Children�s Services Child Specialist (Temporary)

The Child Specialist provides technical assistance, support, and guidance to LIRS affiliates, local partners and a network of professionals working within the area of unaccompanied children dealing with specific issues related to immigration proceedings, compliance with the DUCS Policy and Procedure Manual and other issues as they relate to the population.  The Child Specialist offers assistance in responding to crises and collaborates to develop effective interventions for children and their caregivers, identifying and addressing child welfare issues for unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children.

This is a full-time, temporary position. The position is anticipated to last from April 2012 until September 2012.

2. Identify needs, collaborate with colleagues to contribute to the development of materials, and provide for ongoing training to be provided to the network of children service providers ensuring that services are delivered according to recognized child welfare standards and in accordance with the agency contract.

3. Interpret and comprehend various documents outlining details of case specific issues provided to summarize case history and child's needs, and communicating these issues in detail to support the local workers ability to deliver services quickly comprehensively in a safe and secure manner.

4. Create, complete and contribute to various documents to be provided to partner programs/affiliates, including monitoring visit reports, quality assurance reviews, child specific service plans, post 18 plans, FR visits, ISP, SIRs, safety plans, action plans, quarterly, annual etc.  ensuring all reports are completed and submitted in accordance with  Federal requirements and professional standards. 

5. Conduct annual monitoring visits to affiliate programs to assess compliance with corrective actions and recommendations from annual monitoring.  Lead point of contact for programmatic and child specific needs.  Collaborate with Quality Assurance Coordinator on planning annual monitoring trips to assess program functioning. 

6. Identify needs for corrective action plans, development of corrective action plan in collaboration with Asst. Dir. and partners to ensure compliance, safety, security concerns.

7. Host conference calls between LIRS, Federal entities, and local partners  includes providing monthly updates on programs, cases, coordinating issues of concern, communicating challenges, troubleshooting systemic issues and crisis management.

8. Professional consultant within the decision making process for referrals to higher levels of care with the child's best interest at the center.

9. Keep comprehensive, detailed records and maintain up-to-date database entries within CSCMS.

10. Coordinate regular effective collaboration with ORR, USCCB and other partners engaged in service provision to unaccompanied children on various tasks (publications, research, conferences, etc.).

11. Report to Children's Services team on developing trends, best practices and challenges as they emerge within assigned regions.

12. Engagement in agency -wide activities and initiatives including all-staff meetings, working groups or task forces and implementation of strategic initiatives.

13. Engagement in ongoing professional development.

14. Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

1. Deep commitment to LIRS's core values and ability to model those values in relationships with colleagues and partners.
2. Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related human services field; Master's in Social Work preferred
3. At least 1 year experience in child welfare, case management, or working with immigrant or refugee children and/or families, within a community based service delivery agency.
4. Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Office software  
5. Manage complex projects and multilevel organizational relationships with a high degree of independence. 
6. Proven leadership, creative thinking, problem solving and administrative skills.
7. Demonstrated cross cultural skills and/or international experience.
8. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
9. Attention to detail in meeting reporting deadlines and  maintaining complete detail oriented case documentation
10. Experience with and commitment to working in a very diverse workforce.
11. Awareness of legal and political issues related to immigration
12. Maintain clear and consistent communication with the Associate Director and Children's Services Program Coordinator regarding case needs, trends, and other issues as they arise.
13. Ability to travel 10% of time.
14. Proficiency in Spanish preferred
15. Appreciation and respect for Lutheran beliefs and values, church member motivations and sensitivities. Participate in LIRS agency-wide activities.
16. Willingness to perform other job-related duties as assigned.

No phone calls please