Illinois Disaster Corps Member

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Recruiting Organization: American Red Cross-Illinois Region

****For those interested in applying, please visit: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=106682

Job Summary

Illinois Disaster Corps members will serve to organize community members across Illinois in making their cities, schools, organizations and households more resilient to emergencies. The member’s primary responsibility will be to teach, coordinate and lead emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities in their assigned territories in support of the American Red Cross.

NOTE: Due to the ever-changing nature of the disaster relief environment, members must be well-suited and willing to perform both in-person and digital-based service in support of various Red Cross disaster response operation needs. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 response environment, many duties described below may be modified to meet the operational needs of the organization while also protecting the best interest of our disaster workforce and AmeriCorps team.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1) Teach youth and adult emergency preparedness programming, including CPR and First Aid certification courses (~50% of service); Develop events to assist in providing health, safety and disaster education to underserved populations.

2) Provide office-, phone-, and field-based relief services (recovery casework, feeding, sheltering, distribution of emergency supplies and volunteer coordination) to local and regional American Red Cross or State of Illinois disaster response operations requiring AmeriCorps support, including during evening/weekend hours as the need arises (~30% of service)

a. When requested by the State of Illinois, members will set up and operate a volunteer reception center or donations management facility. In partnership with local and state government entities, non-profit organizations, and other community-based organizations, Illinois Disaster Corps members will enable local volunteers to help their own communities recover after a disaster.

b. Members may be eligible for voluntary deployment beyond Illinois on a case-by-case basis, generally for a period of up to two weeks up to twice per term. Deployment opportunity beyond Illinois is at the discretion of the program

3) Complete in-person and online trainings through the American Red Cross, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, among others (~20% of service)

4) Identify emergency-related community needs; Build community partnerships. Establish and maintain relationships with local schools, school councils, and community based organizations, thereby developing capacity to provide Red Cross health, safety and disaster courses to meet needs as identified

5) Volunteer management, training and recruitment

a. Utilize Volunteer Connection system and other tracking mechanisms to monitor the onboarding of volunteers recruited

6) Collaborate with other Corporation for National Service programs in the community

a. Participate in the National Days of Service (Veterans Day, etc.)

7) Complete and maintain required records including: pre/post-tests of students, teacher/participant surveys, student demographic data, class rosters, etc.

8) Participate in required training activities and regular AmeriCorps meetings: an initial intensive training orientation, regular trainings, bi-weekly team meetings, weekly supervisor check-ins, and other meetings throughout Illinois as needed

9) Participate in a variety of professional development, team-building, and other opportunities as scheduled.

Qualifications

1) Knowledge of Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, SharePoint, and Outlook) and telephone protocol. Duties require professional verbal and written communication skills.

2) Valid Driver’s License is REQUIRED; reliable transportation is REQUIRED.

3) Commitment to volunteerism, including a record of past volunteer experience.

4) Strong communication skills, including public speaking.

5) Experience with or interest in working with disaster vulnerable populations including youth, seniors, those with disabilities, low-income residents, and those with limited English proficiency.

6) Ability to work independently.

7) Ability to recruit and motivate volunteers.

8) Bilingual English/Spanish speakers encouraged to apply.

Work Requirements

· Member will be required to become a Lay Responder First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor within the first 30 days of the term of service. Members must receive student certification and pass instructor level Red Cross safety and health courses.

· Member must be willing to teach classes during the evenings and on the weekends and respond to disasters within same timeframe, often on short notice, if necessary

· Must be willing to travel anywhere within the state to perform regular job duties, including overnight as needed for required trainings and service activities

· Must be willing to commit to a 48-week (11 -month) Full Time (FT) position (1700 hours, average 38-40 hours per week). This service must be conducted under supervision, and is generally to be scheduled during normal business hours (7am to 6pm, Monday through Friday), unless teaching in the assigned community or participating in approved disaster response/recovery activities.

· Those who successfully complete an initial term of service may apply to renew for an additional year.

Background Check

· Must pass FBI background check, State of Illinois Police background check, state of residency checks as well as submit to a Sex Offender National Data Base background check

Compensation

· First-year members will receive a taxable living allowance of $16,000 paid in bi-weekly increments for the term of service.

· Use of Red Cross vehicles for transportation from assigned work site to courses/community activities, or personal vehicle mileage reimbursement with prior approval

· Upon successful completion of 1700 hours of service the Member will receive an Educational Award from the National Service Trust valued at $6,345.00. · For more information about AmeriCorps please visit www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps or www.redcross.org/americorps

Stipend ProvidedFalse

Training ProvidedFalse

Housing AvailableFalse

Language/Cultral Support AvailableFalse

Wheelchair AccessibleFalse

Fee RequiredFalse

Fee Amount: None

This opportunity is recurring