AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team Crew Member

A-DRT Overview  

A-DRT stands for AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team. Utah Conservation Corps is part of a coalition of AmeriCorps programs from across the country dedicated to mobilizing our members to provide critical services at disaster sites. A-DRT members can deploy under very short notice, within hours in some cases. The ability to deploy, serve, and subsist under harsh conditions with little infrastructure is a large component of a disaster response position 

Position Overview  

• Date(s):
  • Deployment 1: November-December (exact deployment TBD by mission assignment)
  • Deployment 2: December – January (exact deployment TBD by mission assignment)
• Location(s): Southeast Region of the United States (exact location TBD)
• Term Length: 300-hrs (30-day deployment)

The UCC A-DRT member will travel with their crew to the disaster site to engage in disaster response work that may include chainsaw operations and tree removal, mucking and gutting of affected homes, community volunteer management, and connecting residents to local social services. Members will be working long hours in stressful environments. When the crew arrives, there may be limited structures. The crew is responsible for coordinating resources to carry out their service. 

Qualifications  

Minimum 

• Commitment to personal and professional growth
• Service-minded, with a strong desire to help others
• Positive attitude and a high level of maturity
• Flexibility
• Self-sufficiency and ability to care for oneself in a stressful work environment
• Ability to take on a variety of duties and projects related to conservation work and disaster response work
• Ability to work long hours and thrive in high environments where there may be little leadership or direction
• Team-oriented
• Must be in good physical condition, including the ability to lift up to 30 lbs. repeatedly, spend long hours bending and digging, and working in a variety of weather conditions
• Ability and willingness to live and work near others, including living in communal housing (ex., Community center, gymnasium, or camp-like setting)
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Eligible to enroll in an AmeriCorps term of service
• Pass a National Service Criminal History Check

Preferred 

• Experience with manual labor
• Previous experience in disaster response, national service, or volunteerism

Benefits 

• Living allowance of $4,500 paid in 3 equal installments
• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, $1,459.26 (available upon successful completion of term)
• Learn more about how you can use your Education Award https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award
• Forbearance on qualifying student loans while in service
• Training in national disaster response operations
• Living quarters and transportation provided during deployment