Job Opportunities

Looking for a career in childhood bereavement? Here are current job opportunities available at NACG & Member Organizations.

Executive Director at Empower. (Remote). Full-Time. 

Position Overview

Empower is an international nonprofit on a mission to empower, support, and connect children and young adults up through age 24 who have experienced the loss of a parent. The inaugural Executive Director (ED) will build on Empower’s strong reputation and expertise in leading the only mentor program in the world for kids in grief as well as longstanding support from a wide variety of partners and funders, and help chart a course for growth and expansion. The ED will oversee both the US and UK entities, sitting on the board in both locations. Currently, the staff includes 3 full-time employees: the CEO & Founder, who is a member of the Board of Directors, one VP of Operations, and one Director of Strategic Partnerships. The Executive Director will supervise the VP of Operations and Director of Strategic Partnerships as well as a part-time Executive Assistant and part-time Program Manager.

Learn more about the organization by visiting the website: Empower — Parent Loss Youth Mentoring & Activities (weareempower.org)

How to Apply:

Molly Brennan and Sarah Avendaño of Koya Partners have been exclusively retained for this search. Please submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile.

Executive Director at Center for Grieving Children (CGC). (Portland and Sanford, ME). Full-Time. 

Position Overview

The Center for Grieving Children (CGC) is seeking a dynamic and compassionate Executive Director to lead the organization and support their mission of fostering healing and resilience in the face of grief. With locations in Portland and Sanford, Maine, the CGC is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a safe space, loving peer support, outreach, and education to grieving children, teens, families, and the community.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

As the Executive Director, you will be responsible for providing organizational leadership, supervision, and governance to ensure the effective delivery of CGC’s programs. Your key responsibilities include:

  • Providing oversight of CGC’s programs, operations, volunteer network, and major functions.
  • Supervising the Leadership Team and Office Manager and guiding them to achieve organizational goals.
  • Collaborating with the Board of Directors and ensuring effective communication with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Actively participating in fundraising efforts, cultivating partnerships, and raising awareness of CGC within the community, locally, regionally, and nationally.
  • Overseeing the strategic planning process and working with the leadership team to develop yearly operating plans.
  • Collaborating with the Finance Committee to review and update funding forecasts, ensuring budget health, and overseeing the audit process.
  • Exploring and maintaining partnerships with community providers and ensuring effective relationships with key partners.
  • Ensuring that facilities and technology plans are in place and aligned with organizational needs.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in business administration with proven experience in a leadership role of a mission-driven organization.
  • Demonstrated awareness of the importance of supporting children and families experiencing grief.
  • Fiscal acumen with experience working with an active board of directors.
  • Excellent public speaking skills with the ability to prioritize activities, collaborate with others, work well under pressure, and maintain an open mind, positive attitude, and confidence.
  • Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and meet job performance measures with minimal oversight.
  • Strong supervisory, leadership, and communication skills with the ability to develop and communicate the organization’s mission and vision.
  • Technical knowledge of systems such as Microsoft Suite and database management. Experience with Raiser’s Edge is a plus.
  • Valid Maine Driver’s License.
  • Must be able to work flexible hours with travel as needed to meet business needs and demands.

How to Apply:

If you are passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of grieving children and families, we invite you to apply for the position of Executive Director. Please submit your resume to Recruiting@CMACareer.com.

L.Y.G.H.T. Program Coordinator at Dougy Center. (Portland, OR- in-person). Full-Time. 

Position Overview

Dougy Center is seeking a FT Program Coordinator to join our Listening and Led by Youth in Foster Care: Grief, Hope, & Transitions (L.Y.G.H.T.) Team. This position will be responsible for program coordination, program support, community outreach and recruitment, report writing, community site support and correspondence, and curricula development. The L.Y.G.H.T. Program Coordinator will assist with program development under the guidance of the L.Y.G.H.T. National Director, and with administration, coordination, and support for other Dougy Center projects.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Advanced knowledge and cultural sensitivity to work with a diverse population of youth who have experienced trauma, foster care, and/or other challenging life events.
Upper-level working knowledge of office systems, program management, implementation, and evaluation.
Advanced ability to develop program curricula.
Advanced ability to successfully establish and maintain community networks and partnerships.
Advanced ability to effectively provide program coordination.
Self-motivated, highly organized, and detail oriented.
Excellent writing and communication skills.
Excellent computer skills, including advanced competency in MS Word and a great command of Excel spreadsheets.
Availability for ongoing local travel to community partner sites and occasional out-of-state travel.

