Placement Specialist for Foster Care

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

Since 1939, the 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, conducting policy advocacy, and advancing 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, and vision available on 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 4% 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 Senior Program Officer for Foster Care, the Placement Specialist for Foster Care will provide essential support services to LIRS local partner agencies, while also providing technical assistance to foster care and reunification affiliate staff and stakeholders. This role will coordinate referral assurance and placement of unaccompanied refugee minors and unaccompanied children in federal custody to affiliates, as well as, continue support of migrant and refugee care through technical assistance, integration of child welfare best practices and standards, and ongoing communication.

DUTIES

• Assist with assuring unaccompanied children and unaccompanied refugee minors cases on behalf of partner agencies.
• Coordinates with governmental affiliates, LIRS partner agencies, and internal staff in the acceptance of referrals and placements of refugee and migrant youth.
• Maintain and organize collaborative peer to peer information resources to include webpages and data records.
• Provide support for projects that impact all programs across the family reunification and foster care programs.
• Assists with the creation of reports and documents, such as those that reflect trends in practice.
• Coordinates regular communication activities with the foster care and family reunification network to include calls, newsletters, and other distribution lists.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree or combination of education and 2 years of work experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with stakeholders and partners.
• Detail-oriented, with the ability to multi-task, and work well under pressure.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and critical thinking/problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work well as part of a team and independently.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with data entry, data management, and/or use of data management tools or software.
• Demonstrated research skills and experience.
• Cross-cultural experience and cultural competency related to issues of diversity.
• Commitment to LIRS's core mission and values and an ability to model those values in relationships with colleagues and partners.

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.