Job Description

As one of the nation’s premier humanitarian organizations, the American Red Cross is dedicated to helping people in need throughout the United States and, in association with other Red Cross networks, throughout the world. We depend on the many generous contributions of time, blood, and money from the American public to support our lifesaving services and programs.

At the Red Cross, there is no such thing as a small disaster. In every single case it is the Red Cross’ mission to help people affected by disaster meet their emergency needs that include shelter, food, clothing, and health and mental health services. As a paid staff member, you will support our loyal Red Cross disaster volunteers who serve selflessly to provide a bridge of assistance until individuals and families can resume a normal life.

Our disaster volunteers are the heart and soul of our mission to respond to emergencies and provide relief to victims of disasters. They serve in a number of capacities, including Disaster Action Team Member, Disaster Assessment, Caseworker, Mass Care Feeding, Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) Driver, Shelter Manager/Staff, Disaster Health Services and Disaster Mental Health.

We are currently seeking a Disaster Program Specialist to work in our Kansas Oklahoma Region. This position can be based out Ardmore, Pauls Valley, Ada or Durant. This position will work 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday, and some weekends and evenings will be required during times of business need. Travel will also be involved up to 25% of the time.

Provide functional support to Disaster Program Manager and Leadership at a regional level or take full cycle responsibility to provide service delivery programs within a defined geography.  Support the Disaster Program Manager and volunteer workforce to support local communities by providing services to include but are not limited to: response to recurrent local disasters (house fires, floods, etc.), capacity building for mass care service delivery, participation in the Home Fire Campaign, and direct assistance and recovery services to those impacted by disasters.  Develop, guide, and support team of trained volunteers, as well as implement and develop initiatives to increase Red Cross visibility through program/service delivery of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery programs.  Provide support, development and/or leadership guidance to all volunteers. 

Perform all duties and responsibilities in compliance with standard operating procedures and other applicable Federal, State and local regulations.

Responsibilities:

1: Facilitate and support the development and implementation of strategies, initiatives, tools, plans, processes and procedures within a functional area, or, through the development of volunteer leadership, oversee the implementation of the full disaster cycle of an assigned sub-territory. Functional areas may include: Mass Care, Client Casework, Health & Mental Health Services, Logistics, Information Management & Situational Awareness, Partnerships & Emergency Management, Workforce Development, Preparedness, General Volunteer Support & Engagement, or Home Fire Campaign.
2: Analyze opportunities for improved program service and make recommendations for implementation. Implement assigned programs or services to meet goals.
3: Support local preparation, response and recovery activities as well as maintain government partnerships with assigned territory. Assist with a broader division and national network of disaster responders and help with deployments and relief operation activity outside immediate region. This may include physical deployment to impacted communities.
4: Engage and develop a volunteer team responsible for the implementation of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery programs in the local area. Ensure the development of leadership volunteers in each of the assigned program support functional areas of the disaster cycle in order to meet the needs of the assigned geography.
5: Support local responses through the deployment of volunteer leaders on a daily basis in a rapid and accessible manner. Qualified and experienced volunteer leaders should be placed in key roles first. If volunteer leadership is unavailable, may service during times of disaster. Participate in local planning, exercises, and training, including exercises called by local partners Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster, Emergency Management Agencies and Local Emergency Planning Committees (VOADs, EMAs and LEPCs). May evaluate and report effectiveness of program or service. Prepare recommendations for continuous improvement.
6: Serve as the Red Cross thought leader as needed with local level with government and other agencies and organizations involved in disaster. Key representative of Red Cross in the community, interfacing with local officials and developing plans with community leaders. Ensure activities are in compliance with regional and national procedures and policies.

Scope: Individual contributor that works under limited supervision. Applies subject matter knowledge; requires capacity to understand specific needs or requirements to apply skills/knowledge.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree required.
Experience: Minimum 3 years of experience with social services or service/program delivery, or equivalent combination of education and related experience required.

Management Experience: n/a

Skills & Abilities: Ability to coordinate staff and volunteer activities. Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. Develop project plans & budgets. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of program or service, ability to create presentations and training modules, and strategies to achieve organizational goals. Demonstrated analytical and decision- making skills to interpret program trends, results, formulate recommendations, and develop creative processes for continuous program or service improvements. Proven track record of collaboration with diverse groups and individuals, managing multiple priorities, facilitation, problem solving, marketing, leadership, and partnership management. Additionally, this position requires ability for planning, public speaking, project management and process improvement. Individual must be customer oriented, organized, and able to operate with an orientation toward solutions with an external focus, and team orientation. Intermediate level proficiency with MS Office software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Familiarity with federal, state, and local employment laws. Must be able to perform all assigned responsibilities under “grey sky” requirements. Ability to work in a matrixed environment and on a team.

Travel: Travel may be required.

* Combination of candidate’s education and general experience satisfies requirements so long as the total years equate to description’s minimum education and general experience years combined (Management experience cannot be substituted).

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The work environment will consist of moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phones and printers, light traffic). The employee must have the ability to work in a small cubicle and have the ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.