The Children’s Services Department (CSD), which includes the Home Study and Post Release Services (HSPRS) Program, is driven by a mission that promotes the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children as they reunify with their families across the United States. As a department, our approach to care is through a child-centric, culturally competent, and trauma-responsive lens that empowers the children and families we walk alongside.  To fulfill our mission, we employ shared guiding principles of integrity, compassion, cooperation, accountability and belonging. The Children’s Services Department launched inaugural programming to serve unaccompanied children in 2021. In 2025, in partnership with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), CWS provides home study and post release services throughout the United States.

 

This is a temporary position for approximately three (3) months. The assignment may end early or be extended predicated on funding.    

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home. 

The Senior Program Officer, Program Implementation, Post Release Services supports the Deputy Director, Program Implementation, HSPRS to administer the implementation of Post Release Services. Sr. Program Officer, PRS is responsible for translating ORR and CWS policy into practice and leading the development of tools and resources that promote high quality implementation of PRS services utilizing a trauma-responsive, strengths-based, culturally and linguistically competent approach to care. The Sr. Program Officer curates standard operating procedures, training and technical assistance resources for program implementation teams and provides supervision to program implementation teams geographically disbursed throughout the United States. The Sr. Program Officer closely collaborates on initiatives related to program monitoring and Home Studies.

 

Program Implementation:

 

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge on ORR Policy and Procedures. Analyze this information to inform the implementation of program delivery in alignment with CWS’ policy and procedures at all levels of Post Release Service delivery.
• Stay informed on ORR Policy and Procedures related to Home Studies.
• Generates content and revisions to program policies, standard operating procedures, training and technical assistance resources.
• Contribute, alongside the Technical Specialist, Program Implementation to develop and facilitate technical assistance spaces for program implementation teams.
• Responds to complex cases as they arise.
• Engages with ORR on complex cases and other points of contact as assigned.
• Ensure timeliness and accuracy of core service activities.
• Monitors compliance of core service activities and responds to issues that arise.
• Tracks core training activities for program implementation teams.
• Identifies implementation trends and contributes to adjustment in program delivery as relevant.
• Represents CWS in external forums as assigned to promote education on the program and population.

 

People Management:

• Promotes positive team morale, staff safety and well-being.
• Provides direct supervision to a team of 2-4 Program Implementation Teams and creates opportunities for mutual sharing of expertise across teams.
• Supports direct reports to create goals, learning and development and manage performance.
• Leads hiring efforts for vacant positions as needs arise.

Other:

• Serves as a mandated reporter and ensure reporting of suspected abuse or neglect in accordance with CWS policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education & Certifications:

 

• Master's degree in social work or equivalent degree in behavior sciences or a social service field required.
• Licensed or license eligible highly preferred but not required.

 

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years' experience working with children and youth, family reunification/ preservation, and or foster care/child welfare and previous work experience and interest working with foreign born populations is required.
• Minimum of 3 years demonstrated supervisory experience with progressive responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience in a non-profit environment.
• Experience supervising direct service teams geographically disbursed preferred.
• Experience delivering trainings on a virtual platform is highly preferred.

 

Skills:

 

• Written and Verbal Fluency in English and Spanish required.
• High level of competency in serving children with complex needs including trauma, abuse, limited prior relationship with the caregiver, trafficking and other vulnerabilities.
• High level of competency in crisis intervention and supervision of others in responding to complex and crisis situations.
• High level of competency in serving children using trauma-informed, culturally and linguistically competent approaches.
• High level of competency in safety and permanency planning in a complex environment.
• High level of competency in managing a diverse team with varying communication styles in a remote work environment.
• Proficiency working in databases.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to remain nimble, flexible and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.

• Able to sit for an extended period.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
• Remote position must have access to reliable internet and appropriate workspace.
• Standard work hours with occasional evening or weekend assignment.
• Successfully pass Motor Vehicle Records, SEA, FBI, and Child Abuse and Neglect Checks and federal Suitability Determination by third party vendor (not affiliated with CWS).
• Valid driver's license, personal vehicle and insurance required.
• Reasonable proximity to airport for occasional travel required (network conference, technical visits, program retreat, etc.).

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:    
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan                                               
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance                                                  
- Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days after 2 Years)  
- 14 Official Holidays  
- 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)                                      
- Life Insurance and AD&D                                             
- Long Term and Short-Term Disability                                                  
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)                                                 
- Health Savings Account                                               
- Flexible Spending Accounts