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. In the event of a large scale emergency whereby people are displaced from their homes, the Mass Care and Material Support teams provide shelter, feeding and bulk items to alleviate the needs of the affected population, while also supporting First Responders such as Police, Fire and Emergency Management with Canteen services. Americorps member must have access to transportation and a clean driving record.
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 primarily with our government, community and faith based partners to provide assistance to our clients affected by disasters. You will also assist in developing a stronger leadership corps of volunteers.
Your primary responsibilities will include:
• Calling Mass Care and Material Support volunteers to respond to disasters
• Responding to incidents
• Mentoring current and incoming volunteers
• Maintaining inventory of current stock on Disaster Vehicles and filling requests for stock from Client Services team
• Updating and maintaining National Shelter System
• Working within the 7 county jurisdiction to initiate and maintain relationships with Mass Sheltering and Feeding partners
• Maintain fleet of Mass Care response vehicles and trailers
Above all, you are an advocate for our Chapter, ensuring that we have the necessary relationships to provide for the needs of a diverse population in a timely and respectful manner.
Schedule:
You will be working from the office each week. Your schedule will be 10am to 6pm, Monday through Friday. In the event of a disaster notification you will work with the volunteers who will perform a call down of volunteers to respond. Once that is done you will respond with the volunteers. We try to dispatch a two person team but sometimes that isn’t possible due to volunteers being unavailable. Nevertheless, we have a strong cross functional team of paid and volunteer staff who are available to assist if needed.
Keep in mind that while your hours are primarily during standard business hours, you will be expected to fill the gaps in coverage as either the call out person or responder. This might mean later evening or overnight coverage. We are flexible with your office schedule when you have overnight coverage/responses.
Office Responsibilities:
The AmeriCorps worker will be supervised by the Mass Care/Material Support Specialist (MC/MSS). You will work together in the office and coordinate responses. AmeriCorps is responsible for:
• Working with Volunteers
o Assisting in the mentoring and monthly scheduling of volunteers for response
o Calling out volunteers to respond and/or responding to daily incidents
o Interviewing and providing MC/MSS Overview to new volunteers
o Overseeing office volunteers
• Working with Partners
o Developing new relationships with community partners
o Following up with requests from community partners
o Updating the National Shelter System database
o Answering, checking, and returning the messages on the phone
• Material Support:
o Work within the Warehouse maintaining the inventory and filling requests for supplies
o Replenish the fleet
o Taking vehicles in for routine maintenance
o Purchasing supplies from local vendors such as General Foods, Costco and Sam’s Club.
• Additional areas:
o Attending trainings and staff meetings, etc.
o Filling out time sheets
o Professional development – take training, develop resume, etc
o Special Projects
o Monthly Service Projects
Local Disaster Assignments:
Most of the disasters responded to will be within our seven county chapter jurisdiction. You can expect to respond to about 40-80 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 do allow members to respond with our Disaster Action Team members who provide direct financial and follow up referral assistance to disaster affected clients.
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.
