If you are passionate about transforming communities with a mission-driven organization, then we have the opportunity for you!

Since 1939, 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, conducts policy advocacy, and advances 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, vision available 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 4% 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 Program Officer for Pre-Arrival, the Program Specialist for Pre-Arrival will support the Pre-Arrival Services team in creating a strong foundation for the successful placement of refugee clients throughout the LIRS network. As a core function of the Department of State Bureau of Populations, Refugees and Migration's (PRM) Reception and Placement program, this work will be carried out through accurate, timely and responsive technical processing of refugee cases. The Specialist will work directly with the Refugee Processing Center (RPC), Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs), International Office of Migration (IOM) and affiliate partners within the LIRS network to achieve this goal.

DUTIES

• Work with a team to fulfill contractual requirements and timeliness of pre-arrival processing activities as required in the PRM Reception and Placement Cooperative Agreement.
• Review, correct and submit complete and accurate family reunification petitions for the family reunification programs to reunite refugees overseas with their family in the U.S.
• Assist with the processing and placement of refugee cases to LIRS affiliate partners throughout the U.S.
• Research and respond to inquiries about LIRS cases and family reunification petitions, as well as general inquiries from refugees and the public.
• Provide support, technical assistance, and at times training to the LIRS network on pre-arrival functions, travel and family reunification functions.
• Track and document refugee arrival and family reunification trends and data for program management purposes.
• Support the development of training modules and live webinars, as needed for the LIRS network on pre-arrival topics.
• Support the dissemination of resources and information to the network.
• Provide support for other pre-arrival and unit work, as needed.
• Additional duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree or a minimum of 1-2 years of related work experience working with the Department of State's Reception and Placement Program, recommended or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with refugee databases including IRIS and RPC databases (RSHARE, WRAPS), preferred
• Excellent MS Office Suite skills, particularly in Word and Excel, required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to details and accuracy while adhering to compliance standards.
• Ability to work independently while demonstrating a flexibility to adapt to the needs of the team.
• Experience with and commitment to working in a fast-paced and diverse work environment.
• Deep commitment to LIRS's core values and ability to model those values in relationships with colleagues and partners.

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.