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Disaster Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

AECOM is seeking Disaster Recovery Insurance Specialists to join our dynamic team. This is a contingent position, with deployment scheduled as work becomes available. In this role, you will provide ...

AECOM is seeking Disaster Recovery Insurance Specialists to join our dynamic team. This is a contingent position, with deployment scheduled as work becomes available. In this role, you will provide ...

AECOM is seeking Disaster Recovery Insurance Specialists to join our dynamic team. This is a contingent position, with deployment scheduled as work becomes available. In this role, you will provide ...

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Disaster information

See Kentucky salary details

$16

$36

$65

How much do disaster jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for disaster in Kentucky is $36.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.92 and $41.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are disaster management professionals?

Disaster management professionals are individuals trained to plan for, respond to, and recover from natural or human-made disasters. Their responsibilities include creating emergency response plans, coordinating relief efforts, assessing risks, and helping communities rebuild after crises. These professionals work for government agencies, non-profits, and private organizations to ensure effective disaster preparedness and response. They play a critical role in minimizing the impact of disasters on people, property, and the environment.

What is the difference between Disaster vs Emergency Management Specialist?

DisasterEmergency Management Specialist
Focuses on responding to and managing specific disaster events like hurricanes, earthquakes, or floods.Prepares for, coordinates, and manages overall emergency response plans and procedures.
Typically involved during or immediately after a disaster occurs.Works proactively to develop plans and training to prevent or mitigate future emergencies.
Requires knowledge of disaster response protocols and crisis management.Requires skills in planning, coordination, communication, and policy development.

Disaster and Emergency Management Specialist roles overlap in preparedness and response but differ in scope. Disasters are specific events requiring immediate action, while emergency management specialists focus on comprehensive planning and coordination to prevent or handle such events effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Disaster Recovery Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Disaster Recovery Specialist, you need expertise in risk assessment, business continuity planning, and IT infrastructure, often supported by a degree in information technology or a related field. Familiarity with disaster recovery tools, backup systems, and certifications like Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help professionals excel in high-pressure scenarios. These skills ensure organizations can quickly recover from disruptions and maintain critical operations during emergencies.

What are some common challenges faced by disaster response professionals, and how can applicants prepare for them?

Disaster response professionals often encounter high-pressure situations, unpredictable environments, and emotionally charged interactions with affected individuals. Applicants should be prepared to adapt quickly, maintain clear communication, and work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Building resilience, staying current with emergency protocols, and participating in regular training exercises can help candidates handle these challenges and perform effectively during disaster events.
What are the most commonly searched types of Disaster jobs in Kentucky? The most popular types of Disaster jobs in Kentucky are:
What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Disaster jobs? Cities in Kentucky with the most Disaster job openings:
Infographic showing various Disaster job openings in Kentucky as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,021 per year, or $36.1 per hour.
Community Disaster Program Specialist

Community Disaster Program Specialist

American Red Cross

Lexington, KY • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago


American Red Cross rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 280 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

