Volunteer Opportunities

Whether you're responding to disasters, teaching Health and Safety classes to the public, supporting our military service members and their families or working behind the scenes, you can be sure that the effort you put forth as a volunteer has a positive impact on your community.

Each position listed below requires successful completion of Red Cross Orientation, volunteer paperwork and the online background check. Learn more about how to get started by clicking here!

CHAPTER ADMINISTRATION

Call Center Representative
Provide quality customer service as you assist with course enrollment and general questions over the phone. Includes light data entry. Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
Time Commitment: Once per week; biggest needs are Monday – Friday, 12 – 5 p.m.
Additional Training: On-the-job training provided

Receptionist
Support daily operations at our front desk: course registration, point of sale, telephones, maintaining the store, greeting guests and more. Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
Time Commitment: Three-four hours per week during regular business hours
Additional Training: On-the-job training provided

Data Entry
Assist with entering course records from classes taught throughout the community.
Time Commitment: Three hours per week during regular business hours
Additional Training: On-the-job training provided

Mail Clerk
Sort mail and process donations alongside a paid employee.
Time Commitment: Monday or Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Additional Training: On-the-job training provided

DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

Public Information Officer (PIO)
Represent the American Red Cross to local media during times of disasters.
Time Commitment: Varies
Additional Training: Fulfilling Our Mission, Fundamentals of Disaster Public Affairs: The Local Response

HEALTH & SAFETY

Instructor
Teach the community valuable skills such as CPR/AED, First Aid and more at various locations throughout San Diego county.
Time Commitment: Flexible (weekends, weekdays and evenings)
Additional Training: Fundamentals of Instructor Training, Lay Responder Instructor Course; basic American Red Cross Adult and Child CPR/AED, Infant CPR and First Aid training strongly recommended

American Sign Language Interpreter
Assist as needed in our community classes. Must be fluent in ASL.
Time Commitment: On-call
Additional Training: Basic American Red Cross Adult and Child CPR/AED, Infant CPR and First Aid training strongly recommended

LOGISTICS

Warehouse Assistant
Help with general inventory maintenance including labeling, restocking and organizing supplies and retail inventory and transport materials as needed. Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
Time Commitment: Flexible during regular business hours
Additional Training: Logistics Overview, Logistics Simulation, Vehicle Workshop

Logistics Team Member, On-Call
Carry an emergency cell phone and assist with logistical needs as necessary during a disaster response.
Time Commitment: On-call
Additional Training: Logistics Overview, Logistics Simulation, Vehicle Workshop

Life Safety & Asset Protection
Provide environments that are as safe and secure as reasonably possible. Background in law enforcement, fire or military service strongly preferred.
Time Commitment: Two - four hours per week; on-call for disaster response
Training: Disaster Core Courses, plus specialty training as requested

SERVICE TO THE ARMED FORCES (SAF)

SAF Call Center Caseworker
Support our military service men and women by providing emergency communication and offering referrals and guidance through our 24/7 call center. Minimum age 21.
Time Commitment: Five hour shift at least twice per month
Additional Training: On-the-job training provided

Pre-Deployment Presenter
Brief departing service members and their families about available support services and explain how the Red Cross can assist them during the deployment.
Time Commitment: Flexible (weekends, weekdays and evenings)
Additional Training: On-the-job training provided

VA Medical Center Assistant
Help to provide a positive experience for veterans of all ages while they are at the VA by making appointment reminder calls, maintaining the children’s area, decorating for holidays and interacting with patients. Please note that this opportunity is located at the VA Medical Center in La Jolla.
Time Commitment: Flexible during regular business hours
Additional Training: VA Volunteer Orientation (also requires fingerprinting, TB test and possibly a second background check)

SPECIAL EVENTS

Click here to see a list of our current one-day volunteer opportunities!

