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CAREER COUNSELOR
Emergency services coordinator
Question: I was distraught by media accounts of the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe and I feel motivated to help make a difference. In college, I was often called the "do-gooder" and had a part-time job coordinating the recruitment and selection of volunteers for a local non-profit agency. I have a bachelor's degree in business administration but am concerned that I don't have the right work experience to go into disaster services. Currently I am working in a management position in the for-profit sector. What would I need to do to make myself employable in emergency or disaster services in a non-profit or civil service setting?
— Nicki
Response: Most emergency service coordinators have prior work experience in volunteer disaster work.
Job Requirements
The job requirements in emergency or disaster services vary from organization to organization. For example, the minimum job requirement of an American Red Cross (ARC) Response Specialist is a bachelor's degree. The ARC would also prefer experience in recruitment, and training of volunteers, which you have. These jobs are generally part-time.
If you are interested in full-time work, a civil service job might fit the bill. For example, the minimum job requirements for County of Los Angeles Disaster Service Planning Assistants is at least three years of administrative work experience in organizational management and coordination of disaster or emergency services. You may qualify depending on an evaluation of your resume and transcripts.
Another civil service job is a State of California Emergency Services Coordinator. The minimum job requirements are a bachelor's degree and one year of work experience performing duties related to staff services analyst. Related duties would include coordinating budgets and programs.
You may qualify for this position. However, it may be determined that you don't have the relevant work experience as a staff services analyst. But, based on your bachelor's degree, you would qualify to work as a staff services analyst. This is a stepping stone to the emergency services coordinator position.
Job Description
Emergency service coordinators are responsible for overseeing disaster relief efforts. In civil service, duties include assisting with formulation and coordination of disaster/emergency services legislation and programs. Existing programs are reviewed to ensure they conform to federal, state and county policies and guidelines. Emergency service coordinators may act as the liaison between the department and emergency management agencies.
If you were to work for a non-profit such as the American Red Cross, you would perform duties such as recruiting, orienting, training, and supervising a cadre of volunteers. You would also maintain records, assist with initial response to disasters, and evaluate the needs of those impacted by disasters. Appropriate casework skills are necessary, as well as knowledge of disaster programs, social service programs, and community resources. Also, you must possess an ability to work effectively under pressure in a disaster environment.
Job Resources
Salary Range
The beginning pay of an American Red Cross Response Program Manager is approximately $32,000 to $35,000 per year.
The beginning pay of a County of Los Angeles Disaster Services Planning Assistant is approximately $51,600 per year.
The beginning pay of a State of California Emergency Services Coordinator is approximately $42,000 per year. The beginning pay of a Staff Services Analyst is approximately $31,200 per year.
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.
E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.
— Nicki
Response: Most emergency service coordinators have prior work experience in volunteer disaster work.
Job Requirements
The job requirements in emergency or disaster services vary from organization to organization. For example, the minimum job requirement of an American Red Cross (ARC) Response Specialist is a bachelor's degree. The ARC would also prefer experience in recruitment, and training of volunteers, which you have. These jobs are generally part-time.
If you are interested in full-time work, a civil service job might fit the bill. For example, the minimum job requirements for County of Los Angeles Disaster Service Planning Assistants is at least three years of administrative work experience in organizational management and coordination of disaster or emergency services. You may qualify depending on an evaluation of your resume and transcripts.
Another civil service job is a State of California Emergency Services Coordinator. The minimum job requirements are a bachelor's degree and one year of work experience performing duties related to staff services analyst. Related duties would include coordinating budgets and programs.
You may qualify for this position. However, it may be determined that you don't have the relevant work experience as a staff services analyst. But, based on your bachelor's degree, you would qualify to work as a staff services analyst. This is a stepping stone to the emergency services coordinator position.
Job Description
Emergency service coordinators are responsible for overseeing disaster relief efforts. In civil service, duties include assisting with formulation and coordination of disaster/emergency services legislation and programs. Existing programs are reviewed to ensure they conform to federal, state and county policies and guidelines. Emergency service coordinators may act as the liaison between the department and emergency management agencies.
If you were to work for a non-profit such as the American Red Cross, you would perform duties such as recruiting, orienting, training, and supervising a cadre of volunteers. You would also maintain records, assist with initial response to disasters, and evaluate the needs of those impacted by disasters. Appropriate casework skills are necessary, as well as knowledge of disaster programs, social service programs, and community resources. Also, you must possess an ability to work effectively under pressure in a disaster environment.
Job Resources
- American Red Cross
- Greater Los Angeles Chapter
- 11355 Ohio Ave.
- Los Angeles, CA 90025
- www.redcrossla.org
- 11355 Ohio Ave.
- County of Los Angeles
- Recruitment and Examining Office
- 5555 Ferguson Drive
- City of Commerce, CA 90022
- (323) 890-7924
- dhr.lacounty.info
- 5555 Ferguson Drive
- California State Personnel Board
- 801 Capitol Mall
- Sacramento, CA 95814
- (916) 653-1705
- www.spb.ca.gov
- Sacramento, CA 95814
- Job Spec Search Link
- www.spb.ca.gov/Employment/spbpayrd.htm
Salary Range
The beginning pay of an American Red Cross Response Program Manager is approximately $32,000 to $35,000 per year.
The beginning pay of a County of Los Angeles Disaster Services Planning Assistant is approximately $51,600 per year.
The beginning pay of a State of California Emergency Services Coordinator is approximately $42,000 per year. The beginning pay of a Staff Services Analyst is approximately $31,200 per year.
— • —
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.
E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.
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