What are the responsibilities and job description for the ONM Disaster Response Specialist position at The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod?
ONM Disaster Response Specialist
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod - Office of National Mission
Organization Profile
The Office of National Mission coordinates and supports domestic ministries that serve congregations and schools through the districts of the Synod (Bylaw 3.8.2.3).
Reporting Relationships
- In day-to-day responsibilities, the ONM Disaster Response Specialist is accountable to the Director of Disaster Response.
Essential Job Functions
- Serves as a subject matter expert and consultant to ministry area staff members on FEMA volunteer requirements.
- Coordinates the LERT volunteer program by planning/leading various webinars each month.
- Maintains working databases of all LERT trained volunteers, and coordinates communication with trained volunteers from across the US on a regular basis to actively engage our base.
- Create, manage and keep up-to-date electronic records of training programs, certifications, and participants.
- Maintains accurate records of all LERT deployments, relating to the number of volunteers, hours worked, and families assisted.
- Serves as the primary contact and subject matter expert for the LERT work order tool and LCMS-lert.org, providing assistance and counsel to volunteers and other departments within ONM regarding its use.
- Collaborates with the Synod’s web architects for website postings and updates as it relates to the LERT program.
- Generates LCMS Disaster Response social media posts and manages resulting interactions.
- Provides a monthly activity report to the Director in the format requested to include reporting on outcome-based goals, activities, and business expenses.
- Trained on the LCMS Grantmaking software and assists the LCMS Grant Manager in the processing of disaster related grants and the tracking of other response efforts.
- Coordinates the development and of new LERT disaster response training modules for an online learning platform and the volunteers who participate in the classes.
- Works with District Disaster Response Coordinators (DDRC) to provide Train-the-Trainer events via Zoom and to raise up future trainers in all areas of disaster training
- Organizes various training cohorts via Zoom or other software means.
- Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
- Active member of a Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod congregation, faithful to the Holy Scriptures, and the Lutheran Confessions, and supportive of the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws and policies.
- Bachelor’s degree is required. A master’s degree in either business, organizational leadership, teaching, education, or deaconess studies is preferred, and/or a minimum of 3 years of service to the church either on the mission field or in a team ministry setting. A rostered LCMS church worker is preferred.
- Education/Experience with LERT and disaster response or coordination is preferred.
- Experience in developing effective communiqué and managing projects.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Clear thinker, able to articulate with spoken and written word.
- Demonstrated skill with technology, including Microsoft Office, social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.), online learning platforms, databases, and video conferencing.
- Able to make contacts and follow through with people at all levels of the Church.
- Able to independently direct projects and see them through to their successful completion without outside direction.
- The ability to solve complex problems is preferred.
- A firm grasp on general accounting principles and the ability to track numbers from numerous sources at the same time is preferred.
- Ability and willingness to travel on occasion.
- Ability to articulate the Lutheran understanding of the theology of the cross spiritual care.
Supervisory Responsibility
- None.
