Program Director - Refugee and Immigrant Children

Bethany Christian Services; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Generous time off

Education reimbursement

Employee assistance program

Long-term disability

Group term life insurance

Job summary

Bethany Christian Services seeks a Refugee and Immigrant Children Program Director to lead program operations, supervise staff, and ensure trauma-informed care for youth. You will oversee multiple foster care and transitional locations, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with state and federal standards.

The role requires advanced degrees in human services, supervision experience, and bilingual abilities (English/Spanish preferred), with a strong commitment to faith-based service and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related field.
• Master's degree with 2+ years in program administration at a child welfare agency.
• Active Child Welfare Certification and/or licensure preferred.
• Experience supervising staff and program oversight.

Responsibilities

• Attend staff meetings to ensure effective and efficient service coordination.
• Direct, train, and develop all direct reports and others as needed.
• Oversee TAC, TFC, and LTFC locations to ensure quality service delivery.
• Ensure policies and procedures are enforced and staff evaluations completed.
• Maintain relationships with referral sources and community partners.
• Audit aftercare and transitions post placement and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with intake and referral teams for youth placement.
• Oversee training curriculum including trauma-focused and safety programs.
• Stay updated on trends and regulatory requirements affecting the program.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Trauma-informed

Crisis intervention

Confidentiality

Team collaboration

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work / related field

Master's degree in Social Work / related field

Active Child Welfare Certification

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Rooted in our Christian faith, Bethany Christian Services works to ensure children are safe, loved, and connected through family. Across 29 states, we strengthen families, support foster care and adoption, and walk alongside refugees with compassion. Here, living out your faith means using your gifts to bring hope and make a lasting impact.

Working at Bethany means joining a team of dedicated professionals with diverse skills, serving communities across the country. Together, we’re united in our Christian mission and these shared values: We’re motivated by our faith, we support one another, we champion justice, we pursue excellence, and we’re in it for the long haul. As a Refugee and Immigrant Children Program Director, you’ll help carry this mission forward and make a meaningful impact every day.

How Your Role Makes a Difference

• Attend staff meetings to ensure effective and efficient service coordination;
• Regularly meet and partner with the Branch Director and other relevant leaders to ensure consistency of programming and to ensure the site is successfully executing service deliverables for refugee and immigrant children;
• Direct, train, and develop all direct reports and others if needed;
• Cultivate a trauma-focused environment where program staff model positive adult behaviors, while also nurturing youth and providing structure, support, respect, and active involvement to refugee and immigrant children;
• Assist the Branch Director with the preparation of the annual budget, goals, and objectives;
• Ensure program operations and services are consistent with the established agency, state, federal, and licensing standards and requirements;
• Overseeing the Transitional Assessment Center (TAC), Transitional Foster Care (TFC) and/or Long-Term Foster Care (LTFC) work locations to ensure effective operations that meet client needs and quality standards;
• Ensure agency policies and procedures are enforced through completion of staff evaluations, conference request, time sheets and reimbursement vouchers;
• Maintain, enhance, and develop positive relationships with referral sources, community agencies, and community progressions;
• Coordinate Residential policy and procedures committee, while ensuring policy consistency and contract regulations;
• Participate in public relations for the program when appropriate;
• Ensure all case recording expectations satisfy state and agency requirements;
• Oversee training curriculum and compliance to include but not limited to the CPI program, refugee and immigrant children training, First Aid/CPR, and new employee orientation;
• Collaborate with intake and referral teams to ensure appropriate capacity and placement of youth in programs;
• Audit and oversee the appropriate aftercare and transitions post placement;
• Stay up to date on current trends and theories related to the program, while proactively recommending changes to agency policy and practice, as necessary;
• Participate in speaking engagements, courses and learning experiences, when necessary;
• Implement and enhance the use of the trauma-responsive Sanctuary model of care;
• Stay abreast of all agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements related to social services;
• Essential job responsibilities may vary based on the specific needs of each program/department;
• May be required or asked to participate in a Bethany sponsored event;
• Complete other duties as assigned.

What Will Make You Successful

• Bachelor's level degree in Social Work, Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, Consumer or Community Services, Criminal Justice, Family Ecology, Sociology or other relevant human behavioral science degree from an accredited college with at least five (5) years of experience in program administration at a child welfare agency;
• Master's level degree in Social Work, Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, Consumer or Community Services, Criminal Justice, Family Ecology, Sociology or other relevant human behavioral science degree from an accredited college with at least two (2) years of experience in program administration at a child welfare agency;
• Active Child Welfare Certification and/or licensure in the state of Pennsylvania, preferred;
• Previous supervisory and program oversight experience;
• Federal grant oversight experieince, preferred;
• Refugee community experieince, preferred;
• Bilingual in English with a secondary language in Spanish or other common languages spoken by refugee and immigrant populations, strongly preferred;
• Demonstrated experience with trauma and working with refugee or immigrant youth;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Must have an ability to provide excellent and compassionate customer service;
• Ability to work independently and exercise a high level of confidentiality;
• Demonstrated clinical, therapeutic and crisis intervention skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively on a multi-disciplinary team;
• Mature and stable judgment, sensitivity to various cultures and the unique history of refugees;
• Successfully pass a TB test annually and document preference to receive or decline Hepatitis immunization;
• Ability to pass required medical exam and have the physical ability to fulfill essential functions, to include but not limited to physical restraints of a resident;
• Computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite;
• Must be 21 years old with a valid driver’s license with at least 3 years of driving experience in the U.S. to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany;
• Must pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of adequate insurance coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Exhibit integrity and good moral character to provide appropriate care;
• Possess the relevant experience and/or qualifications to work with these clients and clients with special needs; and,
• Be properly trained and licensed, as necessary;
• Must be able to show proof of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route:
• TDap or Tdap: Complete primary vaccination series. If primary vaccination series completed in childhood, one Tdap dose in adulthood.
• Results of medical examination (as required by State Licensing, including results of TB tests and immunization records).
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Commitment to Unity.

We Invest in You

• Experience a team environment with other professionals who are motivated by faith, support one another, pursueexcellence, and are in it for the long haul
• Access to training, professional development, and career growth opportunities
• Comprehensive health insurance(medical,dental,andvision)
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match eligibility
• Generoustimeoff(11paidholidays,PTOYour Way,paidparentalleave,separatesickandpaidabsencebanks)
• Access to education reimbursement for those that qualify
• Comprehensive employee assistance and wellness program
• Employerpaidlong-termdisabilityandgroup termlifeinsurance