MANAGER FOR DISASTER RESPONSE: MITIGATION, PREPAREDNESS & LONG-TERM RECOVERY (Preference for Twin Cities, Minnesota)

NECHAMA – Jewish Response to Disaster is the only national Jewish organization providing sustained direct response and recovery services to U.S. communities affected by natural disasters. Founded in 1993 and rooted in Jewish values, including tikkun olam (repair of the world), NECHAMA helps communities recover from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and other natural disasters through hands-on service, volunteer engagement, and long-term recovery support.

NECHAMA's work advances three core priorities:

• Providing comfort, hope, and practical assistance to individuals and communities affected by disasters.

• Demonstrating Jewish values through meaningful service to communities of all backgrounds.

• Creating opportunities for volunteers of all faiths to engage in service, build relationships, and explore purpose through disaster response and recovery work.

For more information, visit www.nechama.org.

Location: The location preference for this job is in the Twin Cities. If not based in Minnesota, the successful candidate must live near a major airport. The Manager for Disaster Response: Mitigation, Preparedness and Long-term Recovery must be available to travel throughout the country as needs arise, potentially spending significant amounts of time away from home.  

Reports to: Director of Disaster Operations 

The Manager for Disaster Mitigation, Preparedness and Long-term Recovery is a new role at NECHAMA. The manager helps plan and execute NECHAMA's disaster response and recovery operations while helping community stakeholders reduce their vulnerabilities and guide long-term recovery following a disaster.  

The Manager for Disaster Mitigation, Preparedness and Long-term Recovery serves as a member of the Operations Team and works closely with staff, volunteers, contractors, partner organizations, and community stakeholders to support NECHAMA's mission throughout the disaster lifecycle.

Because disaster response is unpredictable, this position requires flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to travel extensively when deployments occur.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Response & Recovery Operations

• Support operational planning before, during, and after deployments.

• Deploy to disaster-impacted communities to conduct assessments, establish response operations, and lead mitigation and long-term recovery programming. 

• For larger deployments, help recruit, onboard, train, supervise, and evaluate temporary deployment staff.

• Supervise volunteers on mitigation and long-term rebuild worksites, demonstrating appropriate techniques while maintaining all safety protocols.

• Identify new worksites and clients, and develop relationships with local partners and recovery groups.  

  Preparedness, Mitigation and Long-term Recovery

• Plan, develop and coordinate programs to prepare community stakeholders and vulnerable populations for natural disasters. 

• Conduct hazard vulnerability analyses, identifying high-risks and infrastructure weaknesses in the event of natural disasters.  

• Design mitigation strategies and coordinate volunteer-driven projects to alleviate risks of future harm, including brush and vegetation removal to mitigate future wildfires, deployment of sandbags for flood mitigation, and hardening infrastructure to prevent harm during wind events. 

• Plan and  execute long-term recovery rebuilding programs to alleviate current harms caused by long-ago natural disasters. 

Volunteer & Community Engagement

• Support development of volunteer disaster corps around the country.

• Assist with volunteer engagement activities, training opportunities, and deployment readiness efforts.

• Collaborate with the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator on volunteer readiness for mitigation and rebuild deployments.

• Work collaboratively with the Communications Team to identify stories, photos, and content that highlight NECHAMA's impact during deployments.

Partnerships & External Relations

• Maintain and strengthen relationships with local, state, and national disaster partners, including long-term recovery groups.

• Serve as NECHAMA's liaison to national long-term recovery groups and mitigation-focused VOAD committees.

• Represent NECHAMA at conferences, meetings, community events, and speaking engagements.

• Support development of new partnerships aligned with organizational priorities.

Perform other duties as assigned in support of organizational goals.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE 

Required Qualifications

• Commitment to NECHAMA's mission and values.

• Bachelor's degree required; relevant advanced degree preferred. 

• Minimum three years of disaster response, recovery, emergency management, or related experience with a strong preference for experience focused on mitigation, preparedness, and/or long-term recovery.

• Experience operating hand and power tools safely and effectively.

• Experience working independently and managing multiple priorities.

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Valid U.S. driver's license, clean driving record, ability to drive long distances, and able to pass a motor vehicle records review consistent with organizational insurance requirements.

• Ability to work from home office when not deployed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with disaster recovery organizations, AmeriCorps, VOADs, or emergency management agencies.

• Experience supervising staff, volunteers, or project teams.

• Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Knowledge of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery practices.

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

• Ability to work effectively in dynamic and rapidly changing environments.

• Ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders and community partners.

• Strong judgment, initiative, and problem-solving abilities.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and common cloud-based applications.

• Ability to work effectively in a remote work environment when not deployed.

Physical & Travel Requirements 

• Must be able to travel extensively throughout the United States as disaster response needs arise.

• Must be able to spend extended periods away from home during deployments.

• Ability to drive long distances in vans, pickup trucks, and rental vehicles.

• Ability to lift, carry, and move equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and disaster-affected environments.

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb, and perform physical tasks associated with disaster recovery operations.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary Range: $50,000 - $58,000 annually

Benefits:

• Medical insurance

• Dental insurance

• Life insurance

• Disability insurance

• Workers' compensation coverage

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• 401(k) retirement plan

• Fifteen (15) vacation days annually

• Ten (10) sick days annually

• Most federal and Jewish holidays (that take place on a weekday)

ELIGIBILITY

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require current or future sponsorship for employment authorization.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

NECHAMA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

How to apply: Email the following to jobs@nechama.org:  

• cover letter addressing interest and qualifications

• resume

• 3 references 

• salary expectations

• where you saw this job posted

• whether you are based in Minnesota or can move there

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.