Careers

MOUNTAINSIDE PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

POSITION DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS

Summary

The Program Associate reports to the Clinical Program Supervisor and is responsible for Imagine’s support programs, camp partnerships and assisting with school and community responses. The position’s base location is in Mountainside and will provide support in Newark and locally as needed. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Qualifications

The qualification profile for the position includes:

• Master’s level degree in a mental health discipline or certification as a Child Life Specialist with specific experience in trauma- informed care and interventions is a plus
• 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
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong public speaking skills Additional requirements
• Travel may be required between  Mountainside and Newark, NJ support center. Ability to drive required
• Bi-lingual in Spanish and English is a plus

Compensation & Benefits

• The position is full-time and salary range is 50 – 60K commensurate with experience
• Health benefits are offered

Job Segments and Areas of Responsibility

Support Nights of Support Programming 

Support Calls: 

• Field initial intake phone calls for potential center participants
• Respond to program related inquires to provide up to date program information and grief education in a manner aligned with Imagine’s model
• Utilize assessment skills to help callers discern program fit and have a working knowledge of grief and mental health resources and referrals for callers not best served by Imagine’s program
• Manage scheduling to respond to call within 1 business day and schedule orientation or provide referrals and necessary documentation in a timely manner

Orientations:   

• Conduct orientations of new center participants
• Use knowledge of family and group dynamics to create supportive environment for families to share loss narratives
• Provide age-appropriate grief education to participants of varying ages to normalize grief reaction and provide support and validation and programmatic information
• Utilize assessment skills to assess for safety, group appropriateness and anticipate potential challenges as group members or provide referrals to appropriate alternative or additional resources

Facilitate and Execute Nights of Support: 

• Manage and oversee up to 2 Nights of Support including supervision of volunteers. Night of Support can be either virtual or on-sight at the center
• Maintain current and accurate records of volunteer facilitators and participant attendance at Night of Support 
• Assist with developing, marketing, and publicizing existing and new programs as needed to maintain and grow the center
• Facilitate pre and post group for volunteers, providing peer support and skills development for all volunteers.
• Facilitate opening and closing circles for participants, creating environment of community, support and connection among participants and with Imagine and responsible for sharing relevant information for participants such as upcoming events and activities. 
• Support volunteers in managing group dynamics as needed, conducting safety assessments and facilitation support.
• Conduct routine follow up with facilitators through reflection journals and with participants through strategic contact via phone or email regarding absences, group experiences, questions or concerns and referrals as needed.

Responses

• Provide responses to the community and schools after a death has occurred as scheduling permits.  

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
• Attend appropriate networking opportunities
• Assist with facilitator trainings, continuing education and book clubs for volunteer facilitators

Family Camp and On-going Services Coordination 

• Leverage community-based events to raise awareness for Nights of Support and service families who need our services.  
• Manage partnerships with bereavement camp programs that may be of interest to Imagine’s participants

Administrative

• Log calls received and information regarding your response
• Collect data and ensure accuracy for all grant reports required 
• Input data weekly for progress monitoring on family and volunteer attendance, orientations, and support calls
• Gather data tracking information of all participants and families associated with the program
• Follow all purchasing requirements and submit all necessary documentation for purchases.  

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 Mountainside 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 additional requirements than those set forth and detailed above.