Disaster Response Leader - AmeriCorps Member

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Recruiting Organization: Hands On Nashville

Summary Statement

Do you enjoy problem solving, building relationships, and taking action? Join the Hands On Nashville team as a Disaster Response Leader to help Nashvillians prepare and respond to widespread emergencies.

Term Commitment

Full Time, August 15,2022 - July 28, 2023

Position Description

Are you a resilient leader who is energized by preparing individuals, organizations, and communities to withstand disasters? The ideal Disaster Response Leader is interested in both theory and practice, melding research with boots-on-the-ground response and recovery efforts. This role requires a strong problem solver who is always looking to learn. Ability to research and distill complex information is a plus.

This AmeriCorps member will lead the development and implementation of Hands On Nashville’s Disaster Volunteer Leader (DVL) Program. DVLs increase HON’s capacity to respond to disaster so more survivors are served. The member will also will recruit, cultivate relationships with, and identify opportunities to collaborate with or train other organizations and individuals. This member will create a training and disaster exercise program for HON’s emergency response plan to ensure all staff and DVLs understand their roles and responsibilities during disaster, and to identify areas for improvement. The AmeriCorps member will also support the creation of HON’s business continuity plan through research and assessment in order to eliminate or minimize impacts to our services in the event of a disruption.

The AmeriCorps Member will leave their service term with new relationships with community stakeholders, an understanding of disaster management best practices, and skills in volunteer leadership, program development, continuity planning, and training and exercise facilitation.

Nashville is powered by people of all ages, races, ethnicities, skin tones, sexes, genders, sexualities, religions, abilities, and socioeconomic statuses engaging in service together. This is a city where YOU matter and YOU make a difference. Join us as we tackle the community’s most pressing challenges through service by becoming a Hands On Nashville AmeriCorps Program member.

The HON AmeriCorps Program is made possible through generous support from Volunteer Tennessee, The Dan and Margaret Maddox Fund, and AmeriCorps, the federal agency connecting individuals and organizations through service and volunteering to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges. 

Responsibilities

• Partners with Disaster Program Manager to develop, maintain, and evolve a comprehensive organizational disaster preparedness plan, including staff training and exercises
• Researches and makes recommendations based on disaster preparedness best practices
• Identifies and recommends resources that support effective management of volunteers during disaster response
• Develops training materials and conducts training of volunteers and volunteer leaders as needed
• Recruits volunteers for the Disaster Volunteer Leader program and fosters a team environment to promote disaster readiness and a mindset of mutual community aid
• Provides on-site expertise and leadership for HON-led disaster response projects AND community-led projects as needed

Typical Day In This Position

In non-disaster times, a typical day may include research, writing, program development, attending community meetings, or delivering training.

During disaster response, a typical day may involve volunteer mobilization and training, leading volunteer disaster projects, providing logistical support to our operations team, coordinating response efforts with community organizations.

Service Schedule

Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., not to exceed 37.5 hours a week. Occasional nights and weekends. During disaster: Exact days/times will vary and be outside of normal working hours.

Competencies

Members should have experience with or the willingness to develop competencies in these areas:

(1) Research and planning

(2) Collaboration and relationship building

(3) Leading volunteers and managing large projects

(4) Responding to disasters

Key abilities include:

(1) Working calmly and effectively in challenging, unpredictable conditions

(2) Good attendance, punctuality, enthusiasm for your work, and readiness to learn new skills

(3) Good judgment and professional behavior

Other Skills

Educational background in disaster management preferred but not required.

Prerequisites

Bachelor's Degree

Can professional experience be substituted for formal education: Yes

Physical Requirements

Lift and carry up to 30-50lbs; Responsibilities in the position may entail sitting for extended periods of time; Responsibilities in this position may entail standing for extended periods of time; Responsibilities in the position may entail serving in the outdoors and potentially in inclement weather; Responsibilities in the position may entail operating machinery and/or power tools; Service responsibilities may include ascending or descending ladders; Disaster environment may include standing water, fallen trees, twisted metal, debris that blocks sidewalks, and other hazards. Office or service environment may include noisy environments; Service responsibilities require moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another; Service responsibilities require member to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; Service responsibilities require the member to drive a cargo van, truck, and/or trailer; Service responsibilities require the member to communicate verbally via the telephone and/or computer.

Required Driver’s License: Yes

Stipend ProvidedFalse

Training ProvidedFalse

Housing AvailableFalse

Language/Cultral Support AvailableFalse

Wheelchair AccessibleFalse

Fee RequiredFalse

Fee Amount: None

This opportunity is recurring