Description:
INTRODUCTION
The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago (ARCGC) responds to an average of three to four disasters, primarily residential fires, each and every day in the Chicagoland area. We provide immediate emergency assistance, including food, shelter, clothing and emergency medical replacement to those affected by a disaster. Assistance is provided on a case-to-case basis to meet the needs of clients during the first 48 hours after an incident incident. Emergency needs are determined by a Disaster Action Team (DAT) member’s on-scene damage assessment. The ARCGC provides assistance in the form of recovery kit(s) and/or financial assistance, mental health support to support the immediate emergency needs caused by a disaster.
EXPECTATIONS/JOB DESCRIPTION
Overview
As an AmeriCorps member, you will be responding on a 7 days a week, 24-hour basis to disasters and will be working with approximately 90% of our clients affected by those disasters.
Your primary responsibilities will include:
• Calling DAT responders (volunteers) to respond to disasters around the clock
• Responding to incidents
• Mentoring current and incoming DAT responders
• Entering case information into the Client Assistance System (CAS) system
• Conducting follow-up with clients and closing cases
• Casework Review
• Maintaining a current referral resources list
• Maintaining stock in the facilities and the vehicles
Above all, you are an advocate for our clients, ensuring that they receive the appropriate disaster assistance in a timely and respectful manner.
Schedule:
You will be working from the office each week on a rotating schedule with other AmeriCorps members. Your in-office schedule will be either 8:00am – 4:00pm, or 10:00am – 6:00pm. Every third week you will have the overnight shift as the “call-out†person. You work from home this week. The expectation will be that you take all calls from 8:00pm – 8:00am from our Emergency Communications Center for disaster response. You will first call volunteers on the schedule to respond to the disaster. If you cannot find volunteers, you will be responsible for responding to the event. Your call out week includes day-time and evenings of the weekend.
Office Responsibilities:
The AmeriCorps workers in the office and the two Client Services Coordinators and Client Services Manager will work together in the office during the day. Everyone will work staggered hours to ensure we are able to more efficiently cover incidents that occur during the day. AmeriCorps is responsible for:
• Calling out volunteers to respond and/or responding to daily incidents
• Keeping a personal fire log
• Overseeing office volunteers
• Entering and closing cases into our database system
• Following up with the clients
• Helping out with other tasks in the office
• Answering, checking, and returning the messages on phone ‘6278’
• Investigating and resolving Client Assistance Card issues
• Attending trainings and staff meetings, etc.
• Updating the resources referral and hotel lists
• Filling out time sheets
• Professional development – take training, develop resume, etc
• Special Projects
• Monthly Service Projects
Additional Information
Local Disaster Assignments:
Most of the disasters responded to will be within our seven county chapter jurisdiction. You can expect to respond to about 80-120 local incidents throughout the program year. We respond to incidents 7 days a week, 24-hours a day.
National Disaster Assignments:
If there is a large national disaster, you will have the opportunity to be deployed. This will depend upon how busy our chapter is, the needs on the disaster, and the assignment length. Our chapter has to ensure that disasters in our jurisdiction are covered before sending anyone out on a National Assignment.
Long-term Projects:
There will be times when it is slow in the office. We have some large projects that always need to be worked on.
Special Projects
Each member will do a project of their choice during their placement.
Attire:
When working in the office, you need to wear business casual attire. No print t-shirts, tight or revealing clothing, flip-flops, excessive jewelry, dirty clothing, etc. The Chapter recognizes “casual Fridays†during which you may wear jeans and sneakers. At anytime, you may wear any official ARC apparel or AmeriCorps apparel. Remember, you are a representative of the ARC. You are the face of the organization and must look presentable and professional. You may keep jeans and boots at the office for daytime response and change your clothes for the response.
You should wear boots when on scene because you may have to step over broken wood, loose nails, and other dangerous items when you are on scene. ARC vests and jackets will be provided. They will be checked out to you at the beginning of the program and must be returned.
Classes/Training:
During the first month of your placement you will attend a week-long training in Washington, DC. You will meet with other AmeriCorps workers from throughout the nation and attend workshops on becoming more familiar with the program.
Basic disaster training will be provided at the chapter. All training is mandatory will be held at the office you are working from. Some classes may be held in the evening or on the weekend. Additionally, intermediate training will be offered for those who are interested in additional career development.
Stipend: $13,000 for one year assignment, plus an option for an educational award.
