Position Title: Disaster Response Services Program Manager
Department: Disaster Response Services (DRS)
Reports to: DRS Director
Location: Byron Center, MI (On-Site)
Status: Full-time, Salaried (36-hour workweek)
Salary Level: J
USD: $80,649 - $90,730
PURPOSE
The Disaster Response Service Program Manager plays a key role in coordinating World Renew's three-week volunteer reconstruction program serving disaster-affected communities across North America. This position ensures effective volunteer deployment, fosters strong relationships with churches and community partners, and supports both long-term recovery and capacity-building initiatives.
This role serves as a bridge between sending partners and local disaster recovery partners, enabling impactful volunteer engagement and sustainable recovery outcomes. The Program Manager supervises the Volunteer Program Administrative Assistant and collaborates closely with the DRS Director and Program Management Team to advance World Renew's mission in disaster response.
Volunteer Group Program Oversight (Long-Term Recovery)
- Recruit, train, and support volunteer leadership teams to oversee all aspects of DRS three-week reconstruction sites.
- Collaborate with partners to plan volunteer deployments, ensuring logistics, training, and safety protocols are in place.
- Maintain and update volunteer orientation materials and program tracking systems.
- Ensure a high-quality volunteer experience through clear communication and ongoing support.
- Recruit, orient, and deploy volunteer teams (individuals and couples) to serve in 2-3 week assignments.
Unmet Needs Assessment Program (Capacity Building)
- Coordinate short-term Unmet Needs Assessment deployments in collaboration with local Long-Term Recovery Groups (LTGs), DRS staff, and volunteer leadership
- Mobilize skilled volunteer teams and manage communications and logistics for timely deployment
Partnership Building and External Engagement
- Represent World Renew at VOAD, denominational gatherings, and public forums
- Build and maintain partnerships with faith-based organizations, academic institutions, and emergency response networks
Risk Management, Safeguarding, and Program Standards
- Promote and uphold safety and safeguarding standards for all volunteers and partners
- Ensure compliance with Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and World Renew safeguarding policies
Team Leadership and Internal Collaboration
- Supervise the Volunteer Program Administrative Assistant
- Contribute to the DRS Program Management Team
- Support cross-functional collaboration across departments
- Foster a positive team culture by nurturing morale and spiritual well-being, demonstrating sound judgement, grace, and servant leadership
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree required; preferred fields include Disaster Management, Ministry, Nonprofit Leadership, or related field of study
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in volunteer coordination, program management, or project management
- Experience coordinating field logistics (e.g., travel, housing, safety protocols)
- Active Christian faith and ability to affirm World Renew's Statement of Faith
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills across diverse audiences
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and volunteer management system
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% within the U.S. and Canada
- Knowledge of safeguarding principles and risk management practices
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Familiarity with disaster response systems (e.g., VOAD, FEMA protocols, Core Humanitarian Standards)
- Experience with faith-based organizations or service-learning programs
- Basic knowledge of construction/home repair
- Extended periods of computer work, reading, and sitting
- Occasional setup of training environments using equipment such as easels, projectors, and presentation tools
- Travel required based on program needs; may include periodic and occasional short-notice travel
- Computer work and concentrated reading, sitting for long periods of time
- Setting up training sites with education process equipment and methods (including for example easels, projectors, PowerPoint and so forth
WORK ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICAL AND OTHER DEMANDS
The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
This position requires:
- Extended periods of computer work, reading, and sitting
- Occasional setup of training environments using equipment such as easels, projectors, and presentation tools
- Travel required based on program needs; may include periodic and occasional short-notice travel
- Computer work and concentrated reading, sitting for long periods of time
- Setting up training sites with education process equipment and methods (including for example easels, projectors, PowerPoint and so forth
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
World Renew requires permanent work authorization at time of hire. With World Renew's commitment to Core Humanitarian Standard and Safeguarding responsibilities, as part of the recruitment process, a successful candidate can expect to go through a thorough background check. Please note that the tentative application deadline for this position will be EOD May 11, 2026 for External Applicants and Internal Applicants, closing date depending on application volume. We encourage all interested candidates to apply before this deadline as we move candidates through our hiring process on a continuous basis