Staff Attorney, Houston

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

4d • $75,551 - $86,509 • Onsite

About The Position

The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights seeks a full-time Staff Attorney based in Houston, Texas. The attorney joins an interdisciplinary team of social workers, attorneys, and administrative staff to provide written and oral best-interests advocacy for unaccompanied and separated immigrant children in immigration removal 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 is funded primarily through a federal contract and is contingent on ongoing renewals.

The Staff Attorney recruits, trains, supports, and supervises volunteer Child Advocates, and applies legal knowledge to identify issues affecting children’s rights and best interests. Under attorney and program leadership, the role involves drafting interdisciplinary best-interests determinations, consulting with social workers, engaging with stakeholders, and supporting the Houston office’s casework and program deliverables. The position includes visits and travel as needed, including accompanying children to hearings, interviews, and appointments.

The Young Center is a national organization dedicated to protecting and advancing immigrant children’s rights, best interests, safety, and well-being. It centers children’s voices and works to keep children safe, free, and with family and community. The organization has offices in several U.S. locations, including Houston, and serves children through programs in New Jersey.

Requirements

• J.D. and a 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 positive and constructive feedback and engaging in productive conversations.
• Commitment to continued learning and to 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 and platforms.
• Bilingual oral and written ability in English and Spanish or English and other languages 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 agencies and other interested parties.
• Supervise volunteer Child Advocates appointed to unaccompanied and separated children in federal custody in or near Houston and across the United States as needed.
• Serve as Child Advocate for 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 on state, federal, and international best-interests legal principles and immigration law for the Houston 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.
• Assist the team in meeting case goals and deliverables for government contracts and private grants.
• Maintain accurate and timely data for reports to government, funders, and internal departments on children served, case outcomes, program metrics, and trends.
• Contribute to a supportive and collaborative work culture focused on 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 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.
• Engage with colleagues and supervisors in developing and editing 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 whether children may need additional supportive or mental health services and accompany them to appointments as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents at no cost to the employee.
• Paid vacation.
• Paid sick time.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree