Title: Domestic Emergency Response Unit - Technician

Employee Working Location: In-person

Employment Status: Casual

The Canadian Red Cross (Red Cross) - an inspirational not for profit organization, helps people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and supports them in strengthening their resilience. As a Canada's Best Employers 2024, we are committed to having an accessible, diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free work environment.

The Domestic Emergency Response Unit (D-ERU) Technician is responsible for ensuring the readiness, deployment, and maintenance of specialized emergency response equipment and supplies. This role supports rapid and effective humanitarian response by managing logistics, providing technical support in the field, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. Working closely with response teams, the D-ERU Technician plays a key role in equipment preparedness, deployment coordination, and on-site operational support to facilitate emergency relief efforts.

In this role, you will :

• Maintain, inspect, and repair emergency response equipment, ensuring all tools, vehicles, and supplies are operational.
• Prepare and deploy domestic emergency response units (D-ERUs) equipment, ensuring they are fully stocked with essential supplies and resources.
• Facilitate the reception of the equipment, and its storage in the operation when required.
• Track and manage inventory of emergency response equipment, coordinating replenishment as needed.
• Ensure and maintain a safe working environment for the CRC personnel, clients, partners and visitors and ensure compliance with safety regulations when handling and transporting hazardous materials or emergency supplies.
• Assist in setting up and dismantling D-ERU in disaster-affected areas including set-up of tents, generator, HVAC systems, filters, installation of the electrical system, lighting system and other equipment as relevant.
• Setup and maintenance of the IT/Telecom system as needed.
• Provide on-site technical support for equipment operation and troubleshooting during deployments.
• Collaborate with response teams, logistics personnel, and external partners to ensure efficient setup and execution of emergency response operations.
• Ensure that procurement supporting the operation is done on time (i.e. water, fuel, construction materials) in coordination with site logistics where applicable
• Conduct or participate in training exercises to ensure readiness for emergency deployments.
• Train personnel on the proper use, maintenance, and safety protocols for emergency response equipment.
• Work closely with emergency response managers to assess equipment needs and operational priorities.
• Maintain detailed records and reports on equipment status, maintenance logs, and deployment activities.
• Support administrative tasks, such as procurement and logistics planning for emergency response efforts.
• Ensure adherence to health and safety protocols, including personal protective equipment (PPE) use and sanitation guidelines.
• Monitor environmental conditions and adjust response strategies as needed to maintain safety standards.
• Assist in risk assessment and mitigation planning for response operations

What we are looking for:

• Qualifications include a minimum of 2-4 years of experience and a 3-year college diploma in carpentry, electricity, HVAC, and tent structures or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Technical certifications or professional designations such as Certified Electrician in province of residence or being certified in Canada in the applicable skill (carpentry, HVAC etc) and the ability to adapt knowledge and practices to varying situations or equipment will be an asset.
• Ability to operate, service and maintain 110/220v electrical systems, including single or tri-phase generator and associated power distribution system
• Ability to identify, investigate and analyze problems, identify root causes and risks, and apply technical, functional and organizational knowledge to develop solutions.
• Communication skills, diplomacy and empathy to interpret information and deliver advice, clarify client or stakeholder needs, offer solutions, and resolve escalations in new or somewhat sensitive situations.
• Strong understanding of equipment maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of logistics, warehousing, and supply chain management.
• Ability to operate and maintain vehicles, generators, communication systems, and emergency response tools.
• Familiarity with health and safety regulations, risk management, and field security protocols.
• Adaptability and flexibility to work in remote, unstable, or disaster-affected areas.
• Valid driver's license - class 5 or higher (manual peferred) and Forklift Driving license an asset (or provided by CRC)
• Ability to adapt to frequent and often urgent changes in priorities, and make decisions under pressure, work at an unpredictable pace.
• Fluency in English is required, French is an asset.
• Ability to adapt to frequent and often urgent changes in priorities, and make decisions under pressure, work at an unpredictable pace.

Working Conditions:

• As we work with and support people (managers, colleagues, beneficiaries/customers, volunteers, donors and external partners) and communities in Canada and around the world, applicants whose first language is not English may be required to perform the responsibilities of the role in English.

• Eligibility to work in Canada: At this time , we welcome applications from candidates eligible to work in Canada. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, we encourage you to carefully review your visa to find out whether you are eligible to work in the job you are considering applying for. Refer to our FAQ for more information.

• If you are selected for this role, you will be required to complete a successful pre-employment screening process which includes a satisfactory Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC).