Website California Emergency Response Corps
**Due to the need to respond to a sudden and unpredictable emergency or disaster, we will not consider anyone enrolled full-time in school during the contract term.
California Emergency Response Corps
California Emergency Response Corps (CERC) is a statewide preparedness and response program whose goal is to help California become better prepared and to deploy to emergencies and disasters. This program is part of a larger statewide California Volunteer campaign to boost emergency preparedness in communities experiencing social isolation, poverty, or language barriers, and food insecurities.
AmeriCorps Member Responsibilities
- Serve 40 hours per week through contract duration (starting September 16, 2026)
- Must be available to deploy to state-wide emergency operations for 2 weeks, 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 regional and site supervisors.
- Complete mandatory training in-person or virtually as directed.
- Attend mandatory monthly CERC meetings.
- Weekly communication, documentation and timekeeping of hours and activities.
- Deliver service in the community through disaster preparedness education.
- 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 & 9/11 Remembrance).
- Community Outreach & Education:
- 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.
- Members will lead presentations and outreach efforts through canvassing, and partnerships with local non-profits 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 for up to two weeks at a time.
Qualifications
- Age 18 years or older
- U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Live locally to nonprofit partner for day to-day service
- Two years professional or volunteer experience (in related fields), or Bachelor’s Degree
- Ability to potentially serve evenings and weekends when needed
- Ability to deploy on short notice anywhere in California for disaster response for up to two weeks each deployment
- Basic knowledge of Microsoft Suite, Zoom, G Suite and willingness to learn
- Due to recurring access or episodic access to vulnerable populations, service in this role is contingent on the following checks: DOJ, FBI and National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW). Candidates must also possess a personal automobile, a current California driver’s license and maintain valid automobile insurance. Availability to meet ongoing requirements.
Desired Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Experience working with community programs. non-profits, churches, community organizations preferred
- Ability to provide a consistent, professional, positive relationship with the community 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
- Ability to speak Spanish or other non-English language strongly preferred
Member Benefits
- Healthcare
- $10,000 Education Award (Segal Education Award & California for All)
- Training and professional development opportunities
- Childcare coverage (for qualifying members)
- Student loan forbearance (for qualifying loans)
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, with occasional weekends or evenings based on events or deployments.
Apply Now online at: https://bacr.tfaforms.net/f/cerc-member-app
