Grief Counselor and Family Advocate

Job Description

Reports to: Director of Bereavement

Hours: Both PT and FT opportunities are available. Benefits available for FT position.

Location: St. Paul and Eden Prairie Minnesota

Brighter Days Family Grief Center

Brighter Days Family Grief Center is seeking a full‑time Grief Counselor with substantial experience supporting families after the death of a child. This role is ideal for a clinician who is grounded, compassionate, and committed to walking alongside families with steadiness and care. While grief counseling is an important part of the position, it represents no more than 50 percent of the role. The remainder focuses on group facilitation, family meetings, program and curriculum development, and responding to incoming support calls.

About the Role

Soft Landings is our newly launched child‑loss program that provides immediate and ongoing support to newly bereaved parents and their families. As this program continues to grow, we are seeking a full‑time Grief Counselor to help support the immediate needs of bereaved parents who are referred from local hospitals, hospices, funeral homes, and community partners.  

This role is central to shaping the experience of our Soft Landings families. It blends one‑on‑one counseling with group facilitation, family meetings, program engagement, and responding to incoming calls from families seeking guidance. The ideal candidate is steady, compassionate, and has significant years of experience supporting families during some of the most tender moments of their lives.

 Key Responsibilities

• Provide grief counseling to individuals and families, with significant experience in recent child loss.
• Facilitate grief support groups, family sessions, and workshops that foster connection, safety, and healing.
• Coordinate with Program Director to meet with families and offer guidance during high‑impact moments.
• Respond to incoming support calls with compassion, clarity, and resource‑based direction.
• Collaborate with the bereavement team to plan and implement grief‑support programming.
• Coordinate with the Director of Bereavement to respond to community crisis events as needed.
• Maintain accurate documentation and uphold Brighter Days’ standards of care, ethics, and cultural sensitivity.
• Contribute to ongoing program development, evaluation, trainings, and refinement.

 Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or a related field
• LICSW, LMFT, LPCC preferred.
• Trained in EMDR, ART, or other evidence‑based trauma modalities.
• Significant experience supporting couples/families after the death of a child.
• Strong group facilitation skills and comfort leading family meetings
• Ability to respond calmly and compassionately during crisis‑related calls
• Excellent communication skills, professional boundaries, and a collaborative spirit
• Commitment to culturally responsive, trauma‑informed grief support.
  Must live in and be licensed in Minnesota.

 Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• Compassionate bereavement policy 
• Professional development opportunities
• Supportive, mission‑driven team environment
• Meaningful work that directly impacts grieving families across Minnesota

 Why This Role Matters

Families navigating child loss deserve steady, compassionate support. This position ensures they receive care that honors their grief, strengthens their resilience, and connects them to a community that understands. If you are a clinician who feels called to this work, we would be honored to learn more about you.

Accommodation Notice
If you require assistance in completing this application or at any stage of the employment process, please notify the individual who provided you with this application. We are committed to making reasonable accommodations to meet your needs in a timely manner.

Employment History

Please list your employment history starting with your most recent or current position and work backwards. Include all relevant positions, both full-time and part-time, as well as internships, volunteer work, or other experiences that demonstrate your qualifications for the role.

If you have gaps in your employment history, feel free to provide a brief explanation (e.g., pursuing education, family responsibilities, travel, etc.).

Education

References

Please list three (3) professional references with at least one who has been in a supervisory role to you in the past three (3) years. 

Certification and Release

By signing below, I certify that the information provided on this application and any accompanying documents is true, complete, and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of information may result in the rejection of my application or, if employed, termination of employment.

I authorize Brighter Days Family Grief Center and its representatives to contact my references, past employers, educational institutions, and any other individuals or entities deemed necessary to verify the information provided in this application. I also authorize the company to obtain consumer reports and other background information about me in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and applicable state laws. I understand that I have the right to request a copy of any consumer report obtained, directly from the consumer reporting agency.

I specifically consent to the acquisition of such information and hereby release Brighter Days Family Grief Center, its agents, employees, and representatives, as well as any entities or individuals providing information, from any and all liability arising from the release, collection, or use of such information in the employment process.

I understand that applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment may be required to complete a post-offer drug test. Individuals who test positive for any illegal substance, or for any controlled substance not substantiated by a valid prescription, or who refuse testing, will be ineligible for employment.

I acknowledge that, if hired, my employment with Brighter Days Family Grief Center will be at-will, meaning that either the company or I may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause, except as otherwise provided by applicable federal, state, or local laws. I understand that no representative of the company has the authority to make any assurances to the contrary.

I also acknowledge that if I am hired, I will be required to provide proof of my identity and legal authorization to work in the United States within three (3) business days of my start date. Failure to do so may result in the termination of my employment.

By signing below, I represent and warrant that I have read and fully understand this Certification and Release. I agree to the terms outlined above and seek employment under these conditions.