Division Director – Disaster Response

Catholic Charities of Acadiana; Scott (LA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Vision insurance

Job summary

Catholic Charities of Acadiana seeks an experienced Division Director of Disaster Response to lead preparedness, response, and long‑term recovery across the Diocese of Lafayette and nearby communities. You will direct field operations, supervise staff and volunteers, and build partnerships with agencies and churches.

The role requires calm, decisive leadership under pressure, compliance with safety standards, and hands‑on coordination of disaster projects, client intake, reporting, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or technical training with 2+ years in disaster operations
• Experience leading disaster response, emergency management, or recovery projects preferred
• Ability to travel and respond to disasters outside normal hours, including evenings and weekends

Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of disaster response, including preparedness, emergency response, damage assessment, relief and long-term recovery
• Oversee equipment, vehicles, tools, and resources to ensure disaster readiness
• Coordinate with Emergency Operations Centers and partners before, during, and after events
• Deploy to disaster areas to coordinate response and recovery activities
• Supervise Disaster Response staff and provide coaching and performance feedback

Skills

Disaster leadership

Operations management

Staff supervision

Partnership development

Education

Bachelor's in Emergency Management

Public administration

Tools

Airtable

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

PM software

Job description

Summary

Catholic Charities of Acadiana is seeking an experienced, compassionate, and mission-driven Division Director of Disaster Response to lead our disaster preparedness, response, and long-term recovery efforts throughout the Diocese of Lafayette and beyond. This leadership role is responsible for coordinating every phase of disaster operations—from preparing before storms strike to helping families rebuild long after the immediate crisis has passed. The Division Director provides strategic leadership while remaining actively engaged in field operations, overseeing recovery projects, supervising staff, managing volunteers, and building strong partnerships with government agencies, churches, nonprofits, and community organizations. This position requires a calm, decisive leader who can navigate rapidly changing situations, support individuals and families experiencing crisis, and inspire others through service. If you are passionate about disaster recovery, thrive in fast-paced environments, and want to make a lasting impact in the communities we serve, we encourage you to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of disaster response, including preparedness, emergency response, damage assessment, relief operations, and long-term recovery efforts
• Maintain disaster readiness by overseeing equipment, trailers, vehicles, tools, and emergency response resources
• Coordinate with Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) before, during, and after disaster events
• Deploy to disaster-affected areas within and beyond the Diocese of Lafayette as needed to coordinate response and recovery activities
• Supervise Disaster Response staff, including the Disaster Response Coordinator and Disaster Case Manager, providing leadership, coaching, and performance management
• Oversee client intake, home assessments, case prioritization, and referrals while ensuring timely, compassionate service delivery
• Coordinate case conferencing with municipal agencies, nonprofit partners, and community organizations to address complex client needs
• Ensure accurate documentation and reporting within Airtable, Salesforce, and other required data management systems
• Oversee volunteer construction projects and ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with quality standards
• Manage home repair and reconstruction projects, providing hands‑on construction support when necessary
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with FEMA, GOHSEP/OHSEP, Catholic Charities USA, VOAD partners, local governments, churches, contractors, and community organizations
• Represent Catholic Charities of Acadiana at disaster response meetings, recovery coalitions, and community planning efforts
• Prepare reports, monitor project progress, and communicate updates through established organizational channels
• Utilize Microsoft Teams, project management systems, and organizational software to coordinate operations and monitor recovery activities
• Maintain a clean, organized, and professional work environment while ensuring compliance with organizational safety standards
• Perform other duties as assigned

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Construction Management, Public Administration, Human Services, or a related field, and/or trade school or technical training with at least two years of professional experience
• Experience leading disaster response, emergency management, construction, recovery, or related operations preferred
• Experience responding to at least two major natural disasters preferred
• Construction knowledge with the ability to oversee residential repair and rebuilding projects preferred
• Strong leadership, organizational, project management, and decision‑making skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively engage survivors, volunteers, church leadership, government agencies, contractors, donors, and community partners
• Ability to remain calm, organized, and adaptable while working in rapidly changing, high‑pressure environments
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Airtable, Salesforce, and project management software
• Compassionate, client‑centered approach with the ability to support individuals and families experiencing crisis
• Forklift certification or willingness to obtain certification
• Ability to travel throughout the service area and respond to disasters outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended deployments as needed

Job Specifications

• Heavy: Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Medium Work.
• Job Type: Full-time
• Benefits:
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Retirement plan
  • Vision insurance