Job Title: Community Outreach Coordinator (Temporary Assignment/PT)

Reports to: Project Director

Basic Function:

Works with the Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group (OCLTRG) leadership and volunteer committees (i.e. Case Management, Unmet Needs, Volunteer Management and donations) to assist the Ocean County community in its recovery from a disaster.  The Community Outreach Coordinator must network with key constituencies within the assigned region and continuously develop new ways to increase the community’s awareness of OCLTRG and the recovery resources available to households through OCLTRG.  The Community Outreach Coordinator may be the first point of contact for households impacted by disaster and therefore must be able to communicate well, share information, collaborate and coordinate activities with other OCLTRG staff.  Their primary purposes are to have a high-touch presence at key locations where households might seek help, provide information about the LTRG to these households, and where applicable, complete a simple initial intake/exchange of information with households that express a need for help.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Continuously explore and develop new ways to increase community awareness of Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group (OCLTRG).

• Attend all key community meetings in assigned region to inform the community of OCLTRG resources and distribute OCLTRG information to attendees, including but not limited to,

–       All local Government Council, Planning Board and other key municipal meetings

–       Governor’s Mobile Cabinet Meetings

–       School Board, Superintendent and PTO Meetings

–       Chamber of Commerce Meetings/Expos

–       Food Pantry/Emergency Relief Sites (with a focus on high-volume locations)

–       All Faith-Based Organizations (including staffing informational tables at worship services)

–       Local Business Association Meetings

–       Service Club Meetings (Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.)

• Create distribution pathways in assigned region for resource information (signs, posters, postcards, brochures) at sites including:

–       All Local Governments

–       Local Schools

–       Chambers of Commerce

–       Food Pantry/Emergency Relief Sites (with a focus on high-volume locations)

–       All Faith-Based Organizations (Including informational tables at worship services)

–       Local Businesses

–       Service Clubs and Organizations

• Complete program reports as directed.
• Develop and maintain supportive contact with target populations and community organizations serving these populations.
• Maintain professional and open communication with management and other OCLTRG staff.
• Share intake information with Disaster Case Managers and collaborate and coordinate activities with other OCLTRG staff.

Qualifications:

• Flexible hours including evenings and weekends is required.
• College level coursework in Human Services, Social Services, or other field that specifically relates to the position.
• High level of proficiency with MS programs such as Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Access.
• Experience and expertise using electronic media.
• Highly effective oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills; attention to details and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, manage own workload and prioritize multiple tasks; proactive.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse population
• Knowledge of Ocean County and its community resources.

REMINDER

The Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group General Meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, March 6, 2014, 10:00 am at the Toms River ELKS located at 600 Washington Street, Toms River.

SWEENEY TO CONDUCT ‘SANDY BILL OF RIGHTS’ TOUR

Will Bring Attention To Those Still Needing Help 15 Months Later

TRENTON – Promising to bring greater attention to the victims of Superstorm Sandy and their needs, Senate President Steve Sweeney today announced that he will launch a “Sandy Bill of Rights” tour. This tour will consist of stops to some of the hardest hit areas of the state, including Perth Amboy, Toms River and Moonachie.

“There are still too many people who have yet to fully recover from the devastation of Sandy,” said Sweeney. “By allowing them to tell their stories, we highlight why a ‘Sandy Bill of Rights’ is necessary. As we will see, people have been denied aid for no reason, or have no idea where they stand on a waiting list. That is unacceptable and must change.”

Senate President Sweeney will first stop in Perth Amboy on February 19th, followed by Toms River on February 21st and Moonachie on February 22nd. The exact locations and times will be announced in the coming days. Stops will include stories from those impacted as well as visits to hard hit locations.

Last week, the Senate President introduced his “Sandy Bill of Rights’ legislation. The bill would do several things, including requiring a plain language explanation of what is needed to be eligible and to apply for Sandy recovery programs; the right to know where your relief application stands and what additional information is needed; the right to know why your application was rejected or why you were placed on a waiting list and the right to appeal a denial of funding.

