Staff Attorney, Harlingen

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights•Harlingen, TX

9d•$75,551 - $86,509•Onsite

About The Position

The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights is hiring a full-time Staff Attorney based in Harlingen, Texas. The attorney joins an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, social workers, and administrative staff to provide written and oral best-interests advocacy for unaccompanied and separated immigrant children in immigration proceedings. The Young Center is appointed as an independent Child Advocate and advocates for children’s best interests regarding custody, placement, conditions of release, reunification with caregivers, repatriation, and immigration proceedings. It does not directly represent children in immigration matters, but works with legal service providers who may represent their legal interests. The position helps recruit, train, and supervise bilingual and bicultural volunteer Child Advocates and applies legal knowledge to identify issues affecting children’s rights and best interests. The position is funded primarily through a federal contract and depends on ongoing renewals. The Staff Attorney advocates before government and other interested parties; supervises volunteers; serves as Child Advocate on a limited number of cases or as needed; visits children and communicates with caregivers, family members, and stakeholders; and provides internal legal consultation and case support. The attorney drafts and submits best-interests determinations under the supervision of the Managing Attorney, working with social work colleagues and incorporating state, federal, and international law, social science research, and social work best practices. The role also includes accompanying children to court hearings, interviews, and supportive or mental health appointments as needed; supporting volunteer recruitment and training; building community relationships; participating in working groups and stakeholder meetings; and contributing to contract and grant deliverables, data management, reports, and a collaborative interdisciplinary work culture.

Requirements

J.D. and license to practice law, or ability to acquire a license within the first year of employment.
At least 3 years of demonstrated child welfare or immigration law experience.
Legal analysis, negotiation, and mediation skills.
Effective communication skills, including the ability to liaise with 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 constructive feedback and engaging in productive conversations.
Commitment to learning and applying diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or anti-racism principles.
Ability to engage effectively across different cultures, identities, and ethnicities.
Strong writing skills.
Aptitude and thoughtfulness in working with children and promoting child-centered advocacy.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, Zoom, and Adobe Acrobat, and willingness to learn new technology or platforms.
Bilingual oral and written ability in English and Spanish or English and another language spoken by the population served.
Valid driver’s license and access to a car.

Nice To Haves

Lived, volunteer, or professional experience with immigration matters.

Responsibilities

Advocate for children's best interests before government or other interested parties.
Supervise volunteer Child Advocates serving unaccompanied and separated children in federal custody in or near Harlingen and across the United States as needed.
Serve as Child Advocate on a limited number of cases or as needed.
Visit children as needed and communicate with caregivers, family members, and stakeholders.
Provide internal case consultation and support involving state, federal, and international best-interests legal principles and immigration law for the Harlingen office.
Support local and national efforts to recruit, train, support, and retain volunteer Child Advocates.
Participate in internal and external working groups.
Meet with local stakeholders, collaborate on presentations, attend case staffings and stakeholder meetings, and speak about the Child Advocate Program at local, regional, and national events.
Develop and maintain relationships with community stakeholders and organizations.
Help the team meet case goals and other deliverables for government contracts and private grants.
Maintain accurate and timely data for reports concerning children served, case outcomes, program metrics, and trends.
Contribute to a supportive, collaborative work culture for effective interdisciplinary advocacy.
Consult with social worker colleagues, in collaboration with the site Managing Social Worker and/or Deputy Program Director (Social Worker), to develop child-centered, trauma-informed advocacy.
Under the Managing Attorney’s supervision 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 relevant law and incorporating social science research and social work best practices, including trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approaches.
Work with colleagues and supervisors to develop and edit interdisciplinary best-interests determinations.
Accompany children to court hearings and interviews related to their immigration cases.
Under the Deputy Program Director (Social Worker)’s supervision, assess children’s needs for additional supportive or mental health services and accompany them to appointments as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.