Job opportunity at NOD
August, 2005

Job Title: Program Assistant

Application Deadline: September 15, 2005

Department: Emergency Preparedness Initiative (EPI)

Reports To: Vice President and Director of the Partnership Programs and Chief of Staff and to the Director of the Emergency Preparedness Initiative (EPI) of the National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.)

Salary Range: 45-50K

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Duty Location: Washington, D.C.

Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00AM-5:30PM

General Statement of Duties

The Program Assistant position will integrate program elements of three internal N.O.D. programs: the Emergency Preparedness Initiative, Community Partnerships Program, and National Partnerships Program. The Program Assistant performs a variety of tasks related to the continued development of the National Organization on Disability’s Community Partnership Program (CPP), National Partnership Program (NPP) and the Emergency Preparedness Initiative (EPI. unique position will allow the candidate to interact with a variety of community-based organizations, disability advocacy groups, and emergency management personnel from field–level first responders to local, state, and Federal officials in both the emergency management arena, and the special needs community.

Examples of Work Duties: (includes but not limited to):

• Conducting research, literature reviews, and vendor-product reviews as they relate to emergency preparedness for people with disabilities
• Coordinating the EPI Scholarship Program and Accessible America Campaign including reviewing applications, recruiting members to the campaign program, developing mailing materials, arranging for the judging of applications and scheduling and organizing Award presentations
• Coordinating the Emergency Preparedness Initiative (EPI), Community Partnership Program (CPP) and National Partnership Program (NPP) including managing relationships with members of each group, processing membership renewals, developing membership E-newsletter, identifying content for the applicable sections of the N.O.D. website, internet research on member activity, maintaining records and files, developing reports on program activity and developing outreach materials for new member recruitment.
• Creating and maintaining professional database of emergency management officials, disability professionals, and other external persons and agencies, and organizations of assistance to EPI/CPP/NPP.
• Drafting letters, reports, technical memoranda; developing charts and graphics needed for EPI/CPP/NPP-related meetings, major conferences, planned campaigns; assists with the maintenance and annual review of numerous EPI/CPP/NPP projects.
• Attending committee meetings, conferences, workshops, and disaster drills/exercises throughout the year. Providing detailed after-action reports on all activities related to such attendance and participation.
• Assisting in identifying additional funding sources for emergency preparedness initiatives through competitive grant applications and alternative funding sources. Assists in grant proposal development and implementation of grant tasks.
• Maintaining computer, email, and hard copy files Screening calls as needed for Vice President/Chief of Staff and EPI Director Providing phone coverage for the organization as needed Greeting guests and visitors Making travel arrangements and handling other logistical issues for the Vice President/Chief of Staff, EPI Director, and other staff members as appropriate

Required Knowledge and Skills and Abilities (KSA):

Perquisites for this position include:

• Working knowledge of principles and practices of community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, emergency management planning, public administration, intergovernmental coordination, or related field.
• Candidate should have experience working with people with disabilities, community-based organizations, service providers, and volunteer agencies.
• The position requires the ability to work independently and a desire to continue professional development. Candidate must possess communications skills needed to address a range of audiences, with varying degrees of ability, educational levels, and subject-matter knowledge. Candidate should possess traits of dependability, teamwork and integrity. Candidate must also possess an ability to work independently, manage several projects simultaneously and within a time-sensitive environment.
• Candidate should have a basic understanding of statistics; knowledge of research methods and quantitative measures; ability to express ideas clearly and concisely; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, elected officials, public safety officials, and the general public.

Computer Knowledge:

Mandatory proficiency in the use of word processing, mail merge, spreadsheet-relational database software programs, and computer graphics, such as desktop publishing is required for this position. The candidate should be proficient in computer technology in order to produce presentable reports for publishing and/or visual aids for presentations to high-level audiences.

Acceptable Experience and Training:

The ideal candidate would hold and undergraduate degree in public service, human sciences, planning, public administration, government, emergency management, public safety or related field.

Related appropriate field or equivalent experience or training in a community-based organization or public safety-related employment, or a minimum of 2-3 years of experience in human services, field emergency medical services, social services, volunteer services or non-profit agencies may be considered to meet KSAs.

The range of responsibility/involvement in the above tasks and the educational background and experience level of the applicant will determine the salary.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Application Information:

Resume: indicating job experience, achievements, program involvement, length of service, dates of employment and supervisory contact name and number.

Three professional references and three character references. (Family members and current supervisors are ineligible for these reference requirements.).

A writing sample related to the following question: (Minimum three double-spaced type written pages, maximum five. If reference materials are used for this sample, please provide appropriate citations.)

How would you increase awareness of emergency preparedness for people with disabilities and how do you suggest person’s with disabilities become involved in emergency preparedness?

Submit complete application materials to:
Hilary Styron, Director
Emergency Preparedness Initiative
National Organization on Disability
910 Sixteenth Street, NW 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20006

No phone calls please. Incomplete application packages will not be considered. Initial interviews will be conducted over the phone. Selected candidates will then be invited to come for a personal interview at their own expense.

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