We look for highly energized and passionate individuals who are prepared to work full-time to serve the mission of the American Red Cross. The day-to-day work duties would depend on the role and which Red Cross Region you work within. Across all regions however AmeriCorps members focus on engaging communities through preparedness presentations, responding to local and national emergencies, and supporting clients in disaster recovery. AmeriCorps members also help build the Red Cross’s capacity by supporting our Youth Volunteer groups, services to the Armed Forces, recruiting and training new volunteers, and leading specialized volunteer teams across all lines of service.
This is a very rewarding program but also very tough, work includes attending meetings at night, events on weekends and you can be called out on a disaster at any given moment.
Service Activities
As an American Red Cross AmeriCorps member, you might:
- Lead Youth Volunteers through service activities and leadership development programs
- Support individuals affected by disaster through local and national deployments
- Recruit volunteers at community outreach events
- Train low-income communities in life saving preparedness skills
- Provide vital resources to families recovering from disaster
- Coordinate large scale volunteer events, like Home Fire Preparedness Campaigns
- Connect military and refugee families in times of crisis
Community Need Addressed
We are looking for highly energized and service-minded individuals to help us further the mission of the American Red Cross as AmeriCorps members! AmeriCorps members work with the American Red Cross to provide vital emergency assistance to individuals affected by disaster and preparedness vulnerable communities before disasters strike.
Red Cross AmeriCorps members are creative, passionate, and dedicated individuals that serve in a full-time capacity for 10.5 months at American Red Cross chapters across California. We currently have over 80 members serving at sites from San Diego to Sacramento! If you are looking for a way to help others, get professional experience, and serve your community, then come join our AmeriCorps team!
Position Outcomes
California Safe Corps – CSC is the oldest of the Red Cross AmeriCorps programs, with over 25 years of service in regions throughout the state. This program focuses on preparing communities for disasters by providing free disaster preparedness education to individuals of all ages, delivering low-cost CPR and First Aid certification training to vulnerable communities, responding to local and national disasters, and recruiting and engaging volunteers.
California AmeriCorps Disaster Team – CADT is a state-wide AmeriCorps program which also focuses on the areas of disaster preparedness, disaster response and volunteer management. Members in this program though have the unique opportunity to work on all sides of the recovery process by supporting both Red Cross and government run (FEMA, Cal OES, etc.) response and recovery efforts.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Disaster Response training
Professional Development opportunities
Leadership opportunities
Education Benefits
CPR, First Aid, Disaster Services Certificates, FEMA Training, Professional Development Coursework
Skills you will gain
public speaking, project planning, teamwork, leading volunteers, crisis management, casework, emergency management
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment