Program Officer for Refugee Family Reunification

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. As we continue to grow, we search for the best candidates and offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, and vision available on the first day of employment professional development, tuition reimbursement, paid parental leave, company 403(b) contributions, and match, 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.

This position will report to the Assistant Director for Refugee Pre-Arrival Services and will support the Pre-Arrival Services Unit in leading the development of a strong foundation for the successful placement of refugee clients throughout the LIRS network. As a core function of the Department of State Bureau of Populations, Refugees and Migration's (PRM) Reception and Placement program, this work will be conducted through accurate, timely, and responsive technical processing of family reunification petitions, conducting training for the LIRS network and traveling to heavily impacted program sites to support with application filing.

DUTIES

• Manage the completion of timely and accurate family reunification processing activities as required in the PRM Reception and Placement Cooperative Agreement
• Research and respond to inquiries about LIRS cases and Family Reunification petitions.
• Track and document family reunification program activities to support program planning, including through data analysis.
• Synthesize and analyze family reunification patterns to note any significant issues and work towards finding solutions to overcome challenges as they arise.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert for the IRIS database team in developing Family Reunification functionality and troubleshooting technical issues with the system.
• Train affiliate staff on eligibility and filing requirements for Family Reunification Petitions.
• Develop and present professional training modules and live webinars for the network on family reunification topics.
• Travel to network sites to conduct family reunification workshops and sprints in person, in heavily impacted areas.
• Liaise directly with the Refugee Processing Center (RPC), Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs), and affiliate partners.
• Provide support and technical assistance to the network on Family Reunification, including managing support email inboxes.
• Manage family reunification training materials and resources for the network on LIRS's extranet.
• Cross-train and provide support for other pre-arrival work, as needed by the supervisor.
• Additional duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• An undergraduate degree is required, or a minimum of 2-3 years of related work experience with the Department of State's Reception and Placement Program, is preferred.
• Experience completing family reunification petitions, is strongly preferred.
• Excellent MS Office Suite skills, particularly in Word and Excel, are required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information and data points with attention to detail and accuracy while adhering to compliance standards.
• Ability to work independently while demonstrating flexibility to adapt to the needs of the team.
• Experience with and commitment to working in a fast-paced and diverse work environment.
• Deep commitment to LIRS's core values and ability to model those values in relationships with colleagues and partners.
• Ability to travel up to 15% of the time.

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 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.