Associate Director For The Urd Program

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.

We are 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 Deputy Director for Children and Family Services, the Associate Director for the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Replacement Designee (URD) Program provides strong programmatic management and leadership and is responsible for the overall implementation, oversight, and quality of the URD program in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. This role closely collaborates with the Deputy Director for Children and Family Services to ensure the administrative and financial oversight of the program by working closely with ORR, the URM provider agency, and local DFW stakeholders.

DUTIES

• Provides leadership and accountability to the URD Program to ensure fulfillment of obligations on behalf of LIRS and URM provider agency.
• Responsible for writing, developing, and implementing policies and procedures for the administrative and financial oversight of the URD Program with the support of the Deputy Director for Children and Family Services.
• Oversee and manage expenditures related to service delivery of URM provider agency activities; analyze and assist in preparing annual budgets.
• Oversee the additional staff that will be hired once capacity requirements are met; liaise with the Referral Specialist for URM referrals to URM provider agency.
• Track, review, and provide feedback on ORR 3 and 4 reporting by the URM provider agency.
• Responsible for approving and providing appropriate follow-up for Administrative reviews conducted by the third-party reviewer in Texas.
• Attends and participates in stakeholder meetings with ORR, USCCB, and others, as scheduled.
• Responsible for knowing case trends and the changing needs of youth entering program, including new refugee populations being referred for U.S. resettlement, to inform program capacity development work with URM provider agency.
• Collaborates with federal, state and local stakeholders to address barriers to placement and capacity development.
• Responsible for knowing foster care licensing standards and processes in Texas to support URM provider agency.
• Significantly contribute to and manage reports to ORR on an annual and semi-annual basis.
• Remains knowledgeable of all federal government and LIRS/CFS guidelines, policies and procedures related to URM.
• Engages in LIRS/CFS quality assurance and evaluation activities, including annual monitoring trips and desk monitoring activities.
• Provides training and resources for URM provider agency staff as necessary.
• Participate 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

• Graduate degree in Social Work or other Behavioral Science.
• Combined five years of experience and knowledge of child welfare systems, principles, practices, and emerging trends.
• Five years of progressive managerial experience with increasing roles and responsibilities in supervision, program management, implementation, and evaluation.
• Experience in program development, administration, and budget oversight.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25%.
• Deep commitment to LIRS's core values and ability to model those values in relationships with colleagues and partners.

Special Position Requirements:

• Must be able to pass an FBI background check as well as a CA/N check for every state in which they have resided in the last five years.
• Must be over 21 years of age.

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.