Archives for July 28, 2024

Natural and non-natural or human-induced disasters are commonplace worldwide. From hurricanes to wildfires, these devastating events negatively impact many people’s lives. However, with help from disaster restoration workers and service providers, they can restore properties and means of livelihood to usable conditions. 

What are disaster restoration services?

Disaster restoration services work to restore the property and other infrastructure destroyed by disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, fires, and other natural and non-natural disasters. They’re usually conducted by state-licensed restoration companies well-trained in repairing damage, fixing property, and clearing and cleaning up the after-effects of these disasters. 

Technicians do disaster restoration services with years of training and hands-on experience. This ensures all cleanup and repairs are done right. After a natural disaster, restoration firms visit the site to ascertain the extent of damage and start planning the restoration process. The first step is usually cleaning the area, removing all harmful debris, and then rebuilding and repairing commences.

How to prepare for a disaster restoration career

1. Consider your career path 

There are many roles you can take in disaster restoration. While preparing to work in this industry, decide what path you’d like to take, your specialty. An example of specialization is habitat restoration. There are also desk jobs available if you prefer the path of administration and support services. Once your entry point is figured out, you can map out how you intend to grow from one position to the other. 

2. Acquire training 

Although it’s possible to begin the job with no training and learn on the job, getting some training can help better prepare you for a role in disaster management. Some significant areas to acquire training in this industry are water, fire, and mold restoration. 

These are some of the most common types of property damages, whether you’ll be working on residential or commercial properties. Several courses are available to sharpen your skills, and having one or more under your belt can make you stand out from competing candidates.

3. Gain experience 

Finding an entry-level position is the first step to learning how things work in disaster restoration. Getting experience is usually relatively easy, and you’ll gain hands-on skills and watch seasoned professionals at work. Watching professionals execute repairs firsthand helps new candidates assimilate work processes and real-world skills. The job may be stressful with long hours, but it’s a gratifying career path for many. 

Training and education required to work in disaster restoration

To have a career in disaster restoration services or building restoration services, candidates must have at least completed education at the high school level with a diploma or equivalent. They may then take certification courses or an associate degree program in a related field, such as carpentry or maintenance to enhance their knowledge. 

Many workers in the industry begin by learning on the job. You’ll start as an observer or help with minor tasks like clearing debris. These tasks don’t require expertise or handling dangerous tools, so they’re an excellent way to enter the industry. While learning on the job, you’ll have to take some training to ensure you can handle tasks like using power tools. 

This training helps improve the skills you’ve learned on the job or choose a field of specialization. You may also need to sit for the Certified Restorer Prerequisite Course by National Restorers Organizations. It’s also important to verify the state requirements for disaster restoration workers where you’ll be working to ensure you’re not breaking any rules.

Disaster restoration services companies currently hiring

WSP

WSP is an AEC company established 130 years ago. The company is headquartered in the United States, with operations in multiple countries. WSP challenges itself by developing innovative solutions for societies that thrive. Its disaster management department has years of experience and different capabilities in emergency management, including preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation of natural disasters. 

Capabilities

• Preparedness training, exercises, and planning
• Disaster response 
• Hazard mitigation, resilience, and sustainability 
• Recovery through individual and public assistance 
• Economic and risk analyses
• Damage assessment
• Environmental cleanup
• Aid management and distribution
• Cost recovery

RegasGroup

RegasGroup is a family-owned environmental consulting firm located in San Francisco, California. The company’s specialty is comprehensive hazardous material assessments in residential and commercial properties. They pride themselves on using the latest technology to conduct inspections, allowing them to meet client demands. 

Services 

• Asbestos
• Bacteria 
• Mold 
• Lead
• Radon
• Silica 
• VOCs
• Soils
• Soot, char, and ash

SLS

Also known as SLSCO, SLS is a construction management and general contracting firm that provides various emergency and disaster response services. SLS is committed to delivering its clients the highest levels of excellence and integrity. The firm has been operating for twenty-seven years and works in private and governmental industries in the United States and worldwide. 

Services 

• Man camps and base camps 
• Emergency services 
• Rapid repair housing 
• Responder housing 
• field hospitals 
• Emergency sheltering 
• Emergency feeding

Aptim

Aptim is a construction firm located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They provide critical infrastructure, support first responders in disaster restoration, and create sustainable communities. They champion clean energy and provide their services to government, industrial, and commercial customers.

