Staff Attorney, New York

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights•New York, NY

2d•$86,882 - $99,486•Onsite

About The Position

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights is seeking a full-time Staff Attorney in New York, New York. This role involves interdisciplinary advocacy for children in immigration removal proceedings, focusing on their custody, placement, reunification, and immigration cases. The Staff Attorney will recruit, train, and supervise volunteer Child Advocates, identify issues impacting children's rights, and collaborate with a team of social workers and attorneys. The position is funded by a federal contract and requires a commitment to protecting children's rights under immigration law, child welfare law, and international human rights law. The Young Center is a national organization dedicated to immigrant children's well-being, with a history of advocating for thousands of children and promoting equity in the child welfare system.

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 culture, identities, and ethnicities
Strong writing skills
Aptitude and thoughtfulness in working with children and promoting child-centered advocacy
Proficiency with 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
Valid driver’s license and access to a car

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 New York and across the United States as needed
Serve as Child Advocate to 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 case support involving the state, federal, and international best interests legal principles and immigration law for the New York office
Support the local and national efforts to recruit, train, support, and retain volunteer Child Advocates
Participate in internal and external working groups
Meet regularly with local stakeholders (government field staff, facility staff, immigration judges, ICE officers, and legal service providers); collaborate on presentations to local stakeholders; attend case staffings or other stakeholder meetings; and speak about the Child Advocate Program at local, regional, and national events
Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders or organizations in the community
Assist the team in meeting case goals and other deliverables for the government contract and private grants
Capture 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 the site Managing Social Worker 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 the Managing Attorney 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 Worker), assess which children may need additional supportive and/or mental health services and accompany them to appointments as needed
Other duties as assigned.