Program Director - Social Service jobs in Gaithersburg, MD

Job Description 

The Program Director oversees Transitional Foster Care (TFC) for Unaccompanied Children (UC) program design and implementation. The Program Director is committed to providing the highest quality of care and supervision of youth being served and ensures that foster parents receive training and support. The Program Director oversees organizational compliance with grants and contracts, manages effective delivery of services, and supervises Lead Teacher, Lead Case Manager, Compliance and Training Coordinator, Licensing and Recruitment Supervisor and other leaders and/or direct service reports within the program 

Essential Functions 

• Maintain current knowledge of the U.S. Resettlement Program;  

• Maintain current knowledge of all Refugee and Immigrant Services;  

• Develop and maintain written guidelines governing program operations  

• Interface with the Office of Newcomer Service (ONS), VDSS and the Office of Refugee Resettlement at the Department of Human Services;  

• Oversee the hiring, training, support and supervision of staff. Ensure that all staff are properly trained and given ongoing training opportunities including having a written staff training plan. Promote teamwork, coordinate the workload of staff, delegate responsibilities and maintain positive staff morale. 

• Administer the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Unaccompanied Children / Office of Refugee Resettlement (UC/ORR) policy and procedure in terms of intake procedures, reporting procedures and reunification procedure.Manage intake and referral process to ensure appropriate capacity and placement of youth in programs. 

• Attend staff meetings to ensure effective and efficient service coordination. 

• Conduct weekly meetings/follow-up with program leads to be updated on clients’ clinical and case status. 

• Work with Quality Assurance Coordinator to ensure policy consistency with DSS, ORR, COA, LIRS and other contracts regulations. 

• Ensure program operations and services are consistent with established agency, state, federal and licensing standards and requirements. 

• Maintain, enhance and develop positive relationships with referral sources, state and federal agencies, volunteer and community agencies, employers and individuals. 

• Participate in public relations for the program when appropriate. 

• Stay up to date on current trends and theories related to the program, while proactively recommending changes to improve practice and effectiveness of service. 

• Coordinate vacation schedules to ensure adequate coverage and availability of services. 

• Monitor budget by program to ensure fiscal integrity and wise management of financial resources. 

• Generate accurate and timely completion and submission of all documentation needed for monthly financial billing and reports. 

• Prepare and manage all reporting requirements as stipulated by contracts with Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS), or other contractors. 

• Conduct random programmatic audits of physical and electronic files to ensure quality of service provision and fulfillment of documentation requirements. 

• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, the Council on Accreditation and jurisdiction standards;  

• Develops an ongoing communication, support and training plan for staff and foster parents that ensures children and families are receiving the best possible care;  

• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications and Education Requirements 

Education  

• Master’s Degree in Social Work or a masters degree in a field related to social work such as but not limited to, sociology, psychology, special education, or counseling and at least four years casework service experience with children and families, two of which must be in a child placing agency. 

Experience 

• 2 years of supervisory experience  

• Case management experience 

• Experience and knowledge in the Foster Care Services in Virginia 

Other Requirements 

• Valid driver’s license 

• Clean driving record 

• A personal vehicle or access to a vehicle is a plus; valid vehicle insurance 

Preferred Skills 

• Knowledge of the United States Resettlement Program, and Virginia foster care laws and processes 

• Ability to supervise a diverse staff;  

• Excellent oral, written and inter-personal communication skills; strong public speaking/presentation skills;  

• Proficient in MS Office suite, Email-Google mail a plus, Windows 7;  

• Attention to detail and accuracy; strong organizational skills;  

• Ability to promote professional growth for program staff 

• Knowledge of community resources and services systems 

• General knowledge of fiscal management 

• Ability to operate and manage a culturally diverse workplace 

• Spanish speaking