What are the responsibilities and job description for the Wilderness Search and Rescue - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY position at Missouri Valley Search and Rescue?
Job Summary
We are seeking dedicated and compassionate individuals to join our team as volunteers for a Wilderness Search and Rescue unit. Our service area is the 100-mile radius around St. Louis, MO. In this role, you will contribute your time and skills to support our mission and make a positive impact in the community. Volunteers will engage in various activities that promote our organization's goals, assist with events, and provide essential services to those in need. This position is ideal for individuals looking to gain experience, develop leadership skills, and make meaningful connections.
Once you go through your probationary period and attain full membership, there are 3 divisions within the unit that members may operate within:
1. Command/Public Relations - these members are primarily concerned with the coordinating and running various community events during the normal course of operations, and for operating at Incident Command during deployments to include running communications, completing various mission briefings, and providing general support for field-deployed units.
2. Field Operations -these members serve our frontline mission in the field, and are deployed into the various wilderness and backcountry areas to act as searchers, navigators, and flankers, in the search for living subjects during rescue missions, and for human remains during recovery operations.
3. K-9 Operations - these members specialize in the training and handling of live-track and human remains detection (HRD) K-9 units, and are deployed in the field when the mission requires those advanced resources. They are also responsible for maintaining the certifications, trainings, and readiness of their K-9s.
Responsibilities
- Deploy on rescue and recovery missions as directed by Law Enforcement, Fire Service, and other governmental agencies, primarily in a wilderness setting
- Engage with the community in Public Relations events to raise SAR awareness, solicit for new recruits, and seek out donations for the unit
- Attend monthly trainings to maintain all relevant skillsets that support our mission, and maintaining various certifications required to be field-deployable
Time Commitment
As volunteer first responders, we understand that your job and family obligations need to come first. As such, our expectation of participation is no less than 50% of all meetings, trainings, PR events, and deployments.
We meet as a whole unit virtually via video meeting once per month to discuss trainings, upcoming events, and active missions.
One weekend day per month (usually either a Saturday or a Sunday, rarely both) we meet for in-person trainings
Various PR and community events throughout the year, averaging about 4-6 annually
Missions and deployments as they develop
Experience
- Previous volunteer experience is a plus but not required; enthusiasm for helping others is essential.
- A baseline comfort level in the backcountry and wilderness
- Skills in CPR, first aid, emergency management, or leadership are highly valued.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Strong communication skills and a friendly demeanor when interacting with diverse groups of people.
Join us in making a difference! Your commitment as a Volunteer will help us serve our community better while providing you with valuable experiences and opportunities for personal growth.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $0.10 per year
Work Location: On the road