Disaster Program Specialist

  • American Red Cross
  • Birmingham, Alabama
  • Feb 14, 2024

Job Description

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By joining the American Red Cross  you will touch millions of lives every year and experience the greatness of the human spirit at its best.  Are you ready to be part of  the world's largest humanitarian network?

Join us—Where your Career is a Force for Good!

Job Description:

Why Choose Us? 

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. When you join our team, you have a direct impact on a meaningful mission, and you can help save lives every day. If you share our passion for helping people, join us in this excellent career opportunity. Work where your career is a force for good.

We are committed to the diversity of our workforce and to delivering our programs and services in a culturally competent manner reflecting the communities we serve. Our work environment is collaborative, respectful, and inclusive with a focus on building allyship and a culture of belonging that empowers all team members. Come to learn, grow, and succeed while sharing your passion for making a difference. 

The Red Cross supports a variety of cultural and community resource groups for employees and volunteers. From the Ability Network, our Asian American & Pacific Islander Resource Group, the Latino Resource Group, and Red Cross PRIDE, to the Umoja African American Resource Group, our Veterans+ Resource Group, and the Women’s Resource Group, these networks provide connections, mentoring and help give voice to important concerns and opinions. 

At the American Red Cross, your uniqueness can shine! 

We are seeking a Disaster Program Specialist to support our Alabama Mississippi Region. Supporting our Birmingham office.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (Job Overview):

The Disaster Program Specialist (DPS) will 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. The DPS will 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

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

WHERE YOUR CAREER IS A FORCE GOOD (Key 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.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED (Minimum 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. 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.

BENEFITS FOR YOU:
We take care of you, while you take care of others. As a mission-based organization, we believe our team needs great support to do great work. Our comprehensive benefits help you in balancing home and work. With our resources and perks, you have amazing possibilities at the American Red Cross to advance the learn.

•            Medical, Dental Vision plans

•            Health Spending Accounts & Flexible Spending Accounts

•            PTO + Holidays

•            401K with 5% match

•            Paid Family Leave

•            Employee Assistance

•            Disability and Insurance: Short + Long Term

•            Service Awards and recognition

Apply now! Joining our team will provide you with the opportunity to make a difference every day.

The American Red Cross is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Interested in Volunteering?

Life’s emergencies don’t stop, and neither do American Red Cross volunteers, who represent more than 90 percent of our workforce to help prevent and alleviate human suffering. You can make a difference by volunteering in a position that appeals to you and allows you to use your unique skills and talents. The Red Cross relies on generous volunteers who give their time and talent to help fulfill our lifesaving mission.

Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to learn more, including our most-needed volunteer positions.

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