Assistant Director, The Haven

At Wayfinder Family Services, we understand the unique challenges facing some of our state’s most vulnerable children, youth and adults. Those with disabilities, those without a home of their own, those who have been abused and many, many more. We answer the call for them. We believe in the amazing potential in, and for, each and every one of them. And, together, we find a way to turn that potential into reality.  

Program and Role Summary:

Wayfinder’s The Haven opened in 2024 in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement, provides shelter and long-term foster care for unaccompanied children. The program assists children ages 0 to 17 and pregnant or parenting teenagers who enter the country alone and do not have a parent or legal guardian in the U.S. to care for them. The program includes a group home on our L.A. campus housing boys ages 12 to 17, basic foster care in family homes for children ages 0 to 17, and therapeutic foster care in the homes of trained families for children ages 0 to 17 with significant emotional, behavioral, medical or developmental needs. Wayfinder addresses these children’s complex, intertwined needs; provides stability; reduces trauma; and locates suitable sponsors.

The primary focus of the Assistant Director supervises the Facility Managers and Youth Counselors Group Home staff and manages resources and administrative processes to ensure the goals and objectives of the program are accomplished. This position requires skill in planning, budgeting, and evaluating projects, along with specific expertise in the program’s subject matter.  The AD serves as a secondary liaison with ORR.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Participates in agency-wide activities and initiatives, including all-staff meetings, working groups, or task forces and implementation of strategic initiatives.
• Leads Group Home staff in meeting the objectives of our federal obligations and standards, in accordance with external and internal agreements, in a manner that respects and encourages their individual gifts and skills and educates them regarding the tasks and skills required to meet objectives.
• Actively works to develop a team atmosphere within the unit and establish a supportive and productive work environment.
• Develops consistent, effective, and efficient practices regarding program service delivery and support to the partners who are implementing programs.
• Other duties as outlined in the position description.

Education and Experience:

• A master’s degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other relevant behavioral science discipline from an accredited university is required.
• A minimum of five years of progressive employment experience with a social services or childcare agency or organization is required.
• Combined five years of experience and knowledge of child welfare systems, principles, practices, and emerging trends (foster care preferred).
• Five years of progressive managerial experience with increasing roles and responsibilities in supervision, program management, implementation, and evaluation.
• Experience with refu