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

This position will provide backup and support to the Associate Director for Foster Care, Senior Program Officer for Foster Care, fellow Program Officers for Foster Care, and the Program Assistant.

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.

The Program Officer for Foster Care will provide oversight and coordination of a continuum of Foster Care programs to ensure holistic, culturally competent services for unaccompanied refugee and migrant children and their families. This position acts as a liaison between LIRS partner organizations, LIRS, and federal foster care stakeholders. This position ensures the effectiveness and quality of services through supportive program management, monitoring, data management, trend analysis and evaluation, training, and technical assistance. This position involves close collaboration with Senior Program Officer for Foster Care to identify trends, opportunities to enhance program services, training needs and implement recommendations for effective quality service delivery.

This position will provide backup and support to the Associate Director for Foster Care, Senior Program Officer for Foster Care, fellow Program Officers for Foster Care, and the Program Assistant.

DUTIES

• Provide oversight and administration of Foster Care grants to network partner agencies including child welfare best practice, program management, and compliance with the LIRS cooperative agreement and ORR policies and procedures.
• Lead collaboration efforts with Foster Care partners engaged in service provision to unaccompanied migrant and refugee children. Responsible for network coordination, communication, and peer learning throughout the network.
• Provide support and technical assistance to partners related to issues of service delivery, documentation, reporting, LIRS, and Child Welfare best practices, as well as Federal obligations.
• Provide ongoing desk and onsite monitoring to Foster Care Partners to assess program functioning and compliance with State/ORR/LIRS standards, as well as to identify trends, service gaps, and evaluate service models.
• Identify training needs and program challenges, for the development of materials, resources, and tools to enhance the delivery of program services in accordance with recognized child welfare standards, LIRS Best Practices, and LIRS/ORR Policies and Procedures implementation.
• Assist with the writing of various governmental reports (quarterly, annual, and monitoring visit reports).
• In collaboration with Senior Program Officer for Foster Care, oversee network capacity and development, including recruitment, retention, and termination of partners throughout our network. Provide support for regular referral coordination throughout our network.
• Coordinate regular effective collaboration with LIRS partners, ORR, Voluntary Agencies, and other key stakeholders who are engaged in service provision to unaccompanied migrant and refugee children on various tasks.
• Assist the Senior Program Officer for Foster Care by ensuring coordination, collaboration, and information sharing on major developments, trends, activities, and initiatives are communicated effectively and efficiently.
• Represent LIRS Children's Services at assigned external meetings, training, or groups.
• Engagement in agency-wide activities and initiatives including all-staff meetings, working groups, or task forces, and implementation of strategic initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Social Work or other behavioral science.
• Minimum of three years of experience and knowledge of child welfare systems, principles, practices, and emerging trends.
• Minimum of three years of managerial experience with increasing roles and responsibilities in supervision, program management, implementation, and evaluation.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team and independently to establish priorities and exercise sound judgment in response to systems that are highly complex, sensitive, and confidential.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage collaborative partnerships across various systems.
• Demonstrated experience in providing training and technical assistance to internal staff and external partners.
• Experience and knowledge of legal and political issues related to immigration and child welfare.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact well with all levels of various systems.
• Experience with and commitment to working in a cross-cultural or diverse workforce.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English strongly preferred
• Valid driver's license and the ability to drive unrestricted are required
• Able and willing to travel 25% of annual time.
• 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.