Qualifications:
A Master’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, education, or a related human services field is required. Experience in the child welfare field is preferred.
Minimum of two years of experience in psychology, social work, counseling, program facilitation, and administration is required.
Prior experience facilitating groups and providing program supervision is preferred.
Prior experience working with youth in the foster care system is highly desired.

Dougy Center offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits, generous vacation, dog friendly office, employer matched retirement fund, life and disability insurance, and employer paid medical, vision, and dental. The position is based at Dougy Center East (3909 SE 52nd Ave in Portland) and does require time in the physical office.

Starting salary range: $50,000 – $55,000 depending on experience. Interested applicants please send cover letter and resume to lyght@dougy.org. Position posting will close on Dec 6, 2023.

Dougy Center: The National Grief Center for Children & Families is committed to providing grief support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and their families can share their experiences before and after a death. We provide support and training locally, nationally, and internationally to individuals and organizations seeking to assist children who are grieving. With this mission and with the well-being of all families who are grieving in our community in mind, we will demonstrate Dougy Center’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and specifically, fair and inclusive access to meaningful and relevant resources and services for all people who are grieving in our community. We are committed to engaging in intentional dialogue to foster a community based on our organizational values of respect, integrity, stewardship, and excellence.

Bereavement Support Group Facilitator: Long Island for COPE Bereavement Program (Melville, NY). Part-Time. 

Position Overview

This is a part-time, per diem position with schedule determined by organization need and Facilitator availability. Position is for a new monthly in person bereavement support group in Suffolk County Long Island.

COPE Facilitators are responsible for running bereavement support groups for parents and/or siblings and conducting brief intakes for participants of their groups. Facilitators report to the COPE Clinical and Program Director. They may not recruit group participants for their own private practices.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Facilitate COPE bereavement support group(s) for up to two hours per support group meeting;  arrive early to ensure safe access to the building/office where the meeting takes place (when applicable); begin  and end sessions on time; submit attendance sheets within one week of meeting; communicate  need for coverage or change of meeting date due to vacation or illness.
  2. Conduct brief intakes of potential new participants for their own groups and assess readiness and appropriateness for the group; provide pertinent information (i.e. time, location,  and directions); follow-up support with ongoing members as needed.
  3. Follow and implement clinical protocols as described in organization materials; address and  communicate concerns or crises to Clinical and Program Director; refer participants for additional  counseling and clinical care as needed or requested in consultation with Clinical and Program Director.
  4. Required participation in supervision, semi-annual meetings/trainings and performance reviews with Clinical and Program Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Master’s Degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling or equivalent
  • New York State registered and/or licensed; LMSW or LCSW preferred
  • Strong background in bereavement and grief counseling
  • Strong background in group support
  • Bilingual/Multilingual (Spanish speaking) a plus

Bereavement Support Group Facilitator for COPE Bereavement Program (Melville, NY). Part-Time/Per Diem. 

Position Overview

This is a part-time, per diem position with schedule determined by organization need and Facilitator availability. Position is for a new monthly Spanish-speaking bereavement support group in NYC/Long Island.

COPE Facilitators are responsible for running bereavement support groups for bereaved individuals and conducting intakes for participants of their groups in collaboration with COPE Clinical and Program Director. Facilitators report to the COPE Clinical and Program Director. They may not recruit group participants for their own private practices.

Opportunity for support and collaboration with COPE Community Outreach and Engagement Manager for Spanish-speaking outreach to local social services organizations and community partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Facilitate COPE bereavement support group(s) for up to two hours per support group meeting; arrive early to ensure safe access to the building/office where the meeting takes place (when applicable); begin and end sessions on time; submit attendance sheets within one week of meeting; communicate need for coverage or change of meeting date due to vacation or illness.

