Program Director, URM

Overview

At Upbring, our team is united by a shared mission: to break the cycle of child abuse and advance the wellbeing of children, families and communities, empowering them to thrive. As servant-leaders, we lead by example, working passionately to create a brighter future for those we serve.  Every day, we strive to embody our core values:

 

• We are Warriors: Fierce, resilient, and courageous, we face challenges head-on with unwavering loyalty and passion.
• We are Servants: We dedicate ourselves to serving others, empowering those around us to thrive.
• We are Family: We work together as a supportive, caring community, creating a sense of belonging and strength.

Joining Upbring means becoming part of a family of passionate individuals who are fearless in their pursuit of lasting change. Together, we are making a difference, one life at a time.

 

Your Mission in Action

The Program Director is responsible for establishing and directing all aspects of program activities and services to meet the social, emotional, physical, psychological, and mental health well-being of the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM).  Overall management of the programmatic, administrative, financial, and operational systems related to the provision of regular and timely reports to Global Refuge, formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS), regarding operations, services, and finances, establishing a respective and supportive workplace environment, elevating any issues or concerns to the LIRS.  The Program Director is responsible for regularly exercising discretion and sound judgement when directing, supervising, and overseeing social service activities in accordance with Agency, LRIS and licensing standards and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide sufficient homes to meet URMR placement needs 
• Provide oversight and leadership of all program services and activities required to meet Agency and licensing standards and client’s Individual Service Plans (ISP)  
• Conduct referral and placement staff meetings 
• Ensure staff adheres to procedures and practices to maintain resident confidentiality 
• Regularly review the well-being and safety of the residents, responsible for review and reporting of the nature, severity, and frequency of risks 
• Monitor, review, and make recommendations for program activity improvements to ensure individual and group activities are developed and implemented to meet resident needs determined by their Individual Service Plan (ISP) 
• Provide support and intervention in crisis situations using established Agency policies and resident care philosophy 
• Monitor service delivery and make recommendations for improvement in staff development and management 
• Other duties assigned are dependent on any changes or requirements added to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Statement of Work (SOW) with Global Refuge  
• Other duties and projects assigned including completing Child Placement duties as needed 
• Coach and support staff to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources needed to optimize performance, ensure established program goals, and achieve operational excellence 
• Communicate with direct reports in periodic one-on-one meetings 
• Organize and deliver regularly scheduled staff meetings to communicate present, on-going, and future updates of pertinent information, projects, and initiatives 
• Work closely with the management team to interview, hire, and onboard new employees who are strong cultural fits for Upbring 
• Work in collaboration with leadership and the People and Culture Team to arrange training; when needed, coordinate and/or provide in-service training for staff development 
• Regularly review employee performance, including goals and progress, to provide developmental feedback: use applicable agency development tools to facilitate growth and development in staff 
• Draft and issue the 90-day and annual evaluations, along with supporting documentation, as per established procedures; work in collaboration with staff to set goals during evaluation periods 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field 
• CPMS (Child Placement Management Staff) credentialed 
• Five (5) years’ experience in program development and management 
• Two (2) years’ supervisory or management experience in program management or as a director of a licensed childcare program 
• Bilingual in English and Spanish based on service population  
• Must be 21 years of age or older per licensing requirements 
• Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to engage, motivate, and empower staff and promote a positive working environment 
• Strong people and interpersonal skills with the ability to work with very diverse groups of people 
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, and requests simultaneously 
• Demonstrated ability to clearly write case notes without grammatical errors, strong writing skills 
• Strong verbal communication skills with the effective use of tone and choice of words 
• Ability to de-escalate situations with calmness, professionalism, sensitivity, and within ethical boundaries always 
• Demonstrated ability to establish trust and a positive rapport with service population 
• Proficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field 
• LCSW, LMSW, LPC, or LMFT 
• LCPAA (Licensed Child-Placing Agency Administrator) 
• Advanced knowledge of minimum standards of Office of Refugee and Resettlement 

Travel

• This position may be required to travel as needed.

Perks at Upbring 

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays 
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more  
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Discounted Gym Memberships  

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time 
• Position works in a child facility and has constant exposure to children 
• Position requires frequent standing, walking and time in units/cottages which are areas where children reside 
• Lift, push, pull, move up to 25 lbs. 

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

 

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.