Program Associate

The Program Associate is responsible for Imagine’s support programs and supporting grief education primarily in Newark. The position’s base location is in Newark and will provide support in Mountainside as needed. 

This is a full-time, on-site position, reporting to the Newark Program Director. The Imagine staff is currently working from home due to the ongoing pandemic

Program Associate Job Segments and Areas of Responsibility

SWPN (South Ward Promise Neighborhood) In School Support

Provide grief education for students in grades 5-8, at two schools in the South Ward, and additional schools as the program expands

• Provide grief peer support groups for students to participate in ongoing support. Group sessions up to 10 weeks long
• Conduct initial intake calls and an orientation for families interested in having their child(ren) participate in the peer support group
• Clinically assess families’ needs and whether the peer support group is an adequate fit for the student at that time, and determine if additional services may be necessary
• Ongoing communication via email, phone, or in person with schools and families during the grief peer support group sessions
• Regular communication with school social worker or counselor to discuss progress of the peer support groups and any other pertinent information that may arise  

Imagine Center Support and Management

• Field initial intake phone calls for potential center participants
• Conduct orientations of new center participants
• Clinically assess families’ needs and whether Imagine is a fit for the family and the family for Imagine
• Make referrals for families who require additional support
• Assist with giving tours of the center for interested parties
• Provide ongoing individual support for those in need, including education about talking to children about death and dying.
• Manage and oversee up to 2 Nights of Support per week including supervision of volunteers. Night of Support can be either virtual or on-sight at the center
• Plan group activities for each Night of Support
• Provide pre-and post group facilitation of volunteers on Nights of Support
• Maintain current and accurate records of volunteer facilitators and participant attendance at Night of Support
• Conduct community grief education/trainings
• Provide support for schools, community agencies, corporations, etc. who are coping with loss
• Assist with developing, marketing, and publicizing existing and new programs as needed to maintain and grow the center
• Support the Program Manager with outreach to community agencies and partners to promote Imagine’s programs and services.

SWPN Training/Education Support

• Provide grief education trainings for students, parents, school staff, and larger South Ward community

Liaison with South Ward Promise Neighborhood (SWPN)

• Provide regular based coordination with SWPN personnel regarding both in school programs and education training
• Participate in the monthly SWPN partner meetings 

Training/Education Support

• Assist the Training & Education group to provide 1) grief education trainings to community including schools, community centers, agencies and for profit organizations; 2) facilitator trainings, workshops and book clubs for volunteer facilitators

Volunteer Management and Community Outreach

• Assist Program Manager with regular opportunities for Volunteer Recognition
• Supervise volunteers in bi-weekly Nights of Support as well as annual reviews
• Assist in marketing (including a Social Media Strategy) and communications strategy and implementation
• Attend appropriate networking opportunities
• Host monthly one-hour information sessions/tours

Administrative

• Assist in managing Newark program budget
• Assist in preparing monthly report for Board of Trustees
• Assist with preparing content for grant proposals and reports
• Gather data tracking information of all participants and families associated with the program

Qualifications:

The qualification profile for the position must include       

• Master's level degree in field of education or a mental health discipline with specific experience in trauma-informed care and interventions
• 1-3 years’ experience working in an urban environment with children and families
• Track record in ongoing management of support programs including peer support, trauma
• recovery, individual mental health services, and training and education
• Experience effecting systemic change

Core competencies required include

• Recruiting and training volunteers
• Demonstrated skills in community outreach
• Managing to meet annual/program budgets
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong public speaking skills

Additional requirements

• Travel required between Newark support centers and Mountainside, NJ. Ability to drive required
• Bi-lingual in Spanish and English is a plus

Compensation: 

Salary range is 45k to 53k commensurate with experience 

Benefits: 

Imagine offers medical, dental and vision coverage; Paid Time Off  

Location: 

244 Sheffield Street, Mountainside, NJ 07092 

How to Apply : 

Please send your resume and cover letter, including your salary range, to jobs@imaginenj.org

About Imagine: 

Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, is a grief support center located in Mountainside and Newark, New Jersey for children, young adults and families dealing with the death or life-altering illness of a parent, sibling or child. Imagine provides free peer grief support year-round for as long as is needed. At the start of 2020, over 430 children and adults from 59 towns across New Jersey attended support groups every two weeks in Mountainside and Newark. Recently, we've transitioned to remote support groups for our participants. In addition to these services, Imagine provides training through our education and outreach programs across the state to a variety of organizations including schools, houses of worship and corporations. We also provide support after any trauma or loss. Our mission is to support children and adults coping with loss and to foster resiliency and emotional well-being for all those who grieve. To learn more visit www.imaginenj.org.  

This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), as well as under any and all applicable state (New Jersey) and local laws, rules and regulations. 

This Position Description and Requirements for Program Associate is subject to change, revision and amendment by Imagine, at any time, with or without advance notice. Imagine will, however, endeavor to provide such changed, revised and/or amended to Position Description and Requirements to the Program Associate, as soon thereafter as practicable, including any supplement to such Position Description and Requirements. Finally, at the sole discretion of Imagine, through the Executive Director, the Program Associate might, at any time, be required to perform other, different and/or or additional requirements than those set forth and detailed above.