National Staff Attorney

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights•Chicago, IL

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights invites applications for the full-time position of National Staff Attorney. This role will primarily provide case work coverage for outages across child advocate program sites and support efforts to meet national case deliverables. It offers a unique opportunity to join an interdisciplinary team of social workers, attorneys, and administrative staff, engaging in written and oral best interest advocacy for children in immigration removal proceedings. The Young Center is appointed as an independent Child Advocate for unaccompanied and separated immigrant children, advocating for their best interests in custody, placement, conditions of release, reunification, repatriation, and immigration proceedings. The organization does not directly represent children in immigration matters but collaborates closely with legal service providers. The Young Center team is committed to ensuring children receive full protection under federal immigration law, domestic child welfare law, and international human rights law. This position is primarily funded through a federal contract, contingent on ongoing renewals. The Young Center is a national organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights, best interests, safety, and well-being of immigrant children in the United States, focusing on centering children's voices and their need to be with family and in community. For over 20 years, the Young Center has advocated for more than 10,000 children globally, employing an integrated approach through direct services, stakeholder support, systems and narrative change, and litigation. The organization strives for greater equity in the child welfare system, demanding accountability to ensure children in immigrant families remain safe, free, and supported. The Young Center operates offices in Houston, San Antonio, Harlingen, Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, and also serves children in New Jersey.

Requirements

J.D. and license to practice law or ability to acquire license within the first year of employment
3+ years of experience working with children and/or youth, trauma survivors, or migrant/refugees/unaccompanied children to demonstrate an understanding of the population we serve. This may be first-hand experience or demonstrated interest in the field (coursework, internships, volunteer opportunities, etc.).
Legal analysis, negotiation, and mediation skills
Effective communication skills, including ability to liaise with various stakeholders, colleagues, and volunteers
Excellent case management skills
High-level organizational skills
Ability to work independently, take initiative, and proactively address case needs
Demonstrated ability to work effectively and creatively as part of an interdisciplinary team
Ability to work in a flexible, evolving environment, adapt to situations, and manage change effectively
Commitment to a comprehensive culture of feedback, including seeking and providing positive and constructive feedback and engaging in productive conversations
Commitment to learn, both as an individual and as part of an organization, and apply diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or anti-racism principles
Ability to effectively engage across different cultures, identities, and ethnicities
Strong writing skills
Aptitude and thoughtfulness in working with children and promoting child-centered advocacy
Proficient in Microsoft Office products, Zoom, Adobe Acrobat, and willingness to learn new technology and/or platforms
Bilingual ability (oral and written) in English/Spanish or English/ other languages spoken by the population we serve

Nice To Haves

Experience—lived, volunteer, or professional—with immigration matters

Responsibilities

Advocate for children's best interests before government or other interested parties
Supervise volunteers appointed as Child Advocate for unaccompanied and separated children in federal custody in or near our program locations and across the United States as needed
Serve as Child Advocate to a select number of cases or as needed
Visit children (virtually or in-person as needed) and communicate with caregivers, family members and stakeholders
Provide internal case consultation and case support involving the state, federal, and international best interests legal principles and immigration law
As needed, support the local and national efforts to recruit, train, and retain volunteer Child Advocates
Participate in internal and external working groups as needed
In collaboration with site Manager(s) and team(s), meet regularly with local stakeholders (government field staff, facility staff, immigration judges, ICE officers and legal service providers) and attend case staffings
Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders or organizations in the community
Assist the team(s) in meeting case goals and other deliverables for the government contract and private grants
Assist with accurate and timely data management to inform reports to the government, other funders, and internal Young Center departments regarding children served, case outcomes, program metrics, and current trends
Participate in a supportive, collaborative work culture that allows for creative, thoughtful, high-quality, and effective interdisciplinary advocacy
In collaboration with site-specific Managing Social Workers and/or Deputy Program Director (Social Worker), consult with social worker colleagues to develop child-centered advocacy through a trauma-informed lens that identifies and advocates for the best interests of unaccompanied and separated children
Under the supervision of site-specific Managers and with input from the Deputy Program Directors (Attorney and Social Worker), draft and submit best interests determinations to immigration judges, asylum officers, attorneys, and federal agencies, applying state, federal, and international law and incorporating social science research and social work best practices, including, but not limited to trauma informed and culturally sensitive approaches
Actively engage with colleagues and supervisors in developing and editing interdisciplinary best interests determinations
Accompany children to court hearings and interviews related to their immigration case
Under the supervision of the Deputy Program Director (Social Workers), assess which children may need additional supportive and/or mental health services and accompany them to appointments as needed
Other duties as assigned