URM Program Director

Requisition #: req10506

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)

Bethany is changing the world through family. We began our work by serving one child more than 75 years ago. Today, Bethany is an international Christian nonprofit partnering with communities in more than 30 states and in several countries around the world. We strengthen and preserve families, support displaced people fleeing danger, and find safe, loving families for children who need them. Bethany is at the forefront of creating and implementing solutions to meet the growing needs of vulnerable children and families in the U.S. and around the world.

As an Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) Program Director, you will be primarily responsible for overseeing the URM programs and services provided to clients in these programs. This individual is also responsible for directly supervising case management supervisors and monitoring the quality assurance and training of these programs and their staff. While serving as a site supervisor, this individual is responsible for providing weekly, unannounced rounds in the classrooms and/or all areas where children congregate to ensure safety, wellbeing, and best practice of care in these areas.

This position is expected to function effectively with little supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Direct, lead, and/or work collaboratively with all URM supervisors, licensing supervisors, clinical supervisors and Quality Assurance managers;
• Attend staff meetings to ensure effective and efficient service coordination;
• Provide weekly individual and team supervision to staff and interns, and meet with the Branch Director regularly;
• Build and cultivate a cohesive team and maintain positive staff morale;
• Prepare of the annual budget, goals and objectives and complete the monthly forecasting tool ensuring that all program budgets are operating within approved margins;
• Ensure written quarterly reports are in compliance with state and federal guidelines and other documentation to ensure they meet program expectations, as well as licensing and accreditation standards;
• Develop, update and maintain program operating manuals;
• Maintain awareness of current trends and theories, while also recommending changes in agency policies and practices when appropriate;
• Maintain, enhance, and develop positive relationships with referral sources, state and federal agencies, volunteer and community agencies, employers and individuals;
• Ensure effective operations through selection, training and orientation of new staff;
• Attend project teams and local and national meetings that will enhance provision of services to refugees;
• Manage vacation schedules to ensure adequate coverage and availability of services;
• Cultivate an environment where program staff model positive adult behaviors, while also nurturing youth and providing structure, support, respect, and trauma-informed care;
• Ensure program operations and services are consistent with the established agency, state, federal, and licensing standards and requirements;
• 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;
• Participate in public relations for the program when appropriate;
• Ensure all case recording expectations satisfy state and agency requirements;
• Collaborate with intake and referral teams to ensure appropriate capacity and placement of youth in programs;
• 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;
• Complete other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BSW or Bachelor’s level degree in Human Services, or equivalent field of study with at least five (5) years of experience working in a child welfare administration;
• MSW or Master’s level degree in Social Services, or equivalent degree in Education, Psychology, Sociology, or other relevant behavioral science degree from an accredited college with at least two (2) years of experience working in program management or as a director of a licensed childcare program, preferred;
• At least five (5) years of experience in foster care and/or refugee and immigrant services;
• Must have an ability to provide and/or obtain professional licensure or registration in the state of the work location;
• Bilingual Spanish/English fluency or other common languages spoken by refugee and immigrant populations, strongly preferred;
• Prior experience working with a diverse population, strongly preferred;
• Demonstrate excellent clinical, therapeutic and crisis intervention skills;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Computer and typing skills sufficient to perform essential job functions;
• Active motor vehicle license and maintain a reliable vehicle with adequate insurance coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment.

We value and embrace the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion; our culture is strengthened and our workplace is more dynamic. We are a global organization with multicultural staff, clients and stakeholders, so we strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. More work remains, but we are deeply committed to honestly acknowledging and addressing the impacts of race and racism throughout the organization. This work can be uncomfortable and even painful, but we believe that the greatest challenges bear the greatest rewards.