YOUTH SERVICES

Red Cross Clubs (for volunteers 15 – 24 years old)
Create or join a high school or college service group to help the Red Cross fulfill its humanitarian mission! Participate in service projects that impact the community and the world. Projects include special events, fundraising, educating the community on disaster preparedness and more.
Time Commitment: Flexible (weekends, weekdays and evenings)
Additional Training: On-the-job training provided

DISASTER SERVICES

Disaster Action Team (DAT) Member, Day
Respond to local community disasters.
Time Commitment: On-call Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Additional Training: Disaster Core Courses and activity-specific training as required

Disaster Action Team (DAT) Member, Night
Respond to local community disasters.
Time Commitment: On-call Monday – Friday 6 p.m. – 8 a.m. and weekends
Additional Training: Disaster Core Courses and activity-specific training as required

Communications Team Member
Provide on-going communications with staff and volunteers on the field during a disaster.
Time Commitment: On-call
Additional Training: Disaster Core Courses and activity-specific training as required

Canteen Team Member
Provide food and hydration to emergency workers at disaster sites and displaced residents at shelters.
Time Commitment: On-call for one or several days per month
Additional Training: Disaster Core Courses, Vehicle Workshop and Canteen Workshop; recommended for Canteen Team Member, required for Canteen Driver

Canteen Inventory Assistant
Assist with restocking, labeling and managing inventory of response supplies at Headquarters and canteen vehicles throughout the county. Some lifting is required.
Time Commitment: One hour per week every two weeks during regular business hours
Additional Training: Disaster Core Courses and activity-specific training as required

Feeding Retainment Staff
Contact feeding staff to inform them of meetings, projects and special events, review rosters and training information and schedule special events.
Time commitment: Two - four hours per month
Additional Training: Disaster Core Courses and activity-specific training as required

Disaster Health Services Worker
Provide limited care and referrals within shelters. This position is only for healthcare professionals (MD, RN and PA) holding an active license.
Time Commitment: On-call; monthly meetings
Additional Training: Disaster Core Courses and activity-specific training as required

Disaster Mental Health Worker
Support the response department by providing mental health services for the clients and staff as needed.
Time Commitment: On-call; monthly meetings
Additional Training: Disaster Core Courses and activity-specific training as required

DSHR Administration Team Member
Administer disaster volunteer deployments to other parts of the country. Must commit to at least one year of volunteer service in this role.
Time Commitment: At least one – two days per week during regular business hours
Additional Training: Disaster Core Courses and activity-specific training as required

Shelter Team Member
Respond to local community disasters when American Red Cross opens a shelter.
Time Commitment: On-call for one or several days per month
Additional Training: Disaster Core Courses and activity-specific training as required

Shelter Survey Coordinator
Arrange for on-site surveys to be conducted at various pre-designated shelter facilities.
Time Commitment: Flexible during regular business hours
Additional Training: Disaster Core Courses and activity-specific training as required

Shelter Survey Assistant
Represent the American Red Cross as you conduct on-site surveys at pre-designated shelter facilities throughout the county to gather relevant information for disaster services.
Time Commitment: Flexible during regular business hours
Additional Training: Disaster Core Courses and activity-specific training as required

Staffing On-Call Coordinator
Call and schedule current response volunteers when a local disaster occurs.
Time Commitment: On-call one month per year
Additional Training: Disaster Core Courses and activity-specific training as required

Disaster Training Program Intern
Assist in the organization and maintenance of the disaster training program by scheduling and coordinating disaster classes, maintaining course database, facilitating courses and researching and developing presentations, workshops and exercises.
Time Commitment: 10 – 15 hours per week during regular business hours; some evenings/weekends
Additional Training: On-the-job training provided

Disaster Course Enrollment Assistant
Enter data submitted online into a database and send enrollment confirmation emails.
Time Commitment: At least one – two hours per week during regular business hours
Additional Training: On-the-job training provided

Geographical Resource Interface Project (GRIP) Team Member
Explore and improve mass care operations by means of utilizing tools, databases, maps and other technological resources. Background in IT, database management, graphic design, computer programming, organizational theory or geographical/mapping knowledge preferred.
Time Commitment: Flexible; monthly meetings
Additional Training: Disaster Core Courses and activity-specific training as required

Volunteer Re-Engagement Taskforce Member
Make follow-up calls to help us connect with individuals wishing to continue their volunteer service.
Time Commitment: Flexible during regular business hours
Additional Training: Disaster Core Courses and activity-specific training as required

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Coordinator
Renew MOUs with partner agencies by phone, email or fax.
Time Commitment: Flexible during regular business hours
Additional Training: Disaster Core Courses and activity-specific training as required

Response Center Enterprise Call Agent
Provide customer service for callers during a national disaster. Minimum age 21.
Time Commitment: On-call
Additional Training: On-the-job training provided

Each position listed requires successful completion of Red Cross Orientation, volunteer paperwork and the online background check. Learn more about how to get started by clicking here! Not the type of commitment you're looking for? Try our one-time volunteer opportunities or join our Reserve Volunteer program!