California Emergency Response Corps (CERC) Fellow – Climate Resilience & Disaster Preparedness
CORE Community Organized Relief Effort | Los Angeles, CA
$2,727 monthly stipend ($30,000 total over the ~11-month term)
Program Summary
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. California Volunteers, which manages California AmeriCorps programs, identified several counties that are especially vulnerable to the effects of disasters. There is an urgent need for the development of an infrastructure in vulnerable communities throughout California that can deliver emergency support to our vulnerable communities.
Position Summary
7 positions are available, based in the City of Los Angeles. Fellows will be serving with CORE—Community Organized Relief Effort. Fellows will report directly to the Climate Resilience & Disaster Preparedness Program Manager and will work alongside them and the Climate Resilience and Disaster Preparedness Area Manager on building capacity within our Climate Resilience division by supporting disaster mitigation implementation, volunteer coordination, and climate adaptation initiatives.
This is a limited term position of 1,700 hours (~11 months).
AmeriCorps Member Responsibilities
- Provide day-to-day support to nonprofit partner-site (CORE) in addressing the effects of climate change through disaster preparedness, urban greening, and education workshops.
- Serve ~35 hours per week.
- Must be available to deploy to statewide emergency operations up to 4 times per term, for 2 weeks each, as determined by AmeriCorps.
- 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 (within 24–48 hours) for up to two weeks.
- Attend recurring performance check-ins with CERC Management.
- 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, Urban Greening, and alleviating food insecurity through urban greening projects and food waste reduction.
- 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, Cesar Chavez Day, 9/11 Remembrance).
Responsibilities
- Lead presentations and outreach efforts through canvassing, and partnerships with local nonprofits for the purpose of measurable community behavioral changes in preparedness.
- Strengthening partnerships with local community-based organizations and internal programs.
- Attend events and trainings on behalf of partner-site and AmeriCorps programs.
- Listen to community needs and assist in developing programs to uplift them.
- Presenting and preparing disaster preparedness & climate education workshops.
- Implement disaster mitigation projects such as defensible space construction, home hardening, constructing gardens to redirect/absorb water, and others.
- Constructing and maintaining green spaces to mitigate extreme heat emergencies & address food insecurity.
- Planting to prevent erosion issues and mitigate future flash flooding disasters.
- Lead and coordinate volunteers in executing community-led projects.
Scope and Travel
- Based in the City of Los Angeles, with local travel throughout LA County, Ventura, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside for community outreach, events, and trainings.
- Available to deploy statewide anywhere in California up to 4 times per term, up to two weeks each, on short notice.
Qualifications
- Age 18 years or older.
- U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
- Live locally to Los Angeles or be willing to relocate.
- Bilingual (Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Armenian, or another LA County threshold language) preferred.
- One year of professional, volunteer, or leadership experience in community engagement, emergency management, public health, education, environmental justice, nonprofit, or a related field; or a bachelor's degree.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and facilitate presentations or workshops.
- Demonstrated commitment to public service, community engagement, and supporting diverse communities.
- Ability to build collaborative relationships with community members, nonprofit organizations, schools, government agencies, and other partners.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance field work, administrative tasks, documentation, and reporting while managing multiple priorities.
- Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative, work independently, and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Consistently demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and reliability.
- Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Willingness to learn, receive feedback, and continuously develop professionally throughout the fellowship.
- Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions and traveling regularly throughout Southern California for outreach, trainings, and community events.
- Ability to serve evenings and weekends when needed.
- Ability to deploy on short notice anywhere in California for disaster response, up to four times yearly, for up to two weeks each.
- Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom, Canva, and other digital collaboration tools, or the ability to quickly learn new technology.
- Due to recurring or episodic access to vulnerable populations, service in this role is contingent on DOJ, FBI, and National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) background checks, as well as any AmeriCorps or CORE service eligibility requirements. Candidates must possess a valid California driver's license, reliable personal transportation, and maintain current automobile insurance.
Member Benefits
- $30,000 living stipend (before taxes), paid semi-monthly and spread evenly over the ~11-month term.
- $10,000 education award upon successful completion of service — a combination of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award and the California For All (CFA) Education Award, managed through the AmeriCorps National Trust Fund. The CFA award is available only to members who complete a full 1,700-hour term.
- Healthcare coverage for full-time (1,700 hour) members.
- Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
- Childcare coverage (for qualifying members).
Note: Education awards and time off benefits require successful completion of the full 1,700-hour term.
Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records checks, sex offender registries, employment and education verifications, and child abuse registry check (if required by state regulations), are required post job offer and prior to service. Service is also contingent on DOJ and FBI background checks, plus COVID-19 testing or proof of vaccination.
Safeguarding
CORE is committed to keeping children and vulnerable individuals safe and has a Zero Tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse. Every CORE employee, consultant, and volunteer is bound by CORE's Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy. By applying for this position, an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer's safeguarding, sexual misconduct, (child) sexual exploitation and abuse, or human trafficking policy.
Pay: $30,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Los Angeles, CA 90012
