Disaster Shelter Volunteer Deployment Opportunity - Prince Georges

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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 interacts with clients to ensure their needs are met. Shelter Service Associates support the day-to-day activities within a shelter, which can include working in reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information or other areas within a shelter.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities vary depending on assignment.

· May include providing support to one or more of the following areas within the shelter:

o reception

o registration

o dormitory

o feeding

o information

o supply

· Provide excellent customer service to clients

· Complete the required virtual self-paced training (3.5 hours of training total)

Time Commitment

· Once trained, and upon request, this would be for a consecutive 14-day deployment.

· This role is for those able and interested in deploying outside of our region to other parts of the country that may need support. The path of a given disaster will determine where Red Cross' precise volunteer needs lie. Accepting this position means that:

o you have the interest and ability to travel outside of our region to help with a major disaster.

o You have 14 consecutive days to do so

o You are comfortable in-person (COVID vaccination strongly recommended)

o You understand, depending on the disaster, that hardships may apply, such as sleeping in a staff shelter.

Qualifications

Required:

· Willing and able to volunteer in person in a disaster shelter before, during and/or after a disaster event.

· Ability to work in a continuously changing environment in which work priorities may change frequently.

· Comfortable interacting with people from various diverse background whose lives have been disrupted and many are presenting immediate needs.

· Comfortable working in a team environment as a frontline worker under the direction of a Supervisor

· 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 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 may be 4, 8 or 12 hours long)

· Willing to complete 3.5 hours of virtual self-paced training required for position

· Ability to read, write, and follow verbal and written instructions in English