School-Based Bereavement Specialist

**Who We Are:** Companions on a Journey provides HOPE, STRENGTH and HEALING to children, teens, adults, and families throughout the Greater Cincinnati region. We provide ongoing and crisis grief support to those who experience the death of a loved one. Grief does not discriminate and neither do we. All are welcome here. **Job Summary:** The *School\-Based Bereavement Specialist* will support Companions on a Journey with our mission of bringing HOPE, STRENGTH, and HEALING to those who have experienced the death of a loved one. Through group facilitation, program development, project planning, and relationship management, the School\-Based Bereavement Specialist will be responsible for timely, professional, and caring support and communications to a variety of COJ’s stakeholders including bereaved children, teens, adults, and families, community partners, board members, donors, volunteers, and fellow staff. **Duties/ Responsibilities:** * **Facilitate/co\-facilitate bereavement group sessions** for children, teens, and families. Support adult group programming as requested * Serve as a **lead contact for assigned school\-based partnerships**, ensuring regular proactive communication regarding COJ activities and resources. Support School\-Based Program Manager with school\-based group scheduling. Provide communications support for new schools interested in launching COJ groups * Supports families, schools, children, and individuals during **crisis** through individual and group **grief support.** Assists with crisis support with local school districts as needed including acting as a resource for counselors, visiting schools or events during crisis, and otherwise meaningful tasks as needed * **Assess** and **provide referrals** for individuals who need more specialized care, to include working with other community resources and referral sources to coordinate services * **Provide short\-term individual, group, and family bereavement support** to clients of all ages as appropriate * **Assist the programming team** with the development of lesson plans \& assembly of materials for school\-based and Mending Hearts support groups * **Preparing for groups** by printing and gathering materials or otherwise ensuring all resources are ready to have a successful session and leave a positive impression * **Debrief** after each group session with co\-facilitators to put away materials, discuss interpretations and ways to improve * **Support grant** reporting and data collection as needed * Attend COJ’s **fundraising and non\-fundraising special events** as assigned ***Required Skills/Abilities:*** * Superior verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills * Self\-starter with a flexible mindset * Ability to collaborate with others * Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. * Proficiency with technology, prior experience with Canva, Google, and Jotform a plus * Excellent analytical, decision\-making, and problem\-solving skills ***Education and Experience:*** * Experience working with children and teenagers * Experience working with grief support * Experience leading groups * Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field ***Physical Requirements:*** * Prolonged periods of standing, sitting, and moving * Frequent travel to local schools, events and community establishments * Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at times with or without assistance ***Schedule:*** * Primarily day shift with minimal evening and weekend hours * Approximately 10\-15 hours per week during the school year with minimal summertime hours Pay: $21\.00 \- $25\.00 per hour Work Location: In person