Overview

Are you a natural leader who is passionate about helping vulnerable communities better prepare for natural disasters and addressing food insecurities? Do you thrive in opportunities where you are building relationships, hosting workshops and working in a collaborative environment? If your answers are “yes!,” we’re looking for you!

The Program

California Volunteers, which manages California AmeriCorps programs, identified an urgent need to develop an infrastructure, working with regional partners throughout California, that can deliver emergency support to our communities which is how California Emergency Response Corps was founded.

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 Volunteers campaign to boost emergency preparedness in communities experiencing social isolation, poverty, language barriers, and food insecurities.

Program Dates

The 2025-26 program year begins on October 1, 2025. Members will be expected to serve an 11-month service term completing 1700 hours from October 1, 2025-August 31, 2026.

Member Responsibilities & Essential Functions:

All Member activities will aim to support CERC’s core goals: to help Californians become better prepared for disaster, deploy to assist in disaster response, and serve communities local to Members’ host sites.

AmeriCorps Member Responsibilities

  • Serve 40 hours per week through contract duration
  • Participate in evaluations including mandatory mid-year and end of year evaluations.
  • Complete mandatory training in-person or virtually as directed.
    • Training will not exceed 20% of hours in the service term
  • Must be available to deploy (for up to 2 weeks each time), to state-wide emergency operations as determined by California Volunteers.
  • Provide day-to-day support to nonprofit partner site (s), their mission, and internal programs.
  • Attend recurring performance check-ins with CERC staff.
  • 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, alleviating food insecurity at a local food bank or distribution site, providing needed resources to underserved communities.
  • 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).

Community Outreach:

  • Recruit community volunteers
  • Strengthening partnerships with local community-based organizations and internal programs.
  • Attend events and training on behalf of partner-site and AmeriCorps programs.
  • Conduct surveys and other measurable activities.

Community Education:

Members will lead presentations and outreach efforts through canvassing, and partnerships with local nonprofits for the purpose of measurable community behavioral changes in preparedness.

Disaster Response:

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 and last up to two weeks. After each disaster deployment, members and staff will debrief in order to articulate lessons learned and improve policies and procedures for future disaster responses.

Qualifications:

  • Must be 18+ years of age and high school graduates or GED recipients (or minimum of 17 and working toward a high school diploma or GED); members must agree to obtain either a diploma or GED before using an education award; meeting full list of member eligibility requirements in 45 CFR §2522.200(a)
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident
  • Must participate in a national criminal history background check pursuant to 45 CFR §2540.200-206
  • Organized, responsible, motivated, professional
  • Demonstrates initiative, follow-through, and reliability
  • Strong communication, collaboration, and public speaking skills
  • Interest in disaster response or emergency management a plus
  • Alumni of California Emergency Response Corps is preferred, but not required

Desired Knowledge, Skills & Experience

  • Experience working with community programs, non-profits, churches, community organizations preferred
  • Ability to provide a consistent, professional, positive adult relationship with the public and host nonprofit site(s)
  • Confident oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to serve independently and make decisions
  • Willingness and ability to take initiative
  • Experience working in group and team settings
  • Ability to resolve differences professionally.
  • High-level organizational skills
  • Management of assigned technology/equipment/uniforms
  • Possession of a personal automobile, a current California driver’s license, and valid automobile insurance.
  • Ability to speak Spanish or other non-English language strongly preferred

Personal Qualities

  • Commitment to the mission and values of the partner agency and National Service
  • Strong leadership skills, flexibility and adaptation
  • Growth mindset with a can do attitude!
  • Ability to inspire others
  • Ability to maintain motivation to achieve goals while dealing with challenges
  • Committed to community building and service

Member Benefits

  • Up to $30,000 living allowance for term of service, paid semi-monthly
  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award in the amount of $7395 upon successful completion of minimum hours for enrolled term of service.
  • California For All Education Award in the amount of $2606.00 to supplement the Segal Education Award for a combined total of $10,000. (FT/1700 hr members only)
  • Healthcare coverage for member (FT/1700 hr members only)
  • Childcare assistance if eligible (FT/1700 hr members only)
  • Student Loan Deferment & Interest Forbearance if eligible.
  • Member Development to include training, networking, and professional development opportunities that can be utilized and will be valued by future employers after the service term is completed. Includes CPR/First Aid Certification; Resume workshops; mass care and animal handling training.
  • Due to the nature of sudden and unpredictable emergency responses, we discourage school enrollment while serving as an AmeriCorps members.

All Members must maintain the expected hours of service of 40 hours per week for the duration of their contract. Service hours are typically, Monday through Friday, 9am-6pm and weekends when needed.

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