Service Position Summary
California Emergency Response Corp’s mission is to help Californians become better prepared for disasters and to be on call for deployment in response to disasters throughout the state. When not on deployment, CERC members work with regional partners and focus on priorities such as helping local communities respond to, prepare, and recover from disasters.
Long Term Recovery Group of Santa Cruz County (SCCLTRG), is a social impact nonprofit organization focused on disaster preparedness, resilience, and recovery. Our core programming includes disaster case management and a volunteer rebuild program.
Service Position Summary
California Emergency Response Corp’s mission is to help Californians become better prepared for disasters and to be on call for deployment in response to disasters throughout the state. When not on deployment, CERC members work with regional partners and focus on priorities such as helping local communities respond to, prepare, and recover from disasters.
Long Term Recovery Group of Santa Cruz County (SCCLTRG), is a social impact nonprofit organization focused on disaster preparedness, resilience, and recovery. Our core programming includes disaster case management and a volunteer rebuild program.
Two Community Resource Navigators (CRN) will be part of SCCLTRG's Disaster Case Management program team, supporting SCCLTRG's clients with a host of tasks necessary for reaching their individualized disaster recovery goals. This includes support in applying for grants, and help moving through the rebuild/repair process. The CRN helps to identify and remove barriers to clients’ recovery.
This is an excellent fit for someone who possesses deep empathy and patience, thrives in direct client advocacy, and enjoys helping individuals navigate complex administrative systems to achieve tangible recovery milestones.
One CRN will support the Volunteer Rebuild Program team with volunteer coordination, supply management, and logistics demands. This role works closely with our Construction and Volunteer Program Specialist to help ensure materials and volunteers are available where and when needed. This position offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with external partners such as local volunteer centers and national VOAD partners like Good360 and ALAN.
This is an excellent fit for someone who loves hands-on coordination and logistics, excels at building partner relationships, and wants to serve as the operational bridge connecting volunteers and supplies directly to rebuild sites.
One CRN will support our new Resilient Santa Cruz Zone-0 Wildfire Mitigation program. This new, Measure Q-funded program provides vulnerable, low-income households—specifically those with access and functional needs in high wildfire hazard areas—with immediate home-surrounding fuel reduction. The CRN will work closely with program staff to support client intake and eligibility vetting, paired with fieldwork in wildfire safety and disaster preparedness education.
This is an excellent fit for someone who enjoys a dynamic mix of administrative intake and active fieldwork, is passionate about climate resilience, and connects authentically with vulnerable community members through outreach and education.
Essential Functions of Position
Client Support & Recovery Navigation (Disaster Case Management)
- Identify and support prospective clients, working with them to complete an application for assistance in person, via phone, or through video platforms such as Google Meets.
- As assigned, assist clients with their application or appeal to federal, state, and local disaster assistance programs such as FEMA, SBA, or RecoverCA.
- Prepare and present prospective client cases to site leadership and funding tables for rebuild and repair approval.
- Assist clients in navigating and applying for external funding to support specific, individualized recovery needs.
- Manage an active caseload of 20–25 clients, acting as a reliable point of contact from initial application through the rebuild/repair process.
Volunteer Coordination & Supply Logistics
- Coordinate volunteer recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, and orientation for rebuild teams.
- Track and manage supply, material, and logistics demands to ensure building tools and materials are available where and when needed. (Volunteer & Logistics)
- Liaise and collaborate with external partners, including local volunteer centers and national VOAD organizations such as Good360 and ALAN. (Volunteer & Logistics)
Wildfire Mitigation & Field Preparedness
- Recruit and conduct client intake, community outreach, and eligibility vetting for low-income households and individuals with access and functional needs living in high wildfire hazard areas.
- Coordinate volunteer recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, and orientation for fuel reduction workdays.
- Coordinate volunteer teams on-site during Zone-0 home fuel reduction workdays.
- Perform fieldwork to deliver direct wildfire safety guidance, Zone-0 home fuel reduction support, and disaster preparedness education.
General & Administrative Responsibilities. (All Positions)
- Refer clients who are in need of housing, food, or other wrap-around support services to appropriate community service providers.
- Input client and program data, upload necessary documents and data into tracking systems, and maintain documentation up to date.
- Meet weekly with the site supervisor to discuss goals, cases, professional development, and remain open to feedback and coaching.
- Adhere to SCCLTRG’s Safety Protocols and participate actively in all offered safety and program training.
Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications
- Be at least 18 years of age or older.
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including active listening.
- Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor in challenging situations, including client crises.
- Ability to clearly communicate needs and expectations to people of various backgrounds.
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills.
Core Competencies and Academic/Professional Experience
- Flexibility/Resilience – Able to adjust to and thrive in a dynamic environment; handles setbacks and failures with professionalism and candor; effectively and appropriately responds in the face of adversity or conflict.
- Ability to Work Independently – Is a self-starter and accomplishes tasks independently and without constant, direct supervision.
- Ability to Manage Multiple Tasks – Prioritizes multiple projects and assignments; raises barriers and problems and works cooperatively with a supervisor to resolve these.
- Results-Oriented Thinking and Behavior – Focuses on making an impact. Possesses the desire to achieve excellence and does not settle for mediocrity.
- Awareness and Sensitivity to the External Environment – Has situational awareness and is aware of the organizations that they represent, including CERC, the agency and brand, SCCLTRG, and the effect of their words and actions on that position; demonstrates savvy in dealing with agencies, volunteers, and donors; is promoting and affirming in conversations about and on behalf of those organizations.
Physical Activities and Service Conditions
- Manual Dexterity: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise serving, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
- Communicating: Expressing or exchanging ideas. Activities must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
- Listening: Ability to receive detailed information through appropriate communication.
- Visual Acuity: Member is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or expansive reading.
- Service Conditions: Member is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions.
Commitment and Training
- Commitment: Part-Time members will serve 1700 hours over the course of 11 months. Members are required to serve 40 hours a week. A typical service week is Monday – Friday; however, volunteer and outreach events may occur on weekends and will require attendance. Members will have ample opportunity to complete 1700 hours of service.
- Member Evaluation: Members will complete necessary weekly and/or monthly data reports and bi-weekly timesheets and will receive evaluations.
- Training: Members will receive service and site-specific training to prepare them for their service. Members will also be required to attend orientation.
CERC Program Benefits
This position is eligible for a living allowance, a post-service education award, and health benefits. The total stipend for this 11 month service position is 30,000. The education award for this position upon completion of the 11-month term is $10,000.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $2,727.00 per month
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
Ability to Commute:
- Ben Lomond, CA 95005 (Required)
Work Location: In person
