Staff Attorney, Grand Rapids

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights•Grand Rapids, MI

6d•$72,160 - $82,103

About The Position

Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights invites applications for the full-time position of Staff Attorney to be based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This position is a unique opportunity for an attorney to join a passionate team made up of social workers, attorneys, and administrative staff, to engage in interdisciplinary written and oral best interests advocacy on behalf of children in immigration removal proceedings. Young Center is appointed as independent Child Advocate for unaccompanied and separated immigrant children and advocates for their best interests with respect to their custody, placement, conditions of release, reunification with caregivers, repatriation, and their immigration proceedings. Young Center does not directly represent children in immigration matters but works closely with the legal service providers who may represent the children’s legal interests. The Staff Attorney will help recruit, train, and supervise bilingual and bicultural volunteer Child Advocates—teachers, law students, social workers, community members—who will work one-on-one with children. The Staff Attorney will apply their legal knowledge and skills to identify issues impacting children’s rights and best interests. Young Center team is a passionate and collegial group of professionals committed to ensuring that children receive the full protection of federal immigration law, domestic child welfare law and international human rights law. This position is funded primarily through a federal contract and is contingent on on-going renewals. ABOUT THE YOUNG CENTER The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights is a national organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights and best interests—safety and well-being—of immigrant children in the United States. The Young Center’s Child Advocate Program (CAP) serves as the federally-appointed bests interests representative for unaccompanied and separated immigrant children in federal custody. Through CAP’s state initiative, we also serve and are appointed by the Superior Courts of New Jersey as independent Child Advocates to children released from federal custody into the New Jersey community. Child Advocates meet with children and learn their stories in order to identify and advocate for their best interests through an interdisciplinary, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive lens. The Young Center’s Policy Program fights for wholesale reform of the immigration system while pursuing immediate changes in policy and practice that center children’s rights and best interests in all decisions. The Technical Assistance Program, the Young Center’s newest program, offers intersectional expertise and critical resources to advocates and service providers working with immigrant children involved in child welfare and other state court systems. The Young Center has offices in Houston, San Antonio, and Harlingen, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Washington, D.C.; Phoenix, Arizona; Los Angeles, California; and Grand Rapids, Michigan. We also serve children through our programs in New Jersey.

Requirements

J.D. and license to practice law or ability to acquire license within the first year of employment
Generally, has prior 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

Lived experience that lends insight into supporting immigrant children and their families
Understanding of the impact of trauma on children and familiarity with a trauma-informed approach to advocacy
Background and/or demonstrated interest in immigration law, juvenile law, or other areas of law impacting children

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 Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids 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