Peer Support - Grief Specialist

Job Title: PEER SUPPORT- GRIEF SPECIALIST

Salary Range: $40,000 - $45,000 ANNUALLY FT (PT opportunities available)

Background: Established in 1983, Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia (AVP) is a non-profit victim service agency whose mission is to reduce the cycle of violence in Philadelphia by providing a wide range of intervention, prevention, and support services to children, youth, adults, and families to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of violence. Services for victims of violence and co-victims of homicide include individual, family, and group counseling, victim advocacy, court accompaniment, grief support, crisis intervention, and violence prevention training for children, their parents, teachers, and service providers. AVP’s comprehensive and collaborative programs are offered throughout Philadelphia in schools, social service agencies, the courts, and the community sites. Services are provided to Philadelphians free of charge. AVP does not require clients to have proof of insurance or citizenship.

Summary: The Grief Specialist will provide specialized support to individuals and families who have endured loss due to violence. This role centers around offering emotional support, advocacy, and guidance throughout the grieving process. By helping clients navigate their emotions, the Grief Specialist plays a crucial role in fostering healing within community settings. The services provided are tailored to the unique needs of those affected by violence, aiming to address the profound impact that accompanies traumatic loss. Reporting to the Director of Counseling Services, the Grief Specialist will work collaboratively with various community partners to enhance the support network available to clients.

Availability must include evenings and weekends. Services may be provided virtually and in-person at AVP office, schools, Criminal Justice Center or other community locations when necessary.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Conduct and schedule individual, small group and community support sessions for clients who are direct or indirect victims of violence to help them navigate their grief.

• Guide clients through the complexities of the grieving process, providing information on what to expect and coping strategies.

• Act as an advocate for clients, helping them access necessary community resources.

• Maintains current records for clients including assessment and evaluation information, release of information, initial and progress notes and correspondence.

• Meets with the clinical supervisor for weekly supervision, at which the Peer Support Worker should be prepared to discuss at least one current case.

• Attends Counseling Services staff meetings and prepares case reviews for peer supervision on a rotating basis with other clinical staff.

• Initiates and maintains contact (as needed) with referral sources.

• Initiates and maintains contact with other professionals who may be resources for psycho-social support for the client, for example, other community-based victim service groups, clergy, etc.

• Coordinates with the Community Care Coordinator, Community Outreach Workers, other staff, and community partners to develop a comprehensive list of resources and social services for clients.

• Attends community events as requested and required.

• Provides case management support by assisting clients in identifying and accessing appropriate community resources, tracking progress, and ensuring continuity of care through coordination with community partners and service providers.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Assures protection of client confidentiality by appropriate storage of clinical information and sharing of such data only in accordance with AVP’s written confidentiality policy.

• Reviews potentially problematic cases prior to extended time off (vacation) and arranges coverage.

• Attends staff meetings and other meetings as requested and required.

• Learns about new developments in the field by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, and establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies.

• Conducts activities in compliance with AVP’s confidentiality policy and all applicable federal and state laws, including HIPAA, mandated reporting, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency’s (PCCD) Victim Services Program Standards, and the Victim Services Code of Ethics.

• Records hours worked, maintains a public calendar, and submits bi-weekly timesheet promptly.

• Completes other forms and paperwork as requested.

• Completes a minimum of 40 hours of training in first year; minimum of 10 hours of training annually in following years.

• Performs any other activities that may be assigned in the best interest of the organization.

• Maintains appropriate professional boundaries.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience providing grief support, pastoral care or chaplaincy.

• Prior experience working with children, adults and families that have experienced trauma and/or grief and loss strongly preferred.

• Ability to utilize appropriate modalities to address symptoms of traumatic grief with individuals and groups.

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively as a team and build relationships with a wide range of staff, volunteers, clients, partners, and all stakeholders in the community, across cultures and ethnic backgrounds, is essential.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively with clients, program partners, government agencies, evaluators, and community stakeholders of all demographic and professional levels.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and multi-task, and manage and meet deadlines in a motivated, effective way required.

• Demonstrated competence communicating about identity and equity, with a sophisticated understanding of the structures through which race, gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and other axes of identity function to unjustly distribute power and oppress some in our society.

• A commitment to integrating justice and equity into the work of the organization to ensure an inclusive and anti-racist organizational culture.

• A commitment to AVP’s mission.

Benefits: AVP offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for full-time employees that includes: 25 days’ paid time off (PTO) annually; 15 paid holidays per year; 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; and Flexible Spending Account for medical and dependent care.

Position Details: This is a full-time exempt status position based in Philadelphia, PA. Local and occasional out-of-county travel required for meetings and trainings.

Required Clearances: Employment will be contingent upon receipt of the following background checks: Pennsylvania Criminal Background Check, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, and FBI Criminal History Clearance (*applies only if you have not lived in Pennsylvania for 10 years or more).

Apply:

➢ Internal applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to avp@avpphila.org with subject line “Grief Specialist.”

Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia is an equal opportunity employer committed to a racially just, diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where differences are valued and respected. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all levels, of the communities we serve. It is our policy to abide by all federal, state and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on a person's race (including hair texture and hairstyles), color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, physical disability, mental and/or intellectual disability, age, military status, veteran status (including protected veterans), marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer related or HIV/AIDS related), genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other protected status. Individuals who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIAGNC, veterans, with disabilities, and/or at the intersection(s) of any of these identities are strongly encouraged to apply. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify, on either your application form, cover letter, or resume.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Philadelphia, PA 19131 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Philadelphia, PA 19131: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,000 - $45,000