (required for Divisional and National Deployments)
• Minimum 18 years of age
• Available to sign up for shifts on consecutive days (shifts maybe 4, 8, or 12 hours long)
• Willing to complete 3.5 hours of virtual self-paced training required for the position
• Ability to read, write, and follow verbal and written instructions in English

Time Commitment: Varies by disaster

Sign-up to volunteer today ! Please email questions to Kari Strain, the Sr. Volunteer Recruiter Specialist, at Kari.strain@redcross.org or (509) 679-8795.