GRIEF COUNSELOR (MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE) - AFSCME

Cook County Offices Under The President Administrative Hearings Auditor Bureau of Administration Bureau of Economic Development Bureau of Finance Bureau of Human Resources Bureau of Technology Facilities Office of the President Job Summary Under the direction of the Indigent and Family Services Manager, serves as an advocate for the Medical Examiner and for individuals who have died and been sent to the Medical Examiner's Office for investigation. Maintains a high-level of interactive communication with professional staff, supervisors, and managers to properly assess the needs and urgencies of the department as related to bereavement counseling. Performs grief and loss services within the Medical Examiner's Office, for those experiencing loss of family or an individual. Provides information on the death process in an empathetic, supportive manner and support to bereaved family members. Provides grief support via phone, mailings, or community support group referrals and will provide resources for community support as appropriate. Applies knowledge of emotional, social, and spiritual needs and responses to death and grief. Performs other duties as assigned.

• Grief Counselors are assigned to work various shifts to cover business hours as well as hours when identifications take place. Minimum Qualifications Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Family Studies, Psychology, or Criminal Justice is required. Two (2) years of practical work experience conducting bereavement counseling, victim advocacy, social work, or crisis intervention is required. Preferred Qualifications Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), OR Licensed Social Worker (LSW). Candidates who are contacted will be required to produce original required documents (e.g., current driver's license, diploma, school transcript, certifications, etc.) listed on the Notice of Job Opportunity within five (5) days of being extended an offer, in writing, by the Bureau Chief of BHR (or designee). Candidates will be notified of how to submit required documents . The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.
• Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States territories and Canada, must be credentialed by the World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or a National Association of Credential Evaluation (NACES) member organization. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS Thorough knowledge of community resources and referral processes regarding crisis intervention, victim assistance, grief counseling services, or other resources as appropriate. Strong knowledge and utilization of technical, legal and medical language. Skill and accuracy in the control, organization and maintenance of files and records. Skill utilizing proper technical, legal, medical, and other language usage including punctuation and grammar, and their proper application to business forms, letters and records. Ability to work with graphic material. Ability to work in close proximity to decedents and malodorous conditions. Ability to build rapport and establish relationships through strong interpersonal skills. Ability to effectively manage customer service practices. Ability to coordinate several tasks at one time and perform well under pressure. Ability to handle numerous clients needs simultaneously. Excellent communication skills with the ability to exercise diplomacy, gather information from others and make inquiries. Ability to convey information and explain or discuss office policy and procedure with others in person or via telephone or other social media resource. Experience working in public service working in an advocate related capacity. Experience and effectiveness working with diverse individuals and groups. Excellent communication and teamwork skills required to collaborate with individuals across disciplines and at all organizational levels. Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Exhibits passion for serving those who have experienced loss as well as integrating healing arts and complementary approaches as part of a whole person healing process. Travel may be required throughout Cook County. VETERAN'S PREFERENCE When applying for employment with Cook County Government, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days, or during War Time. To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must : MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION. IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS A VETERAN ON THEIR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION BY ANSWERING YES TO THE QUESTION "Are you a military veteran?" ATTACH A COPY OF THEIR DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (NOTICE OF SEPARATION) AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING. IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE DD 214S, 215S, OR NGB 22S, PLEASE SUBMIT THE ONE WITH THE LATEST DATE. COAST GUARD MUST SUBMIT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE MILITARY SEPARATION FROM EITHER THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (BEFORE 911) OR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (AFTER 911). The Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs can assist you with obtaining a certified DD214 and having it recorded for you at no charge. Please contact veterans.affairs@cookcountyil.gov VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.
• This position requires successful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a background check, drug screen and medical examination.Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification, dismissal after hire, and / or placement on the County's Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. For current County employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and placement on the County's Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. See Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44-54 Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment - Penalty , 44-56 Political Discrimination ; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N. Pre-Interview License and Certification Verification ; Supplemental Policy No. 2014-2.13 Ineligible for Rehire List ; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b) (7) (d) EEO Statement Cook County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity ("EEO") employer. Cook County prohibits illegal discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, source of income, housing status, military service or discharge status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other protected category established by law, statute or ordinance as further defined in Chapter 44. Human Resources, Article II. Personnel Polices, Section 44-53 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances and Chapter 42. Human Relations, Article II. Human Rights, Section 42-35 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances. NOTE : As an internal candidate, should you be offered the position, salary allocations shall abide by the Cook County Personnel Rules.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. Social Media Disclaimer The County's hiring process is governed by the Cook County Employment Plan which prohibits employment actions from being influenced by any Political Reasons or Factors for Non-Exempt Positions. The advertisement of this position by any individual does not constitute an offer or promise of employment, promotion, or any other employment action and shall not influence the County's hiring.