HS/PRS Placement Specialist

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. 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 7% 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 HS/PRS Senior Program Officer, the HS/PRS Placement Specialist will engage collaboratively with the Children's Services unit in order to provide essential support services to LIRS local partner agencies, while also providing technical assistance to foster care and reunification affiliate staff and stakeholders. They will coordinate referral assurance and placement of unaccompanied refugee minors and unaccompanied children in federal custody to affiliates, as well as, continue support of migrant and refugee care through technical assistance, integration of child welfare best practices and standards, and ongoing communication.

DUTIES

• Coordinates placements of children into Home Study and Post Release Services network
• Accepts and processes home study and post-release service cases for refugee and migrant youth to partner providers and the LIRS case management team.
• Tracks capacity of the HSPRS network and works with CFS team members to ensure programs operate at 90% capacity or above.
• Responsible for knowing the current capacity of a national network for placement availability. Requires capturing, organizing, and analyzing significant data around openings, budgeted capacity, placement types and trends, capacity challenges, language and cultural appropriateness, and special services.
• Assists with required reports to funders.
• Accompany fellow Children and Family Services staff on annual site visits to provide technical assistance during training of partner network.
• Assists with the creation of reports and documents, such as those that reflect trends in practice.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent required (undergraduate degree in social work or a related field strongly preferred) in combination with 2 years' work experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with stakeholders and partners.
• Detail-oriented, with the ability to multi-task, and work well under pressure.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and critical thinking/problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work well as part of a team and independently.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with data entry, data management, and/or use of data management tools or software.
• Cross-cultural experience and cultural competency related to issues of diversity.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred
• Commitment to LIRS's core mission and values and an ability to model those values in relationships with colleagues and partners; commitment to empowering refugees and migrants.

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 at least 21 years of age
• Occasional Travel Required, less than 10%

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.