Associate for National Disaster (PDA)

Overview

The national offices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), based in Louisville Kentucky, serve with mid-councils, congregations, worshipping communities, and partner organizations to carry forth the mission of Jesus Christ. Approximately 400 individuals, diverse in race, age, gender, sexual orientation, faith, skills, and more, come together as colleagues to work for a world where justice reigns, peace prevails, and God’s love extends to all people. This community comprises the staff of national entities: the Interim Unified Agency, the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, Presbyterian Women, and the Administrative Services Group.

Position Purpose:

This individual will provide leadership and oversight for implementing the immediate and long-term response to crises and disasters in the U.S. and U.S. territories, working through Presbyterian Mid-Councils, congregations, PDA staff, IUA staff and volunteer teams.

Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate response and recovery efforts to all disasters and crises in the U.S. and U.S. territories including provision of funds through grants, monitoring their use and coordinating deployments of volunteers to, and reporting from, the field.   Collaborate with PDA international program in response, recovery and volunteer management activities when invited.
2. Oversee the recruiting, training, resourcing, managing and deployment of members of the PDA National Response Team and the National Volunteer Team to provide support to mid-councils, churches and partners.
3. Strategically work with mid-councils & partners to ensure training & building capacity for disaster preparedness, response & mitigation including the development of disaster response & mitigation plans that support PDA‘s response.   Stay current on emerging disaster response & mitigation issues.   Advise PDA/IUA staff & volunteers as appropriate.
4. Supervise PDA staff, including the Associate for Emotional and Spiritual Care and the Associate for Volunteer Ministries.
5. Work collaboratively with PDA, CPJ and other IUA staff on disaster response including Hospitality and Emotional and Spiritual Care. Work with partners including governmental and non-governmental agencies in such responses.
6. Represent and/or ensure PDA representation at meetings of governmental and non-governmental partner organizations, including but not limited to Church World Service, National, State and Territory VOADs, interfaith and ecumenical partners, in coordination with Coordinator.
7. Work with PDA Manager to develop and manage the program budget.
8. Supervise support staff for national response and work with Coordinator to develop and manage the program budget.  Participate in collaborative projects with CPJ/IUA as appropriate.
9. Ensure that PDA is represented in the networks/partnerships. 
10. Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Essential Position Requirements:

• Master’s degree or bachelor’s degree and equivalent training and related work experience. Theological training or equivalent life experience/ competency and/or• Ordination to a church position in the PCUSA or ecumenical partner. M Div. preferred.
•  A minimum of 5 years of related experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Management of disaster response in the field.
• Supervisory and team building skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Networking. Self-starter and comfortable doing multiple tasks.
• Ecumenical experience and understanding.
• Understanding of Presbyterian polity and organization

Helpful Skills:

• The ability to use English and another language.
• Have a deep understanding and commitment to cultural and racial ethnic inclusiveness.  Values diverse groups, ethnicities, genders, communities, cultural constituencies and points of view.  Able to relate well to people from all walks of life and of varying theological perspectives. 
• Experience with denominational system and personnel in U.S.
• Experience with ecumenical and NGO disaster partners in the U.S

Physical Requirements:  Ability to perform required duties, including extensive travel, sometimes to areas affected by disaster.

Competencies: 

• Works together in an inclusive community, invites input, shares ideas and seeks the best ways to accomplish common goals.
• Takes responsibility for actions and works with integrity, transparency and love.
• Understands and values differences in various cultures within the organization. Manages dynamics of cultural differences within a work group. Adapts to cultural diversity by continuously learning about differences and creates opportunities for staff to learn about one another.
• Recognize the importance of rest and renewal and maintain an appropriate balance between work life and personal life by adapting to changing needs at work, taking time to pursue personal interests, seeking others' help and discernment when needed and responding appropriately when they are overcommitted or when faced with stressful or dynamic situations.

Additional Information/Benefits:

We believe a balanced life, with time for work, leisure, and spiritual nurture, makes us healthier and more productive colleagues at the Presbyterian Center.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees including Medical, Dental, Pension Plan, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending accounts, 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, Vacation Days, Sick Days, and Paid Holidays.

Our Commitment:

Our faith in God inspires our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and is grounded in scripture, the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and actions of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is committed to being not only an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the U.S. government, but with the inclusion of gender identity and sexual orientation as well.

Candidates from Presbyterian communities in the global south and other historic Presbyterian Communities of Color, preferably with theological training and fluency in languages other than English, are encouraged to apply.