475th of 710 rated non-profit organizations


Job description

Please use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox when accessing Candidate Home.
By joining the American Red Cross you will touch millions of lives every year and experience the greatness of the human spirit at its best. Are you ready to be part of the world's largest humanitarian network?
Join us-Where your Career is a Force for Good!
Job Description:
Joining the American Red Cross is like nothing else - it's as much something you feel as something you do. You become a vital part of the world's largest humanitarian network. Joining a team of welcoming individuals who are exceptional, yet unassuming. Diverse, yet uncompromising in unity. You grow your career within a movement that matters, where success is measured in people helped, communities made whole, and individuals equipped to never stop changing lives and situations for the better.
When you choose to be a force for good, you'll have mentors who empower your growth along a purposeful career path. You align your life's work with an ongoing mission that's bigger than all of us. As you care for others, you're cared for with competitive compensation and benefits. You join a community that respects who you are away from work as much as what you do while at work.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (Job Overview):
As a Community Disaster Program Specialist, you will guide, lead and support teams of trained volunteers to deliver comfort and care in times of disaster. You will also create and maintain a foundation of continuous and robust volunteer engagement using established processes and collaborating with volunteer services staff. You will work with volunteers to ensure that the communities you serve are ready to respond to disasters.
Join us in meeting the needs of continuous disaster response! Regional disaster employees are required to deploy to disaster relief operations outside of their region at a minimum of once a year. Deployments contribute to skill building, career development and exposure to different types of disasters. Allowances may be provided for personal circumstances and local response activity. Employees must meet all training and physical capacity requirements for deployment.
This position is not eligible for relocation assistance.
WHERE YOUR CAREER IS A FORCE FOR GOOD (Key Responsibilities):
Empower Volunteers: Facilitate and support a diverse volunteer team responsible for the implementation of volunteer-led disaster cycle services programming as well as ensure disaster cycle services are delivered in a rapid, accessible, and equitable manner, both culturally and linguistically, to meet the urgent, disaster-caused needs of our clients, with a focus on frontline communities.
Support the Program: Assist with the successful implementation of either specific disaster cycle services program activities, or a specific disaster cycle services function within an assigned geographic area.
Mission Capacity Building: Engage disaster volunteers who are the primary workforce, and representative of the communities they serve, both culturally and linguistically.
Engage Community: Support local efforts to prepare and mobilize communities and engage partners to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and emergencies.
Manage in a Matrix: Implement plans to meet assigned targets for volunteer engagement and volunteer-led Disaster Action Team response to local home fires or support specific function tasks within assigned geographic area.
Know Your Communities: Act as the local point of contact for partners and communities. Partner with local organizations and leaders supporting frontline communities and community resiliency before, during and after disasters.
Ready to Respond: Participate in disaster response operations in the region in alignment with the Disaster Cycle Services Concept of Operations, upon completion of training requirements.
WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED (Minimum Qualifications):
  • Education: Bachelor's degree required, or equivalent combination of education and related experience required.
  • Experience: Minimum 3 years of related experience.
  • A valid driver's license and a clean MVR.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
  • Ability to coordinate staff and volunteer activities.
  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
  • Proven record of accomplishment of collaboration with diverse groups and individual's representative of all the demographics of this community, managing multiple priorities, facilitation, problem solving, marketing, leadership, and partnership management.
  • Intermediate level proficiency with Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
  • Ability to work outside of regular duty hours including nights and weekends.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
  • Chapter-based positions: Geographic Community Disaster employees are expected to work daily in their assigned geographic area to engage and mobilize communities and support volunteers.
  • Regional positions: Regional leadership and functional employees are expected to work daily within their region's geographic area to provide leadership and functional support, engage and mobilize communities, and support volunteers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The work environment will consist of moderate noise (i.e. business offices with computers, phones and printers, light traffic). The employee must have the ability to work in a small cubicle and have the ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.
WHAT WILL GIVE YOU THE COMPETITIVE EDGE (Preferred Qualifications):
Served a volunteer in any organization.
Managed / Lead/ Directed volunteers in previous jobs.
Experience with Disaster Response or Emergency Management at Municipal, County or State level.
Experience Coordinating, leading or directing a team.
Someone with strong initiative.
Strong desire and ability to learn.
Must be flexible with responsibilities.
Willing to take on responsibilities beyond core job description as required.
Strong communication skills.
DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
BENEFITS FOR YOU:
As a mission-based organization, we believe our team needs great support to do great work. Our comprehensive package includes:
  • Medical, Dental Vision plans
  • Health Spending Accounts & Flexible Spending Accounts
  • PTO: Starting 15 days a year; based on FLSA status and tenure
  • Holidays: 11 paid holidays comprised of six core holidays and five floating holidays
  • 401K with 6% match
  • Paid Family Leave
  • Employee Assistance
  • Disability and Insurance: Short + Long Term
  • Service Awards and recognition

Apply now! Joining our team will provide you with the opportunity to
make your career a force for good!
The American Red Cross is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, San Diego Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and any other applicable state and local laws.
AmeriCorps, the federal agency that brings people together through service, and its partners - the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps Alums, National Peace Corps Association, and the Service Year Alliance - launched Employers of National Service to connect national service alumni with opportunities in the workforce. American Red Cross is proud to be an EONS partner and share our employment opportunities with the network of organizations.
Interested in Volunteering? Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to learn more, including our most-needed volunteer positions.
To view the EEOC Summary of Rights, click here: Summary of Rights

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