Conduct phone intakes of potential new participants for their own groups and assess readiness and appropriateness for the group; provide pertinent information (i.e. time, location, and directions); follow-up support with ongoing members as needed. Coordinate with COPE Clinical and Program Director throughout the intake process.
Follow and implement clinical protocols as described in organization materials; address and communicate concerns or crises to Clinical and Program Director; refer participants for additional counseling and clinical care as needed or requested in consultation with Clinical and Program Director. Required participation in supervision, semi-annual meetings/trainings and performance reviews with Clinical and Program Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Master’s Degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling or equivalent
  • New York State registered and/or licensed; LMSW or LCSW preferred
  • Strong background in bereavement and grief counseling
  • Strong background in group support
  • Spanish speaking required

Bilingual Grief Counselor for Judi’s House/JAG Institute (Aurora, CO). Full-Time. Relocation and Sign on Bonus. 

Position Overview

A Judi’s House Bilingual Grief Counselor is a passionate, committed, and dedicated mental health professional who wants to contribute to the organizational vision that no child should be alone in grief. The Grief Counselor participates in direct service and training by leading the therapeutic group process, conducting psychosocial assessments, providing individual and family counseling, aiding in the professional development of trainees, supporting the research initiative, presenting/participating in outreach and education opportunities, and supporting volunteer recruitment. The role supports Spanish-language clinical services at Judi’s House by contributing to the clinical milieu, guiding best practices, and advancing the JEDI initiative at the organization.

This position primarily works four ten-hour shifts Monday – Thursdays and requires evening work up to three times a week.

Although some remote work is possible, this position is primarily onsite and in the community.

Salary range for this role is $66,284-$79,095.50.

The Benefits:

  • $5,000 Sign-On Bonus
  • Relocation allowance available.
  • A knowledgeable, mission-driven team.
  • Generous leave policies
  • Four-day work weeks
  • Supportive team environment
  • Employer-sponsored health insurance
  • 401k Match Program
  • Professional development funding/time
  • Monthly celebrations

Grief Team Lead for Cedar Valley Hospice (Waterloo, IA). Full-Time. 

Position Overview

Cedar Valley Hospice is the premier hospice agency serving 15 counties with offices in Waterloo, Grundy Center, Independence and Waverly. We are currently seeking a Grief Team Lead to join our well-respected team in our Waterloo office.

The Grief Team Lead will function as the leader of the Grief Support team. The Grief Team Lead will evaluate current grief offerings and develop and lead initiatives to further enhance and support the changing needs of the agency. This position will also provide direct grief support services to hospice and community grief clients (adults and children), as well as train and oversee the grief department employees and volunteers.

For more information about the position, contact Mikaela Hines: mhines@cvhospice.org

Director of Clinical Programs for Judi’s House/JAG Institute (Aurora, CO). Full-Time. 

Position Overview

The Director of Clinical Programs is passionate about developing and implementing best practice standards for bereavement care in Metro Denver and beyond. With a balance of clinical expertise and program administration, the Director manages and oversees all aspects of in-house, community-based, and clinical training functions in line with legal, ethical, and organizational standards while addressing the practical and cultural needs of the community. Using strong critical thinking and communication skills, the Director of Clinical Programs applies experience and expertise in managing family-based therapeutic programming and ensures that Judi’s House follows the Comprehensive Grief Care Model to support bereaved children and caregivers. A core member of the organization’s Senior Leadership Team, the Director collaborates with the Chief Clinical Officer to strategically plan the direction and growth of clinical programming. The Director is responsible for the operational success of Judi’s House’s clinical programming by ensuring seamless team management, appropriate program development, quality service delivery, adequate revenue generation, balanced budget management, strategic community partnerships, and accurate stakeholder reporting. The Director is a thought partner for all the Judi’s House/JAG Institute staff, improving collaboration, leading cross-functional teams, and facilitating understanding of clinical programming. The Director establishes and maintains a culture of learning within Judi’s House/JAG Institute that encourages staff to ask questions, be creative, and collectively work toward achieving the full potential and impact of Judi’s House/JAG Institute.

For more information about the position, contact Micki Burns: mickib@judishouse.org