Volunteer Opportunities

Below are descriptions of volunteer positions often filled in a disaster. Please note that all positions require that you complete a Volunteer Orientation, as well as a Livescan background check, at no cost to you, through the Orange County Rescue Mission. 

 Before Disaster  

Regular (Weekly/Monthly)

Communications — e-mail communication with partner churches, donor orgs; newsletters, publications, literature; social media; able to communicate clearly and manage stressful situations; able to write clearly; time commitment varies; 1 – 4 hours/week.

General Support Personnel — Provide basic administrative support (computer, send/respond to emails, track and enter data); information technology; regular commitment, 1 or more days/week, 2–4 hours/day.

Leadership: Volunteer Coordinator — assist with or conduct Volunteer Orientations; input volunteer information into database; connect with new volunteers personally to assess best fit and establish as part of a volunteer team; recruit, screen, place, schedule volunteers; schedule training (e.g., general, emotional/spiritual care, leadership, EMT); approx. 3–5 hours/week at OpOC/home.

Leadership: Section Chiefs (Operations, Logistics, Planning, Finance/Admin + Case Management) — passion for disaster response; strong leadership skills; plan and prepare prior to disaster and play a critical role in directing operations during disaster; time commitment TBD.

Prayer — support OperationOC through prayer before, during, and after deployments; support the Support Team through prayer; develop a 24-hour “prayer clock”; time commitment varies; at home/OpOC.

Periodic

Expos/Events — answer questions, distribute information, “meet & greet”; 2–4 hours per event. 
 
Meetings — OpOC Partnership: help with set up, take minutes, transcribe; outside meetings: help build relationships; 3–4 hours per meeting. 
 
Special Projects — assist with development of new programs & projects; time commitment varies. 
 
Training/Orientation Support — ensure all materials are prepared; help set up; coordinate refreshments; 1–3 hours prep + length of training.

 During Disaster*  

Immediate (within 24—36 hours): continues throughout response; time commitment varies with the event.

Prayer — support teams through prayer before, during, and after deployments; support the Support Team through prayer; develop a 24-hour “prayer clock”; home/OpOC.

Leadership: Volunteer Coordinator — determine shifts, duties, locations for volunteers; contact volunteers by social media, text, email, and/or phone; schedule volunteers; follow up after volunteer service; home/OpOC.

General Support Personnel — help things run smoothly at Operation OC headquarters during disaster; answer phones, transfer calls, respond to emails, and track and enter data; able to multi-task, provide basic administrative skills, use the computer, be friendly, and love working with people; OpOC

Communication — e-mail communication with volunteers, partner churches, donor organizations; media (press); public Information Officer (PIO); publications (i.e., newsletters, flyers); literature; social media; signage; conference calls; website updates; OpOC; home

2-1-1 Call Handler — provide pre-designated resource information to callers; OpOC

Radio Operators — help operate and assist with UHF and/or HAM radio operations; HAM license required; OpOC; multiple locations.
 
Partner Relations (churches, relief organizations) — new church partners; new community agencies; Red Cross (USA and International); FEMA; Federal Government; State Government; Local Government; OpOC/In the field.
 
Donor Relations — maintain relationship with donor contact at each church/donor organization; coordinate efforts between donors and logistic team; OpOC/In the field.
 
Logistics Support Personnel — identify needed material, supplies, and equipment in detail; match resources to needs on site and in field; OpOC/In the field.

Until Need is Met (36 hours - ?): time commitment varies with the event.

Recovery Resource Specialists (short-term) — face to face interaction with disaster survivors; assess needs; connect survivors with practical help, such as gift cards, food boxes, hygiene kits, and referrals; must be friendly and reassuring, patient, hospitable, and love working with people; Client Track training required, may be provided on site; Local Assistance Center.

 
Assistance Center Guides — familiarize self with agencies and resources in LAC (you will be provided with current information); help clients navigate through “maze” of information; must be friendly and comfortable working with people devastated by a disaster; Local Assistance Center.
 
Emotional & Spiritual Care/Chaplains — listen, comfort, console; pray with survivors if they are comfortable with the idea (not an occasion for proselytizing); Local Assistance Center.

 
Child Care Providers — provide calming presence; must be friendly, reassuring, patient, hospitable, and love working with children; Local Assistance Center.
 
Children’s Craft Coordinator — oversee child care area in LAC; must be friendly, reassuring, patient, hospitable, and love working with children; provide crafts and games for children while parents are handling paperwork; Local Assistance Center.
 
Warehouse Assistants (Logistics) — sort, consolidate, and package donations; shipping and receiving; inventory; equipment maintenance; warehouse facilities; shipping from VOH to staging area; Village of Hope warehouse, Tustin (OpOC).

 
Forklift Operators — move supplies and donations within VOH warehouse; must be certified on our equipment prior to disaster. (Takes one to two hours, depending on experience); must be able to carry heavy items; Village of Hope warehouse, Tustin (OpOC).
 
Drivers — get resources to where they are needed; transport goods and coordinate resource delivery; requires proof of license and insurance; possibly transport teams; Class B license with passenger endorsement required for some vehicles; must be able to carry heavy items; multiple locations.
 
Medical Providers — medical professionals provide care in a variety of settings: shelters, neighborhoods, wherever needed; serve on a Mobile Medical Unit; multiple locations.
 
Security — observant, tactful, and firm; help provide assistance signing people in, observing an area, and directing people; OpOC 
 
Case Managers (long-term) — must be comfortable working on an ongoing basis with people devastated by disaster; help individuals and families reach stability; connect with resources; assist with completion of paperwork; overcome barriers to help; OpOC.

*Shift times and location determined in disaster.