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Respond & Rebuild Field Team Leader Internship

RESPOND & REBUILD is looking for some Field Team Leader (FTL) interns to assist in our post-Sandy recovery efforts in the Rockaways, a heavily impacted region of Queens, New York City. RESPOND & REBUILD is a young volunteer-driven disaster response organization, formed in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Since Hurricane Sandy, we’ve worked in well over 150 homes in the Rockaways; completed more than 250 different jobs; and safely trained and put to work thousands of volunteers from all over the United States, ranging from Alaska to New York and all points in between.

We strive to provide top quality work to homeowners through each step of the recovery process — mucking, gutting, demolition, mold remediation, and rebuilding. Compassion, safety, education, and efficiency are values imbued in every aspect of our organization.

Our ideal candidates are motivated, energetic, and passionate about helping disaster-affected communities. Your primary responsibility will be to train, supervise, and work alongside teams of volunteers — experienced and inexperienced alike. RESPOND & REBUILD engages in a wide variety of work, from deconstruction of flood-damaged homes to mold remediation to rebuilding. We’ll train you first, and you’ll train and lead volunteer teams in the field.

Be prepared to get your hands dirty! It’s not glamorous work, but we guarantee that you’ll often leave work smiling and satisfied at the end of the day. You’ll gain a diverse and valuable skill set; meet interesting people from all walks of life; hear countless uplifting and heartbreaking stories; and positively impact the lives of those recovering from Hurricane Sandy’s devastation.

The RESPOND & REBUILD Field Team Leader internship is an excellent opportunity to get on board with a brand-new, young, and energetic disaster relief organization. Thanks for considering us — we look forward to hearing from you!

DAILY RESPONSIBILITIES

Before heading to the jobsite

  • Check in with R&R staff for a job assignment and briefing.
  • Ensure that team members all have appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), water, and lunch.
  • Brief all team members on the day’s work.
  • Assemble and inventory tool kit.
  • Depart for work in a timely manner.

On the job site

  • Supervise and train volunteers in demolition, gutting, mold remediation, and basic construction (R&R staff will first thoroughly train you in all relevant work practices).
  • Demonstrate safe & proper tool usage.
  • Identify volunteer strengths and delegate work accordingly.
  • Ensure safe and efficient work practices and quality workmanship.
  • Interact compassionately with the homeowner and answer any questions they might have regarding work practices.

Upon returning from work

  • Check in all tools according to the morning’s inventory and inform R&R staff of any missing or broken tools.
  • Ensure that team members have cleaned and returned any borrowed PPE.
  • Inform R&R staff of work completed, work to be done, and any new worksite developments or issues.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Enthusiasm and a positive attitude.
  • Ability and willingness to interact with people from all walks of life.
  • Patience and a good sense of humor.
  • Availability from 9AM until 5PM at minimum two days per week for at least eight weeks, three days per week for six weeks, or four days per week for four weeks.
  • Leadership experience in a related field.
  • Driver’s license and a clean driving record.
  • A burning desire to help people.
  • Familiarity with proper usage and maintenance of basic hand and power tools (e.g. hammer, flat bar, crowbar, screw gun, circular saw, reciprocating saw).
  • Ability to supervise and train volunteers in tool usage and safe work practices.
  • Adaptability to a dynamic workplace environment.
  • Good communication skills.
  • Basic computer skills.