SBP Disaster Recovery AmeriCorps Program

Are you passionate about addressing social justice and sustainability? If so, our service-minded AmeriCorps team needs your help!

Climate change is here, increasing the size and frequency of natural disasters and displacing over 15 million people each year. Hurricanes like Ida, Harvey, Maria, and Ian disproportionately affect underresourced communities, whose road to recovery often takes years. SBP is dedicated to shrinking the time between disaster and recovery, work that includes helping individual homeowners and communities rebuild after a disaster.

Take a gap year with us! Over the course of 10 months, you can help us rebuild homes, repair lives, and fortify families from reaching their breaking point. As an SBP AmeriCorps member, you can choose to directly assist in our construction and disaster deployment efforts, or choose to play a crucial role in coordinating services to disaster survivors. 

New Orleans members may also serve in SBP’s Opportunity Housing Program in addition to working with home repair clients. The Opportunity Housing Program provides affordable, storm-resilient, energy-efficient homes for sale and rent to lower-income residents, to help them build resilience before disaster strikes. AmeriCorps members will gain valuable experience in how to redevelop neighborhoods and build housing that is affordable and resilient.

Where can you choose to serve?

• Tampa, Florida
• New Orleans, Louisiana (FEMA Appeals Client Service Coordinator Only)

What positions are available?

• As a Project Lead, you will rebuild, construct, and fortify the homes of disaster survivors. You will learn and master many phases of construction, and lead, mentor, and coach volunteers as they assist with your rebuilding efforts. You will learn sustainability and energy efficiency techniques that help homes better withstand future storms. No construction experience is necessary. 
• As a Disaster Corps Project Lead, you will embody SBP’s dedication to timely response, deploying to disaster-impacted communities following the immediate impact of natural disasters. When not on deployment, you will serve as Project Leads supporting recovery in your community. This is a vital part of the role, as some Disaster Corps members may not have the opportunity to deploy during their term. 
• As a Supply & Logistics Coordinator, you will streamline SBP's warehouse and delivery system operations and make daily deliveries of supplies to our service sites. By prioritizing efficiency and ensuring our sites have the materials they need, you will actively help SBP reduce the time to bring disaster-impacted families back home.
• As a Construction Coordinator, you will play a fundamental role in maintaining the momentum of our operations by overseeing the construction progress of our client’s homes. You will be involved from start to finish, whether securing proper permits for each site, designing subcontractor schedules, or monitoring overall site progress.
• As a Volunteer Coordinator,  you will recruit and coordinate volunteer visits.  You will welcome volunteer groups, talk to them about the impact of their service, and empower individuals to join us in being part of the solution!
• As a Client Services Coordinator, you will be our clients’ main point of contact throughout their time with SBP. Client Services Coordinators serve as liaisons for disaster survivors, offering them support by assessing needs, providing referrals, and guiding the application and construction process. Your work will fortify these members of our community from reaching their breaking points. 
• As a FEMA Appeals Client Service Coordinator, you will assist clients with their eligibility for FEMA application or appeal assistance either in person, via phone, or video platforms such as FaceTime or Zoom. 
• As a Client Preparedness Coordinator, you will execute community-wide preparedness engagements and work with SBP's clients to increase their knowledge and capacity to make more informed disaster preparedness decisions.

SBP AmeriCorps Benefits:

• Stipend of $2,163 per month (pre-tax)
• Free individual health insurance
• A housing stipend of $175/month for AmeriCorps alumni
• Relocation reimbursement of up to $500 for eligible members  
• Segal Education Award of $7,395 (Can be used as tuition assistance and/or for repaying qualified student loans and is awarded upon successful completion of a 10-month term of service)
• AmeriCorps Childcare Benefits Program
• Student loan forbearance for qualified loans
• Free Mental Health, Financial, and Legal support through the Member Assistance Program

Member TIme Off: Time off is available to each member who is on track to meet or exceed their AmeriCorps hours in a term. Members are not guaranteed time off as part of their AmeriCorps term of service, but they may submit a Time-Off Request via Paylocity to their supervisor for approval. The supervisor and AmeriCorps Program Manager will consider factors such as a member’s progress towards completing their service hours and the potential impact the member’s absence may have on program operations when determining time off approvals.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications Required: 

• Be at least 17 years of age or older.
• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
• Strong interpersonal skills, including active listening. 
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor in challenging situations, including client crises.
• Ability to clearly communicate needs and expectations to people of various backgrounds.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills. 
• Fluency in Spanish is required for positions serving at the Puerto Rico Operating Site.

COVID-19 Safety Statement: While COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are highly encouraged, they are not mandatory for SBP team members at this time. However, SBP strongly recommends that all team members stay current with vaccinations and boosters, which remains one of the best ways to protect themselves, their colleagues, and the clients we serve. 

When would you start?

• We have rolling start dates throughout the year! Submit your application now and one of our recruiters can talk to you about upcoming start dates.

Want to learn more?

• Watch SBP's Anthem video to hear how we are helping prevent people from reaching their breaking point.
• Watch this video to learn What is AmeriCorps?
• Fill out this form to have a member of our team contact you! 

As an AmeriCorps member serving with SBP, you will be part of the growing national service movement. You will receive professional development with a dynamic social-impact organization that is pioneering a new model for disaster recovery to support people, especially those who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. If you’re committed to learning, have a strong work ethic, and enjoy working with volunteers, we want you on our team! 

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