Associate Director for Family Reunification (Western Region)

If you are passionate about transforming communities with a mission-driven organization, then we have the opportunity for you!

Since 1939, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) has offered welcome and hope to refugees. LIRS has transformed lives with the support and hard work of people like you, to welcome the most vulnerable to the United States from sea to shining sea.

We help people seeking safety from persecution in their home countries and reunite families torn apart by conflict. We resettle refugees. We protect vulnerable children who arrive alone in the United States. We advocate for compassion and justice for all migrants.

Widely recognized for our expertise in implementing federal programs on behalf of refugees and migrants in the United States, conducts policy advocacy, and advances the protection and rights of vulnerable migrants.

Headquartered in the beautiful Inner Harbor of downtown Baltimore we provide services nationwide through a network of staff and affiliates. Attracting and retaining the best talent is vital to our continued growth and we are proud to offer an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision available the first day of employment, professional development, tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off including 20 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave, 12 paid holidays PLUS the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, 12 weeks of paid parental leave and up to 12 weeks of fully paid FMLA leave, company 403(b) contribution of 3%, an additional 7% match, Family Building benefits for reproductive procedures, adoption/foster care assistance, and an annual wellness benefit that can be customized to support your personal needs including funding enrichment classes, gym memberships, and healthy eating plans (to name a few) all in an inclusive and progressive environment!

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is a champion for all uprooted people. Please join us as we make a difference in the lives of newcomers.

Reporting to the Director for Children's Services, the Associate Director for Family Reunification provides strong programmatic management, strategic vision, and leadership to a team responsible for the overall implementation, oversight and quality of the Family Reunification and Safe Release Support programs being implemented by LIRS Children Services thought-out its partner network. In close collaboration within the Deputy Director and Director for Children Services, this role will ensure the effectiveness and quality of all services and programs through monitoring, data management, research, evaluation, supervision and the development and enhancement of program efficiencies. The role will be responsible for identifying, vetting and securing new partnerships to expand effective and efficient service delivery in collaboration with LIRS and in developing partnerships for opportunities to expand children's services programs.

DUTIES

Lead, supervise and direct staff to meet the objectives of our Federal obligations and to LIRS standards in accordance to external and internal agreements in manner that respects and encourages their individual gifts and skills, educates them regarding the tasks and skills required to meet objectives.

Lead collaboration efforts and strategic vision for Home Study and Post Release Services Program and Safe Release Support Programs engaged in service provisions to unaccompanied children and their families. Significant program development to enhance and expand opportunities to serve unaccompanied children and families.

Provide oversight of HS&PRS and SRS network communication and peer learning throughout the network.

Oversee the placement process ensuring proper coverage, clear procedures, proper placement matching, and prompt distribution of all new cases and ensure that this is all in the best interest of children.

Provide and oversee technical support and training being provided to the local partner network, including ongoing site monitoring of the HS & PRS and SRS partners to assess program functioning and compliance with ORR/LIRS standards, identify trends and service gaps, and evaluate service models.

Ensure work plan development, internal operating policy and procedures and compliance with federal obligations.

Meeting with federal partners, program partners and other coalition allies in person or via conference calls to discuss Family Reunification and Safe Release Support programmatic issues.

Contribution and management of numerous funding reports and proposal submissions, reviewing and editing quarterly, annual and monitoring reports for program services.

Oversight and management of expenditures related to service delivery of Home Study and Post Release Services and Safe Release Support activities, analyze and assist in preparing annual budgets.

Provide support and back-up for the Deputy Director for Children Services, the HS & PRS and SRS Program Managers.

Analyze ORR and local policies affecting unaccompanied children to determine its impact on services. Provide information, analyses, and recommendations both verbally and in writing to agency leadership, ORR, and local partners as needed.

In consultation with the Data Improvement Coordinator, review and oversee quality data management for SRS and FR programs for quality and in accordance with ORR requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Master's in social work or other behavioral science combined five years' experience and knowledge of child welfare systems, principles, practices and emerging trends.

Minimum of 5 years progressive managerial experience with responsibilities in supervision, program management, implementation and evaluation.

Experience and knowledge of working with refugee and unaccompanied migrant children.

Demonstrated experience in program development, administration and budget oversight.

Demonstrated ability to develop and manage collaborative partnerships among various systems.

Demonstrated experience in inter-agency collaboration, development of new partnerships and creating working groups.

Demonstrated experienced in writing proposals, reports and documents for various purposes of mandated reporting.

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and activities simultaneously

Awareness of legal and political issues related to immigration and child welfare

Able and willing to travel, at minimum 6 times annually.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We participate in E-Verify in the states that permit its use.

We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package in an innovative and rewarding work environment. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage effective on your first day of employment, 403(b) with company contribution and match, 20 days of vacation per year, tuition reimbursement, professional development and much more. Salaries are based on the latest market data and reflect the education, skills and requirements for the role. Differentials may exist based on the region and language abilities.