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ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conceptualize and develop plans for responding to disasters, guided by the goals and strategies of the United Church of Christ and the priorities of Wider Church Ministries.
- Collaborate with Team Leader and Associate General Minister to address the needs of constituents in times of disaster and provide the expertise necessary to make decisions about the UCC’s disaster response and recovery especially in times of large-scale disasters and pending disasters.
- Coordinate with UCC Conferences in all areas of disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation, including the development and maintenance of individualized conference disaster preparedness and response plans and damage assessments during times of disaster.
- Support the UCC Conference Disaster Coordinators (CDC) network, and their Conference Disaster Teams, through regular meetings, preparation of training materials, training workshops, and by closely monitoring conference needs.
- Develop, nurture, guide, and resource the Emotional and Spiritual Care Team for disaster and disaster-related trauma care, to include spiritual, emotional, and self-care workshops, trauma retreats, and resources.
- Work collaboratively with the Minister for Volunteer Engagement to facilitate volunteer recruitment and placement opportunities at disaster recovery sites in the United States and its territories.
- In collaboration with the CDCs, provide oversight for overall volunteer accountability at disaster recovery sites in the United States, while allowing the day-to-day supervision to be the responsibility of the disaster recovery site supervisor. Provide regular contact and reports on current and emerging issues.
- Interpret Disaster Ministries to UCC constituencies and ecumenical partners by writing articles and stories, using electronic platforms (e.g., social media), speaking engagements, preaching and working closely with WCM’s Communications Specialist and UCC news staff to accentuate the impact of our support.
- Serve as UCC liaison with relevant disaster agencies such as the National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD), the Church World Service disaster response working group, Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA), and the State and Territory Offices of Emergency Management (OEM).
- Seek out and nurture relationships with ecumenical and civic disaster response and recovery partners, including ways the UCC can work in partnership to leverage efforts and funds.
- Develop and monitor the UCC Disaster Ministries budget in consultation with the Team Leader.
- Participate and engage with the Grants Review Committee to respond to domestic disaster grant applications and requests from UCC Conferences and local partners, including long-term recovery groups. Consult with Conference Disaster Coordinators (CDC) or Conference Ministers for information related to grant requests.
- Work collaboratively with the Minister for Volunteer Engagement and other team members to support the Partners in Service program and develop emerging programs of shared alignment.
- Monitor and support ongoing initiatives, such as the Emotional and Spiritual Care Team, Willing to Respond, and the Technology and Environment Caused Disaster working group, and develop new initiatives for meeting emerging needs in disaster preparedness and response.
- This position requires travel throughout the United States, and its territories.