Program Summary
California Emergency Response Corps; CERC; is a statewide preparedness/ response program whose goal is to help Californians become better prepared and to deploy to disasters such as wildfires, floods, earthquakes and food banks. Bay Area Community Resources is the legal applicant agency for the program. This program is part of a larger statewide California Volunteer campaign to boost emergency preparedness in communities experiencing social isolation, poverty, language barriers, and food insecurities. California Volunteers, which manages California AmeriCorps programs, identified several counties that are especially vulnerable to the effects of disasters. There is an urgent need for the development of an infrastructure in vulnerable communities throughout California that can deliver emergency support to our vulnerable communities.
Position Summary:
7 positions are available based in the City of Los Angeles. Fellows will be serving with CORE—Community Organized Relief Effort. Fellows will report directly to the Climate Resilience & Disaster Preparedness Program Manager and will work alongside them and the Climate Resilience and Disaster Preparedness Area Manger on building capacity within our Climate Resilience division by supporting disaster mitigation implementation, volunteer coordination, and climate adaptation initiatives.
THIS IS A LIMITED TERM POSITION OF 1700 HOURS over ~11 Months
AmeriCorps Member Responsibilities:
- Serve ~35 hours per week.
- Must be available to deploy to state-wide emergency operations up to 4 times per term and; 2 weeks each as determined by AmeriCorps.
- As needed, Members will deploy to disasters and provide appropriate assistance to the organization(s) directly managing the disaster response. Deployments will happen on very short notice for up to two weeks.
- Provide day to day support to nonprofit partner-site (CORE) in addressing the effects of climate change through disaster preparedness, urban greening and education workshops.
- Attend recurring performance check-ins with CERC Management.
- Complete mandatory training in-person or virtually as directed.
- Weekly communication, documentation and timekeeping of hours and activities.
- Deliver service in the community through Disaster Preparedness Education, Urban Greening, and alleviating food insecurity through urban greening projects and food waste reduction
- Willingness to become a local emergency responder in partnership with the American Red Cross.
- Ability to serve all required State/National Service Days (MLK Day, Caesar Chavez, 9/11 Remembrance).
Responsibilities:
- Strengthening partnerships with local community-based organizations and internal programs.
- Attend events and training on behalf of partner-site and AmeriCorps programs.
- Listen to a community needs and assist in developing programs to uplift them
- Lead presentations and outreach efforts through canvassing, and partnerships with local non-profits for the purpose of measurable community behavioral changes in preparedness.
- Presenting and preparing disaster preparedness & Climate education workshops
- Implement disaster mitigation projects such as; Defensible space construction, home hardening, constructing gardens to redirect/absorb water and others
- Constructing and maintaining green spaces to mitigate extreme heat emergencies & address food insecurity
- Planting to prevent erosion issues and mitigate future flash flooding disasters
- Lead and coordinate volunteers in executing community led projects
Qualifications:
- Age 18 years or older
- U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Live locally to Los Angeles or be willing to relocate
- Bilingual (Spanish) Preferred
- One year professional or volunteer experience (in related fields), or bachelor's degree
- Ability to potentially serve evenings and weekends when needed
- Ability to deploy on short notice anywhere in California for disaster response four times yearly for up to two weeks each
- Basic knowledge of Microsoft Suite, Zoom, G Suite and willingness to learn
- Due to recurring access or episodic access to vulnerable populations, service in this role is contingent on the following checks: DOJ, FBI and National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW), and COVID-19 testing or proof of COVID vaccination prior to service. Candidates must also possess a personal automobile, a current California driver’s license and maintain valid automobile insurance. Availability to meet ongoing requirements.
Member Benefits:
- Healthcare
- AmeriCorps Segal Education Award of up to $10,000 for Full Time 1700-hour members, managed through The AmeriCorps National Trust Fund
- Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
- Great life experience and personal growth
- Childcare coverage (for qualifying members)
- Student loan forbearance (for qualifying loans)
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Semi-Monthly member stipend; $2727 monthly stipend
Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records checks, sex offender registries, employment, education verifications and child abuse registry check (if required by state regulations) are required post job offer and prior to employment.
Safeguarding
CORE is committed to keeping children and vulnerable individuals safe and has a Zero Tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse. Every CORE employee, consultant and volunteer is bound by CORE’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy. By applying for this position, an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s safeguarding, sexual misconduct, (child) sexual exploitation and abuse, or human trafficking policy.
