Staff Attorney, Los Angeles

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights • Los Angeles, CA

21h • $83,106 - $95,160 • Onsite

About The Position

The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights seeks a full-time Staff Attorney based in Los Angeles, California. The attorney joins an interdisciplinary team of social workers, attorneys, and administrative staff to advocate for the best interests of unaccompanied and separated immigrant children in immigration removal proceedings. The Young Center is appointed as an independent Child Advocate and advocates on matters including children’s custody, placement, conditions of release, reunification with caregivers, repatriation, and immigration proceedings. It does not directly represent children in immigration matters, but works closely with their legal service providers.

The Staff Attorney applies legal knowledge to identify issues affecting children’s rights and best interests and helps recruit, train, and supervise bilingual and bicultural volunteer Child Advocates. The role includes written and oral advocacy informed by state, federal, and international law, social science research, and social work practices. The position is funded primarily through a federal contract and is contingent on ongoing renewals.

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 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 and 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 agencies and other interested parties.
• Supervise volunteer Child Advocates appointed to unaccompanied and separated children in federal custody in or near Los Angeles and elsewhere 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 for the Los Angeles office involving state, federal, and international best-interests legal principles and immigration law.
• Support local and national recruitment, training, support, and retention of 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 deliverables for government contracts and private grants.
• Maintain accurate and timely data for reports to government, funders, and internal departments regarding children served, case outcomes, program metrics, and trends.
• Contribute to a supportive and 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance for the employee 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