Program Manager

Good Grief of NW Ohio provides peer support groups for children ages 4-18 and their adult caregivers who are grieving the death of someone important to them.

We are seeking a self-motivated, highly organized individual with experience in bereavement, working with children and families, and an excellent understanding of the needs of grieving individuals of all ages.

Master’s level counseling, social work, or related field required.  Ideal candidates will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and basic computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint.)

Experience with children’s and adult groups, knowledge of grief issues, and community resources are important skills for this position. Previous experience working with volunteers is very helpful.

40 hours per week with some nights and weekends required. Please send resume and cover letter including wage expectations, to [email protected]. 

For more information about Good Grief of NW Ohio, please visit our website goodgriefnwo.org

PROGRAM MANAGER                                                        

REPORTS TO:  Managing Director

POSITION SUMMARY:  Responsible for creating, managing, and overseeing all programming efforts for GGNWO including groups that are school-based and groups held at GGNWO, serving children and families that are grieving the death of someone important to them.  Additionally, the Program Manager is responsible for the training and supervision of program volunteers and interns.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management and Development:

  • Leads recruitment, screening, training, and supervision of volunteer facilitators and program assistants.
  • Provides coaching, feedback, and continuing training so that volunteer facilitators are prepared to facilitate children’s support groups.
  • Creates curriculum and implements all GGNWO’s trainings including initial volunteer training and periodic additional volunteer training.
  • Ensures effective communication and planning with volunteers; facilitates regularly scheduled volunteer meetings.
  • Provides information about new families, family updates, and other announcements to facilitators and program assistants.
  • Addresses family concerns or issues, providing direction, support, or coaching to facilitators as needed.
  • Plans annual program calendar.
  • Directly supervises peer support program, following best practices for bereavement support for children and teens.
  • Monitors content of support group activities for appropriateness.
  • Ensures all set-up and clean-up work is completed, and all meeting supplies are available and replenished as needed.
  • Ensures child safety policies, emergency procedures, and building safety policies are followed by all group participants and volunteers.
  • Conducts family intake, orientation, and group assignment for prospective bereavement support group participants.
  • Provides follow-up and referral to mental health therapists, protective services, and/or outside resources as needed or as requested.
  • Maintains family records and with Office Manager ensures the family database is correct and up to date.
  • Develops and implements new or expanded programs as approved by the Board of Directors.
  • In collaboration with Managing Director, participates in evaluating program needs with respect to funding and potential/existing grants.
  • With input from Committee Chair, plans agenda and attends Program Committee meetings.
  • Working with school counselors or social workers, coordinates and facilitates school-based grief support programs.

 

Program Evaluation:

  • Oversees and implements program evaluation procedures.
  • Oversees analysis of evaluation results and provides regular reports to Managing Director and Program Committee.
  • Uses evaluation information to make program improvements.

Community Awareness & Outreach:

  • Supports maintenance of statistics and demographic information needed for grant applications and reports.
  • Makes presentations to community groups, school personnel, physicians, mental health professionals, and others about GGNWO and children’s grief issues.
  • Provides outreach to schools in crisis, offering support as needed and appropriate, according to established guidelines.
  • Helps with GGNWO social media content.
  • Ability and willingness to assist with planning and implementing all special events.
  • Assists with obtaining photos, family stories, and other information to help support fundraising and educational outreach efforts.
  • Assists in keeping GGNWO’s community resource list up to date.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

  • Maintains compliance with all laws, acts, regulations, and organizational policies and procedures.
  • Any other duties, projects, or responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education:  Master’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work, or related field preferred.

Licensure:  License (or license eligible) in Social Work, Counseling, Clinical Pastoral Care, or related field required.

Experience:  Grief or bereavement support, experience with art and/or play therapies, experience working with children and teens, experience working with volunteers.

 

Specific Skills: 

  • Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communications and presentation skills.
  • Innovative self-starter searching for ways to simplify processes and enhance programming.
  • Strong sense of compassion/empathy.
  • Enthusiastic dedication to GGNWO’s mission.
  • Good organizational and planning skills.
  • Ability to work effectively and respectfully with a wide range of individuals in a diverse community.
  • Attention to accuracy in reporting.
  • Professional demeanor as a representative of GGNWO.
  • Excellent understanding of the needs of grieving people of all ages.

 

Working Conditions:  Full time, local travel required, evening and some weekend hours required.