Services

• Critical infrastructure 
• Resilience 
• Environmental 
• Technical and data solutions 
• Program management 
• Sustainability and energy solutions  

Tidal Basin Group

Tidal Basin is a preparedness and disaster recovery firm located in New York. Their team of experts provides their services and the company’s unmatched resources to communities, governments, and businesses. Tidal Basin uses Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants to provide emergency response, recovery, and mitigation. They’ve actively participated in restoration services after major disasters in North America, using their resources and solutions to maximize recovery. 

Services 

• Disaster software solutions 
• Grant management 
• Preparedness 
• Risk consulting 
• Disaster recovery

Certis Solutions: Work with a technical staffing agency 

A technical staffing agency can help you begin your career in disaster restoration services. Certis Solutions is skilled at making our clients stand out to employers. We’ll review your resume and qualification to ensure you’re matched with the right jobs in our database. Contact us today to get started.

Emergency management and restoration services jobs are on the rise in California. Although working in this industry can be challenging, it can also be rewarding if you’re passionate about it. This job is the right fit for you if you’re hardworking, can work in a fast-paced environment, and enjoy working on teams. 

As with most jobs, you’ll need a resume when applying to work in emergency management and restoration services. A good resume will help you stand out from the competition and other people applying for the same position. A well-constructed resume can make all the difference, even if you don’t have any relevant experience and are just entering the field. Learn how to build the perfect resume to launch your career. 

Emergency management and restoration opportunities in California 

California is prone to earthquakes, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters as it has many active fault lines, dry grounds, and drought conditions. California has dealt with more than 300 catastrophic disasters between 1953 and 2019, primarily floods, mudslides, and wildfires. This means there’s a constant need for emergency restoration workers to assist with cleanup and restoring structures to their livable states. There are no solutions for natural disasters besides minimizing their impact, which is where emergency services come in. 

Quality resume construction for emergency restoration 

Here are a few things to consider when building your resume for emergency restoration services. 

1. Match up your skills

Look to the job description to identify the skills the employer is looking for. This will help determine which skills to add to your resume (if you have them of course) and increase your chances of getting the job. Some of the most common skills are: 

• Strong sense of ethics
• Communication (both verbal and written)
• Demolition and extractions 
• Proficient with heavy equipment and/or hand tools 
• Plumbing and water extraction 
• Customer service skills
• Debris removal 

2. Include your qualifications 

Most emergency management and restoration services roles involve learning on the job, and you can sometimes start working with no qualifications. However, some positions may have requirements for that specific job. Most employers will also prefer you have at least a high school diploma or GED. Ensure you include assets that make you the right candidate, such as any certifications you have (some are free and can be found online). You can also include attributes, such as your level of physical fitness, willing to work long hours, and ability to lift heavy objects.

3. Include relevant experience

Using what the job responsibilities are can help guide what experience you include in your resume. Include relevant information that matches the employer’s requirements. It can be something other than professional. Include neighborhood cleanups, volunteer activities, and any routine tasks you engage in daily that present you as an asset. Any prior emergency management or disaster recovery work should be listed, including any FEMA or USACE projects. 

Hiring for emergency management and restoration

The following companies are currently hiring for emergency management and restoration services jobs in California.

Critical Control Restoration

Critical Control is an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certified firm in Petaluma, California. They’re hiring a fire and water restoration technician to join their team and help restore homes after they’ve been affected by disasters. The company has a reputation for handling the most demanding and challenging cleanups. You can find the job posting here.

Their services include: 

• Restoration services for fire, smoke, mold, and water damage 
• Demolition services 
• Cleanup/board up 

Superior Restoration 

Superior Restoration is a mold removal, water, and fire damage restoration service located in Carlsbad, California. They provide round-the-clock disaster restoration using the latest techniques and equipment. The company was founded in 1995 and has serviced the county of San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino since then. You can find their job posting for a water damage restoration lead technician here.

Some of their services include: 

• Water damage restoration 
• Sewage damage and drain backup
• Mold remediation 
• Fire damage restoration
• Leak detection 

Advanced Restoration

Advanced Restoration is a restoration services company located in San Jose, California. The company works to restore its clients’ lives to order through a seamless process. Advanced Restoration is hiring a water and fire restoration technician. You can find their current job openings on their careers page.

Some of their services include: 

• Structural drying 
• Fire and smoke damage cleanup
• Sewage cleanup
• Structural cleaning 
• Mold inspections, remediation, and removal 
• Water extraction

Finding your dream job is easy with help from Certis Solutions. Our team of experts works with you to build the perfect resume to get your desired role in emergency management, restoration, and disaster recovery services. Contact us today to get started.