Coordinator for Community Grief Support

TITLE: COORDINATOR FOR COMMUNITY GRIEF SUPPORT

(FULL-TIME POSITION)

STATUS: NON-EXEMPT

SUPERVISOR: DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES

JFCS Pittsburgh Since 1937, JFCS Pittsburgh has been pushing what’s possible in human services—combining compassion, innovation, and a relentless commitment to dignity and justice. We partner with people across the region to navigate life’s changes and challenges, designing bold, responsive programs that meet real needs in real time.

At JFCS, your work matters. You’ll join a team of passionate problem‑solvers and strategic thinkers who care deeply about people and aren’t afraid to rethink the way support is delivered. Here, creativity is encouraged, compassion drives every decision, and your impact is felt immediately in the community.

If you’re looking for more than a job—if you want your work to spark purpose, connection, and meaningful change—JFCS is where you can make it happen.

Position Summary:

The Coordinator for Community Grief Support will lead a two-year design and implementation project that explores faith-based grief practices. This two-year project, the Interfaith Community Approach to Loss, will ultimately result in a Grief Resource Guide that serves as a set of practices and strategies that equips communities across the region to support friends and loved ones with rich and meaningful practices that ensure that no one travels the pathway of loss alone.

The Coordinator for Community Grief Support will begin their grief focused pilot initiative in the Jewish community. They will research current national projects, nurture and lead a “community of practice” on grief, design curricula and the resource guide, as well as other interventions, as well as facilitate the scaling and expansion of the project into other faith communities.

This role blends project management, small group facilitation, and a curiosity and openness to the multi-dimensional experience of loss and grief. The resultant Grief Resource Guide and other materials will help people understand planning and preparing for end of life, normalizing their experiences, sharing healthy coping strategies, while weaving together meaningful faith traditions and practices into a scalable model of community support.

The Coordinator will join the committed and compassionate team of the JFCS Counseling Department and collaborate with colleagues in other departments whose work touches on grief and loss. The focus is on resources and guidance to individuals, families, and communities that are navigating the complexities of various aspects of end of life, all with a compassionate lens.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Project Coordination

· Research national and international grief initiatives and grief education programs.

· Partner with death doulas, hospices and funeral homes as well as faith leaders to create a Learning Community.

· Lead the multicultural Learning Community on bereavement, pre-grief, anticipatory grief, and faith.

· Adapt approaches to grief to respect cultural, spiritual, and personal differences in grief expression.

· Create accessible materials (handouts, guides, curriculum, online content) that share grief stages, coping tools, and faith-based support options.

· Design and deliver workshops, seminars, and training sessions on preparing the individual, community, and/or the family for loss.

· Plan for scaling of pilot initiative.

· Other duties as assigned.

Training and Consultation:

· Participates in the development of training seminars, workshops, and tele-conferences for presentation.

· Participate in training and development activities including those which would result in increased responsiveness to the clients served

· Open to training and certifications in Grief Education

· Organize staff training to create a unified, holistic response to grief at all stages of life.

Administration

· Represents JFCS at professional meetings and conferences as assigned.

· Completes timesheets weekly

· Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: · Bachelors Degree in Education, Social Services, or adjacent field. · Experience in non-profit field, small group development, and community building . · Experience and deep interest in grief, clinical work, and pastoral care

· Ability to communicate effectively and professionally at all levels.

· Strong communication, writing, and facilitation skills, with the ability to address sensitive topics respectfully.

· Strong planning and organizational skills.

· Must have cultural literacy and openness to a wide swath of faith practices.

· Availability for occasional evenings and weekends.

Physical Requirements:

· Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

· Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Salary : $28