Disaster Recovery Specialist

Community Disaster Program Specialist Veterans, Transitioning Military, National Guard and Reserve Members, Military Spouses, Wounded Warriors, and their Caregivers are encouraged to apply. This on-site role focuses on guiding, leading, and supporting teams of trained volunteers to deliver comfort and care during disasters, creating and maintaining continuous volunteer engagement, and ensuring community readiness. Employees are required to deploy to disaster relief operations outside their region at least once a year. Deployments support skill building, career development, and exposure to different types of disasters. Allowances may be provided for personal circumstances and local response activity. Employees must meet all training and physical capacity requirements for deployment. This role is not eligible for relocation assistance. Key Responsibilities Empower Volunteers: Facilitate and support a diverse volunteer team responsible for the implementation of volunteer‑led disaster cycle services programming, ensuring rapid, accessible, and equitable delivery that meets urgent disaster‑caused needs. Support the Program: Assist with successful implementation of specific disaster cycle services program activities or functions within an assigned geographic area. Mission Capacity Building: Engage disaster volunteers who are the primary workforce and representative of the communities they serve, both culturally and linguistically. Engage Community: Support local efforts to prepare and mobilize communities and engage partners to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and emergencies. Manage in a Matrix: Implement plans to meet assigned targets for volunteer engagement and volunteer‑led Disaster Action Team response to local home fires or support specific function tasks within the assigned area. Know Your Communities: Act as the local point of contact for partners and communities; partner with local organizations and leaders supporting frontline communities and community resiliency before, during, and after disasters. Ready to Respond: Participate in disaster response operations in the region in alignment with the Disaster Cycle Services Concept of Operations, upon completion of training requirements. Pay Information Salary range for this position is $54,000.00 – $55,175.00. American Red Cross salaries are aligned to the geographic location in which the work is primarily performed. Other factors that may be used to determine actual salary include specific skills, years of experience, and comparison to other employees in this role. Minimum Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent combination of education and related experience. Experience: Minimum 3 years of related experience. A current valid driver’s license and good driving record. Skills and Abilities: Ability to coordinate staff and volunteer activities. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Proven record of collaboration with diverse groups and individuals representing all demographics of the community, managing multiple priorities, facilitation, problem solving, marketing, leadership, and partnership management. Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Ability to work outside of regular duty hours, including nights and weekends. Residency Requirements: Chapter‑based positions: Expected to work daily in the assigned geographic area. Regional positions: Expected to work daily within the region’s geographic area. Physical Requirements: Regular duties include sitting, using hands, talking or hearing, reaching with hands and arms, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crouched; need to lift up to 15 pounds frequently and up to 30 pounds occasionally; vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, focus adjustment; work environment moderate noise (business office, computers, phones, printers). Preferred Qualifications Demonstrated ability to inspire and coordinate volunteers, fostering a sense of purpose and community impact. Proven experience building strong relationships with diverse community groups to drive participation and support. Strong written and verbal communication skills that enhance collaboration, clarity, and influence. Microsoft Office proficiency (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Location: Chicago, Illinois #J-18808-Ljbffr