What are the responsibilities and job description for the Field Responder (NORTHEAST OHIO REGION) Traumatic Loss Response Team position at Cornerstone of Hope?
Field Responder (NORTHEAST OHIO REGION) Traumatic Loss Response Team
Position Type: Full-Time, Hourly (40 hours/week)
Compensation: $50,000–$60,000 annually, based on experience
Location: Cornerstone of Hope – Cleveland, Ohio Service Area: Cuyahoga County and surrounding Northeast Ohio counties (travel required within approximately 100–125 mile radius, one way)
Reports To: Program Coordinator
WE’RE CORNERSTONE OF HOPE
Cornerstone of Hope is Ohio's leading bereavement center, helping thousands of grieving children, teens, adults, and families each year find hope through expert grief support, education, and community outreach.
Every story we tell helps someone discover they don't have to face grief alone.
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
Within 24–48 hours after a suicide, homicide, overdose, or other traumatic death, you will walk alongside families during one of the most difficult moments of their lives. Your role is not to investigate the death or provide emergency medical care—it is to provide compassion, stability, practical guidance, and hope when it is needed most.
The ideal candidate has significant experience supporting individuals and families following traumatic events and is comfortable responding to deaths involving suicide, homicide, overdose, and other unexpected losses.
The role also includes community outreach and program development, building collaborative partnerships with coroners, first responders, law enforcement, schools, healthcare organizations, and other community agencies throughout Northeast Ohio.
Candidates often come from backgrounds such as military service, first response, victim advocacy, chaplaincy, emergency medicine, behavioral health, or other professions where providing support during life's most difficult moments is a core responsibility.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Crisis & Postvention Response
- Meet with families, often within 24-48 hours following a traumatic death;
- Provide compassionate emotional on-site support during the earliest days of grief;
- Help families understand available resources and next steps;
- Coordinate follow-up care and referrals to ongoing grief services
- Maintain timely documentation and reporting
- Participate in a rotating evening/weekend on-call schedule
Community Engagement & Outreach
- Build and sustain partnerships with coroners, hospitals, schools, first responders, and community organizations
- Increase awareness and visibility of postvention services throughout the region
- Assist in developing outreach strategies and educational efforts
- Represent the organization at community meetings and collaborative initiatives
Program Development & Volunteer Support
- Support recruitment and coordination of trained volunteers
- Assist with marketing and awareness initiatives
- Contribute to regional program expansion and strategic growth
- Participate in organization-wide initiatives aligned with our “All-Hands-on-Deck” team culture
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
· Minimum 7–10 years of professional experience supporting individuals and families through crisis, trauma, death, or significant life events.
- Ability to respond calmly and compassionately in high-intensity environments
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills
- Demonstrated emotional maturity and ability to process exposure to traumatic situations
- Willingness to travel extensively throughout Northeast Ohio (100–125 miles one way as needed)
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
- Availability for evening and weekend on-call rotations
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)
BONUS POINTS
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Public Health, or related human services field
- One or more of the following:
- Military service, particularly in casualty assistance, behavioral health, or leadership roles.
- First responder experience (law enforcement, EMS, fire service).
- Victim advocacy
- Licensed behavioral health professional with extensive trauma experience.
- Hospital chaplaincy
- Medical examiner/coroner offices
- Bilingual skills a plus
READY TO JOIN US?
Please submit:
- Resume
- Cover Letter (required)
In your cover letter, please share how your professional experience and personal values align with Cornerstone of Hope’s mission and our faith-informed approach to serving grieving individuals and families.
Submit materials to: cohhr@cornerstoneofhope.org
Cornerstone of Hope is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: On the road
Salary : $50,000 - $60,000