Response Specialist

**** Unable to provide sponsorship at this time. Only considering persons eligible to work in the United States.*

Position Title:Response Specialist

Supervisor’s Title: Team Lead

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Positions Supervised: None

Location: Charlotte, NC and other domestic and international locations as needed

BACKGROUND: 

Global Support and Development (GSD) is a humanitarian organization whose mission is to work with regional, national, and local communities across the Caribbean, Central America and South Pacific for resilience to crises through rapid response, disaster preparedness, and climate adaptation. 

GSD began as an impromptu response to Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu in 2015. Since our founding, we have worked with a number of regional, national and local communities and supported various international and United States domestic disaster response and preparedness efforts.  Our first response defined the core of GSD’s DNA as an organization – to work with communities – led by their needs, filling the gaps they have identified, while leveraging unique approaches and capabilities with an innovation mindset. By integrating our team’s diverse skill sets and resources into local responses, we provide rapid response assistance to affected communities in coordination with regional, national, and local community partners. We work to support and strengthen local capacity through disaster preparedness initiatives, including innovation and climate adaptation, to reduce the impact disasters and the climate crisis have on communities.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:  

The Response Specialist supports the GSD disaster response and capacity-strengthening teams, working closely with local partners in supporting communities. The Response Specialist participates in data collection, contextual analysis, and working groups to advance GSD’s strategic initiatives across the organization. Though this position provides direct support to disaster response activities, the Response Specialist should expect to spend much of their time engaged in technical training, capacity-strengthening, and preparatory efforts.

Specialty skill areas of this position include but are not limited to, rapid needs assessment and emergency management from an on the ground, small team perspective.  Expect to use uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), participate in debris clearance, keep team security and safety in mind, find creative solutions to problems, and use other tools or technologies that may be relevant to GSD missions both emergent and non-emergent.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

1. Directly supports GSD disaster response and capacity-strengthening activities, including training, deploying, and supporting GSD teams working internationally;
2. Supports contextual analysis and understanding of priority partner countries and organizations;
3. Participate in GSD working groups to support internal processes and systems, including cross-organization initiatives;
4. Contribute in a meaningful way to After Action Reviews (AARs), MEAL assessments, and strategic initiatives;
5. Participate in organizational training to maintain role-specific skills including, but not limited to, rapid needs assessment, the use of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), debris clearance, team security and safety, internal team rescue, internal team communications, and internal team sustainment;
6. Support inventory, maintenance, and repair of equipment;
7. Prompt and action GSD’s core values of accountability, humility, and integrity in all work we conduct;
8. Promote good stewardship of financial and other resources to achieve maximum benefit to those impacted by disasters or at risk of impact; and
9. Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Required Experience:

• Five (5) or more years of relevant experience in emergency operations in any sector; and

• Three (3) or more years of experience operating as part of a team in disaster response or other resource limited / austere environments.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management or related field; or

• An equivalent combination of relevant experience and training.

Professional Licenses/Certifications:

• ICS, medical, technical rescue, WASH, tradeswork, and humanitarian certifications desired.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Ability to engage in multiple projects simultaneously under pressure;

• Strong organizational skills, the ability to shift tasks rapidly, self-motivation, and strong verbal communication skills;

• Discernment for confidentiality in relation to organizational, partner, and donor activities and communications;

• Experience working and/or traveling domestically and internationally; and

• Working knowledge of Spanish and/or French desired.

• Trades experience such as electrical, plumbing, small engine/diesel repair, heavy equipment operation, etc desired.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• At this time, GSD is not offering sponsorship and is only accepting applications from persons eligible to work in the United States; and

• Routine domestic and international travel up to 60% is required.

BENEFITS: 

You'll get..

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Premiums 100% covered by GSD for employee, employee +spouse, employee +family
• Basic Life, AD&D, and Long Term Disability Insurance: Fully covered by GSD
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA): Up to $4,000 in total annually for employee +2 or more family members
• Voluntary Life Insurance: Options available at reasonable group rates
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): All employees are eligible for a minimum of 6 weeks of PTO per year after 90 days of service
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks paid by GSD
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional Career Development Opportunities
• 401(k): GSD will match up to 6% of base salary for all employees ages 21+. Employees are eligible to begin contributing after 1 pay cycle, and the company match will go into effect immediately after employee begins contributing

• • Additional Perks!

This job description is a summary rather than a detailed list of the duties performed.  The essential functions, knowledge, skills, and working conditions may change along with business needs.  This job description does not constitute a contract between employer and employee as employment is at will.  Global Support and Development provides reasonable accommodations to assist qualified individuals in order to perform the essential functions their job requires.

GSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and embraces all candidates regardless of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), nation of origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military/veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law. GSD promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all candidate selections

GSD promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all candidate selections.