Canadian Red Cross

Join the world’s largest humanitarian network. The Canadian Red Cross, a not for profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to helping the most vulnerable in Canada and throughout the world, is currently seeking an Emergency Response Team (ERT) Supervisor Volunteer for the Emergency Management program.

What will you do

Working collaboratively as part of an experienced team of trained responders, supervisors and site manager, you will:

• Play a key role in supervising a team of responders, proving direction and coordination;
• Organize, set up and manage a service during a response while supervising the work of the responders placed under your responsibility in one or several services on the site. These may include shelter, food, clothing, registration of evacuees;
• Conduct information sessions to gather information about what worked well and what can be improved during a response;
• Ensure timely formal and informal ongoing feedback to responders during a response;
• Participate in the recruitment of responders as well as their orientation, scheduling and training;
• Ensure services address assessed immediate, short and long-term client needs;
• Oversee health, safety and security of the team you work with;
• Assess human resource and material needs for your service area, ensuring they are met with the support of the site manager.
• Participate in communication and representation activities.

What you bring and can further develop with the organization

• Customer Service Skills – provide comfort and care, patience in dealing with upset clients, active listening to understanding needs, finding a solution and good communication so clients understand the services available and how to obtain them;
• Commitment to the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Movement and model the core competencies of the Canadian Red Cross: team excellence, service excellence, accountability and results focused;
• Language – supervisors can deliver services as appropriate in English or French;
• Communication skills – understanding of verbal and non-verbal cues, active listening, clearly able to explain and confirm understanding from client;
• Leadership skills - give clear instructions and delegate, make informed decisions, able to problem solve, provide coaching and feedback to responders, support team environment;
• Operational accuracy - manage inventory of adequate and emergency stocks for your service area before, during and after the close of operation. Communicate, report on progress and evaluate the provision of the services to the Site Manager;
• Attention to detail - accuracy in maintaining logs, in completing forms, giving information statistics and financial documentation for use of service, as required;
• Data entry - able to enter data into a computerised database through a structured form. Able to use an email account to read, print and reply to emails (including opening attachments);
• Teamwork - share information, be helpful, respectful, approachable, build strong relationships;
• Dependability - Timely, takes initiative and ownership of work;
• Remains calm during a crisis - Don’t allow emotions to get in the way, don’t take things personally, stay positive, respond decisively.

 
You will stand out if you

• Completed a College Diploma and/or a minimum of 1-3 years experience supervising a team, in an emergency context is an asset but not required.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Red Cross in disaster response, relief and recovery is an asset.

 
What we offer
As an Emergency Management volunteer, you’ll help people to be better prepared, better connected to each other and more resilient when emergencies happen. The Red Cross will ensure you have training, ongoing support and access to other opportunities within the World’s largest humanitarian network.

Working conditions

• The majority of preparedness work is performed in community or in an office environment which is clean and comfortable.
• The majority of the response work is performed in an environment which is moderately clean and comfortable.
• Potential for responding in disaster areas with vulnerable populations, as well as difficult and unstable conditions (environmental, physical, social, etc.) and uncomfortable conditions (noise, odours, smoke, humidity). Information about these conditions are provided at the time of the request to deploy.
• If working in a response site, health and safety considerations will be outlined prior to the assignment.
• Able to work non-traditional hours (daytime, evenings and weekends), be on-call and respond to emergency/disaster related requests periodically.

• Ability to respond in your local community and outside of your community periodically. ERT Supervisors may be asked to deploy to a large-scale response in Canada, as required and available, for 3 days or more.

• Completion of online courses as well as in-person training is required as part of orientation and ongoing learning.

How to apply

If you're aged eighteen years or older and have a genuine desire to assist vulnerable and displaced people before, during and after an emergency event, this role may be for you.
 
Tell us about yourself along with any skills and experience you can bring to Red Cross by completing an online application. We thank you for applying!

The Canadian Red Cross is committed to gender equality and social inclusion in our workplace. All volunteer applicants will receive consideration without regard to sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, nationality, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. We welcome applications from all applicants particularly Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, visible minorities, and others who may contribute to diversification and share our values.

Please notify us as soon as possible of any adaptive measures you might require at any stage of the recruitment process.