Community Disaster Program Specialist

Community Disaster Program Specialist – South Florida Region, Sarasota, FL

Job Description: As a Community Disaster Program Specialist, you will guide, lead and support teams of trained volunteers to deliver comfort and care in times of disaster. You will also create and maintain a foundation of continuous and robust volunteer engagement using established processes and collaborating with volunteer services staff. You will work with volunteers to ensure that the communities you serve are ready to respond to disasters.

Regional disaster employees are required to deploy to disaster relief operations outside of their region at a minimum of once a year. Employees must meet all training and physical capacity requirements for deployment.

• Empower Volunteers:
  Facilitate and support a diverse volunteer team responsible for the implementation of volunteer‑led disaster cycle services programming and ensure rapid, accessible, and equitable delivery.
• Support the Program:
  Assist with the implementation of specific disaster cycle services program activities or functions within an assigned geographic area.
• Mission Capacity Building:
  Engage disaster volunteers who represent the communities they serve.
• Engage Community:
  Support local efforts to prepare and mobilize communities and partners before, during and after disasters.
• Manage in a Matrix:
  Implement plans to meet targets for volunteer engagement and volunteer‑led Disaster Action Team response.
• Know Your Communities:
  Act as local point of contact for partners and community leaders supporting frontline communities.
• Ready to Respond:
  Participate in disaster response operations in the region after completing training requirements.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience:
  
  Minimum 3 years of related experience.
• Driver’s License:
  Current, valid license with good driving record.

• Coordinate staff and volunteer activities.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Record of collaboration with diverse groups and individuals representing all demographics.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Availability to work outside regular hours, including nights and weekends.

• Residency:
  Chapter‑based position; expected to work daily in assigned geographic area.
• Physical:
  Regular sitting at a computer, using hands and arms, standing/walking for periods, lifting up to 15 pounds regularly and up to 30 pounds occasionally. Moderate noise environment. Requires ability to sit in a small cubicle for extended periods.

• Experience coordinating and engaging volunteers.
• Bilingual preferred.

• Medical, Dental, Vision plans
• Health Spending Accounts & Flexible Spending Accounts
• PTO:
  Starting at 19 days a year; based on FLSA status and tenure
• Holidays: 11 paid holidays (six core holidays and five floating holidays)
• 401(k) with 6% match
• Paid Family Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability and Insurance
• Service Awards and recognition

Equal Opportunity

Employer:

The American Red Cross is an equal opportunity 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.

Fair Chance: Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, San Diego Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act, and any other applicable state and local laws.