Head of Program

Global Refuge; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision on day one

PTO and holidays

Parental leave & FMLA

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Global Refuge in the United States is seeking a visionary Head of Program for Foster Care to lead and oversee the immigrant children foster care program, ensuring high-quality services, compliance, and alignment with federal and state policies.

Reporting to the Associate Director, you will manage the program team, collaborate with partners and headquarters, supervise staff, drive program development, and maintain strong stakeholder relations.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work with clinical experience and Maryland licensure (LCSW-C).
• Board-approved supervisor in the state of Maryland.
• 2+ years of experience in program management or as director of a licensed childcare program.
• Fluency in Spanish (strongly preferred).
• Prior experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations (preferred).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including interpersonal communication, group leadership, public speaking and persuasive writing.
• Ability to work under stress in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and multitasking capabilities, navigating competing priorities and deadlines.
• Active motor vehicle license, clean driving record, and a reliable automobile with adequate insurance coverage.
• Ability to pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries.
• Up to 10% travel required including escorting youth to family unifications by car and air.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, oversight and administration of foster care services for immigrant children including child welfare best practices, program management, and compliance with the Global Refuge cooperative agreement and Federal and state policies and procedures.
• Act as the Chief Administrator for Global Refuge's child placing license.
• Supervise direct employees to ensure quality service is delivered in accordance with changing work demands, agency standards, and licensing requirements.
• Maintain the delivery of quality services that are consistent with state licensing and standard operating practices.
• Coordinate regular effective collaboration with Global Refuge partners and other key stakeholders who are engaged in service provision to immigrant children.
• Ensure effective program operations through staff selection, hiring, training and development.
• Facilitate team cohesion through meetings with staff on a collective and individual level.
• Proactively seek out, engage, and follow through in communication and action with staff as well as internal and external stakeholders in order to ensure a solid program structure.
• Oversee compliance of the policies and procedures that govern annual employee evaluations, employee leave requests, and timesheet management. Oversee the timely preparation and submission of documentation for services and reporting purposes.
• Monitor and assess child placement activity and family resettlement, while remaining apprised of foster care and resettlement planning and decision making.
• Maintain current knowledge of child welfare concerns, refugee and immigrant updates, internal and external issues, legislative trends, and practices.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with contractors, referral sources and partner agencies.
• Foster peer-to-peer learning in network through conference calls, newsletters, and facilitation of conferences.
• Develop new program proposals in coordination with direct foster care providers and states.
• Provide crisis intervention and guidance to staff, as applicable.
• Provide office, school, offsite and in-home support services to clients and foster parents as needed and in the absence of treatment team members.
• Work after hours and weekends as needed.
• Participate in and oversee a system of 24-hour on-call rotation to clients and foster parents, as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Staff supervision

Spanish language

Communication

Program management

Collaboration

Public speaking

Education

MSW with LCSW-C licensure (Maryland)

Job description

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

Reporting to the Associate Director for Foster Care, the Head of Program for Foster Care is responsible for the programmatic and operational management of the Global Refuge foster care program. The Head of Program provides vision and leadership to ensure quality service provision and coordination of services to immigrant children. This individual closely collaborates with the Associate Director and works closely with headquarters to ensure the successful provision of high-quality foster care services at Global Refuge, while managing the program team. In this role it is essential to maintain program efficiency and compliance and communicate effectively with key stakeholders. This position is expected to function effectively with minimal supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, state, and federal regulatory requirements. Global Refuge, formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), is a nonprofit serving newcomers seeking safety, support, and a share in the American dream. Since 1939, we have welcomed those seeking refuge, upholding a legacy of compassion and grace for people in crisis. We walk alongside individuals, families, and children as they begin their new lives in the United States through our work in refugee resettlement, care for children seeking safety in the US, and economic empowerment and employment. Our work also extends to Guatemala and Mexico, where we help young people with skills training and community reintegration. To date, we have served over 800,000 people from around the globe. Our comprehensive services leverage our extensive organizational expertise as well as government, community, and faith partnerships.

At Global Refuge, welcoming newcomers isn't just our duty-it's an inherent part of our identity, rooted in our Lutheran heritage and inspired values and serving as a testament to our unwavering commitment to those in search of refuge. Please join us as we make a difference in the lives of newcomers.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision available the first day of employment
• generous paid time off including 20 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave, 12 paid holidays
• 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave and up to 12 weeks of fully paid FMLA leave
• company 403(b) contribution of 3%, an additional 7% match which vests immediately

Responsibilities/Duties

• Provide leadership, oversight and administration of foster care services for immigrant children including child welfare best practices, program management, and compliance with the Global Refuge cooperative agreement and Federal and state policies and procedures.
• Act as the Chief Administrator for Global Refuge's child placing license.
• Supervise direct employees to ensure quality service is delivered in accordance with changing work demands, agency standards, and licensing requirements.
• Maintain the delivery of quality services that are consistent with state licensing and standard operating practices.
• Coordinate regular effective collaboration with Global Refuge partners and other key stakeholders who are engaged in service provision to immigrant children.
• Ensure effective program operations through staff selection, hiring, training and development.
• Facilitate team cohesion through meetings with staff on a collective and individual level.
• Proactively seek out, engage, and follow through in communication and action with staff as well as internal and external stakeholders in order to ensure a solid program structure.
• Oversee compliance of the policies and procedures that govern annual employee evaluations, employee leave requests, and timesheet management.Oversee the timely preparation and submission of documentation for services and reporting purposes.
• Monitor and assess child placement activity and family resettlement, while remaining apprised of foster care and resettlement planning and decision making.
• Maintain current knowledge of child welfare concerns, refugee and immigrant updates, internal and external issues, legislative trends, and practices.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with contractors, referral sources and partner agencies.
• Foster peer-to-peer learning in network through conference calls, newsletters, and facilitation of conferences.
• Develop new program proposals in coordination with direct foster care providers and states.
• Provide crisis intervention and guidance to staff, as applicable.
• Provide office, school, offsite and in-home support services to clients and foster parents as needed and in the absence of treatment team members.
• Work after hours and weekends as needed.
• Participate in and oversee a system of 24-hour on-call rotation to clients and foster parents, as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work with clinical experience AND licensure to provide clinical services in Maryland (LCSW-C).
• Board-approved supervisor in the state of Maryland.
• 2+ years of experience in program management or as director of a licensed childcare program, strongly preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish, strongly preferred.
• Prior experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations, preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including interpersonal communication, group leadership skills, public speaking and persuasive writing skills.
• Ability to work under stress in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and multitasking capabilities, navigating competing priorities and deadlines.
• Effective communication with stakeholders and timely provision of regular reports to funder regarding operations, services, and finances.
• Active motor vehicle license, clean driving record, and a reliable automobile with adequate insurance coverage.
• Ability to pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries.
• Up to 10% travel required including escorting youth to family unifications by car and air. Typically