Recent media accounts and advocacy groups have reported various problems in the Sandy aid process. For example, some families were being told they would lose their aid for failure to provide certain documents, while others were given no such ultimatum. In other instances, numbers show that funding has been denied at higher rates for African American and Latino residents despite being equally hard hit by the storm.

A *significant number* of victims told *a series of legislative committees* that a state contractor responsible for getting people back in their homes had repeatedly lost their applications and often couldn’t answer the most basic of questions. The Christie administration quietly cancelled the contract with this firm, and state officials have said little about how they will proceed with this critical task.

Join Governor Chris Christie Tomorrow in Stafford Township (Ocean County)

 Wednesday, January 8, 2014

OCEAN COUNTY

 WHO:               Governor Chris Christie

 WHAT:             Sandy Housing Recovery Milestone Announcement with Homeowners

 WHERE:           Stafford Township Volunteer Fire Company #1, 133 Stafford Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ

Invites you to attend our General Public Meeting to Kick Off the New Year!

Come Meet Our New Director, Sue Marticek

Join Us In Discussion On Moving Forward Together

Collectively We Can Truly Help Make 2014 A Happy New Year For Our Friends, Family & Neighbors of Ocean County Still Recovering From Superstorm Sandy

January 9th at 10:00 am

Toms River Elks,   600 Washington Street,  Toms River, NJ

OCLTRG is Growing and Hiring!

Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group is currently recruiting for a Construction Manager/Appraiser (FT) and a Construction Assistant (FT).  If you or someone you know has experience in the construction industry and also has a desire to be a part of Ocean County’s recovery from Superstorm Sandy consider joining our team.

Construction Manager/Appraiser – responsible for overseeing repair/rebuild of client homes, within code and scope of LTRG guidelines.  Duties include inspections, appraisals, estimates of labor and materials; cultivate donor relationships; and manage volunteers, contractors and inspectors to complete projects within budget and time frame requirements.  Minimum of 5 years in general construction; knowledge of plumbing, electrical and HVAC; experience supervising construction projects to ensure compliance with building codes and safe, quality workmanship.

Construction Assistant – responsible for assisting construction manager with repair/rebuild of disaster affected homes, within code and LTRG guidelines.  Duties include inspections, appraisals, estimates of labor and materials, coordination with volunteer labor, reports, and ordering and managing site and project materials.  Minimum of 3 years in general construction, knowledge in plumbing, electric and HVAC, and basic knowledge of UCC and ICC building codes.

OCLTRG Welcomes Susan Marticek, Project Director and Congratulates Bridget Holmes on Her Appointment as Assistant Project Director/Case Management.

We are delighted to announce the appointments of two key staff that will lead OCLTRG’s Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts in Ocean County.  Susan Marticek of Bayville has been appointed Project Director and Bridget Holmes of Brick has been appointed Assistant Project Director/Case Management.

Susan has worked in the field of Emergency/Disaster Management for over 13 years and many of us know her as Ocean County’s FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaison charged with the responsibility of helping our county to create a Long Term Recovery Group uniting recovery resources with community and household needs.  She previously held posts at the American Red Cross and worked as a FEMA Volunteer Agency Liaison in New Jersey for Hurricane Irene.  Susan holds a Master of Public Administration in Emergency and Disaster Management from the Metropolitan College of New York.

Bridget has let OCLTRG’s six-member Disaster Case Management team from day one and working in partnership with other community organizations, helped create OCLTRG’s framework for serving households with unmet needs.  Bridget is a graduate of Loyola College and holds a Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling from the University of San Diego.

We welcome Sue and congratulate and thank Bridget for her efforts in leading Ocean County’s recovery thus far.

The following toy drive has been extended to Friday, December 13, 2013.  Please consider participating.

OCLTRG Partners with Turton Toy Drive for Sandy Survivors.