Position Overview
Dougy Center is seeking a compassionate, collaborative, and skilled Grief Services Coordinator to join our Program team. This position plays an essential role in providing peer grief support to children, teens, young adults, and families who are grieving before and after a death.
The Grief Services Coordinator is responsible for planning and facilitating peer grief support groups, supporting volunteer facilitators, and creating welcoming, inclusive environments where participants can share their experiences and connect with others. This position also provides grief-related information and resources, supports volunteer training and community education, and contributes to projects and activities that further Dougy Center's mission.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead peer grief support groups for children, teens, young adults, and adult caregivers.
- Provide ongoing guidance, supervision, and support to volunteer facilitators, fostering a collaborative and supportive group environment.
- Build positive, trusting relationships with participants, families, and volunteers, creating a welcoming and inclusive experience for all.
- Communicate regularly with families and volunteers and maintain accurate group records, attendance, and related documentation.
- Respond to phone and email inquiries from individuals and families seeking grief support, providing information, resources, crisis response, and community referrals as appropriate.
- Assist with initial and ongoing volunteer facilitator training, recognition, and appreciation activities.
- Support participant and volunteer orientations at Dougy Center locations.
- Collaborate with Program team members to ensure continuity of services, including providing group coverage and additional program support as needed.
- Participate in community education and response activities, including introductory presentations about Dougy Center and support for local trainings.
- Contribute to special projects, agency events, and other activities that support Dougy Center's mission.
- Participate in regular supervision, team meetings, and professional development opportunities to strengthen knowledge and skills related to grief support.
Qualifications
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related human services field and an understanding of grief, loss, and bereavement are required.
- Three or more years of professional experience providing direct services to children, teens, adults, and/or families, preferably in a counseling, social services, grief support, or related setting.
- Experience with or demonstrated understanding of group dynamics and group facilitation, with a willingness and ability to develop skills in facilitating peer grief support groups.
- Demonstrated ability to build positive, trusting relationships with children, teens, adults, and individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
- Strong interpersonal skills and sound professional judgment, including the ability to navigate emotionally complex situations, respond thoughtfully to individual and group needs, and recognize when additional consultation or support is appropriate.
- Sensitivity to participant sharing, personal stories, and expressions of grief, with an ability to maintain confidentiality, appropriate professional boundaries, and respect for individual experiences.
- Ability to provide guidance, constructive feedback, and ongoing support to volunteer facilitators, fostering a collaborative, respectful, and supportive team environment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with warmth, empathy, clarity, and professionalism.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively, balancing direct service responsibilities, group preparation, documentation, and other program needs.
- Commitment to equitable and inclusive practices, including recognizing and helping address potential barriers to participation and adapting approaches to meet the diverse needs of children and families.
- Comfort learning and using databases and other technology to maintain accurate records and support program operations.
- Commitment to learning and practicing The Dougy Center Model and demonstrating the agency's values of respect, integrity, stewardship, and excellence.
- Ability to work both in person and remotely, supporting programming at our SE Portland and Beaverton locations with flexible hours, including evenings and occasional agency events.
To Apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter to our search consultant, Kathy Kniep, at kathy@kathykniep.com by November 20.