What are the responsibilities and job description for the CERT Program Area Leader (Volunteer) position at San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District?
The CERT program trains local residents through a nationally recognized 27-hour academy course to prepare for, build critical skills, and respond in times of emergency to assist our neighbors and communities.
Upon completion of the course, CERT graduates are supported by CERT Program Area Leaders across 10 operating areas throughout the San Ramon Valley.
The selected candidate(s) will lead, organize, and represent a jurisdictional CERT area representing 30 to over 100 CERT graduates. The Area Leader recruits, trains, maintains readiness, and supports local CERT volunteers. The Area Leader acts as the primary liaison between the CERT Leadership Team and the local jurisdictional area, following nationally aligned CERT guidance and locally adopted SRVFPD CERT organizational and operational best practices.
This is a volunteer (unpaid) position and role that reports to CERT Program Leadership and/or the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District Liaison.
The duties consist of, but are not limited to the following:
- Act as the primary point of contact for CERT members in a local jurisdictional area within the San Ramon Valley
- Coordinate notifications, events, and provide regular and periodic communications of key information and readiness opportunities.
- Maintain an up-to-date area roster, contact lists, skills inventory, and supplies list.
- Ensure accountability and safety of team members during exercises and activations.
- Organize and lead periodic team meetings, community events, drills, and community preparedness outreach events
- Work with CERT Leadership to develop and implement exercise scenarios that reflect local hazards.
- Provide on-scene leadership for CERT operations (size-up, assignment of teams, establishing treatment/triage/command areas) if no incident commander is present and/or offer to relieve incident commanders for breaks or mandatory rest periods.
- Track training status, equipment needs, and volunteer readiness for the area
- Report needs and incidents to the CERT Leadership or Fire District Liaison.
- Minimum Age: 18
- Completion of CERT Academy.
- Must have a valid California Driver's License.
- Maintenance of a valid California Driver's License is required as a condition to volunteer.
- Maintain a residence within the District or within 30 minutes of District boundaries.
- Demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience in volunteer, community, or professional settings.
- Attend 4 out of the 6 (67%) required Area Leader training meetings per year. Failure to do so may result in the person being dropped from the program. Training meetings are held every two months on a weekday evening.
- Ability to pass any department-required background check
- Availability to participate in CERT activities on flexible evenings and weekends.
- Good communication skills (phone, email/text, in-person) and recordkeeping ability.
- Represent your neighbors, community, & San Ramon Fire Protection District in the highest regard.
- Flexibility to accommodate other duties and requests as assigned.
HIGHLY DESIRED
- Experience running community outreach or volunteer programs
- Basic First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
- Holding an active GMRS or Amateur Radio license and/or equivalent radio experience
- Advanced CERT training (e.g., IS-100, IS-200, IS-240 series) or equivalent leadership/communications/incident command experience.
ORIENTATION & TRAINING (Provided by the District)
- CERT Area Leader Program Orientation
- Mentorship by members of the CERT Leadership Team and existing Area Leaders
- Ongoing training: regular refresher drills, leadership courses, and facilitation guidance.
- Radio communications training and support to obtain a minimum GMRS radio license or higher.
- Access to CERT program resources, manuals, and sample documents and templates for position duties and tracking.
COMMITMENT & BENEFITS
- Flexible volunteer commitment; opportunities for leadership development, disaster preparedness and response experience, community impact, and department recognition.
The information contained herein is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract or offer.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Candidates must apply online through Government Jobs at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/srvfire.
Candidates considered for employment will be required to undergo a background investigation, including a medical examination and a pre-employment drug screening.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Division at (925) 838-6628.
The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District is an equal employment opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit, qualifications and competence. The District does not discriminate on the basis of race (including traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles), sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, pregnancy and breastfeeding), religious creed (including religious dress and grooming), color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, registered domestic partner status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), age (40 and over), genetic characteristics and information, reproductive health decision-making, or any other basis prohibited by law.