Managing Attorney

4-4 yrs required

Full-time

No

Job Type
Regular, Full Time
Salary
$82,356-$91,507 p/yr
Required Experience
4+ years
Required Education
Master's Degree
Job Description

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights is currently seeking a Managing Attorney to join their team in Grand Rapids, MI. This full-time position will require the candidate to supervise a interdisciplinary team of Staff Attorneys, Social Workers, and administrative staff in Grand Rapids. The Managing Attorney will work closely with their direct supervisor Deputy Program Director (DPD) to ensure the office meets case deliverables and program metrics, produces high quality work, and aligns advocacy strategies with the Child Advocate program’s approach and best practices. This position will also be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with local stakeholders, including government field staff, facility staff, legal service providers and immigration judges. The Managing Attorney will join a team of Managers who manage the program sites or national program components, and work to establish consistent interdisciplinary practices, ensure compliance with funding and program requirements, and support program growth. The ideal candidate will have a . and license to practice law, 4+ years of experience working with immigrants and/or children and youth, and 1+ year of management experience.

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. Our role is to identify and advocate for the best interests of immigrant children both while they are in federal custody and after they are released. Through a multidisciplinary approach that involves policy-related advocacy and direct service, we advocate for the best interests of immigrant children through a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive lens. The Young Center has offices in Houston, San Antonio, and Harlingen, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Washington, .; Phoenix, Arizona; and Los Angeles, California. We also serve children through programs in New Jersey and Western Michigan.

Responsibilities:
• Hire and supervise performance, workflow, and professional development of individual supervisees, including weekly meetings with each direct report, performing 90-day and quarterly reviews, and providing ongoing feedback and support.
• Ensure supervisees implement established policies, procedures, and best practices including but not limited to case strategy; volunteer training, recruitment and retention; and management of case and volunteer data systems
• Lead weekly case rounds and staff meetings, and conduct meetings as needed to ensure high quality work product and identify trends and areas for advocacy.
• Guide staff on effective and creative approaches to interdisciplinary case strategy, including oral and written best interests determinations for submission to stakeholders (immigration judges, USCIS, ORR, ICE, etc.); apply federal, state, and international law, including but not limited to immigration and child-welfare law, to best interests advocacy strategies
• Advise the Child Advocate Supervisors to develop and draft clear and persuasive interdisciplinary written and oral best interests determinations.
• Consult on complex cases with the DPDs (Social Worker and Attorney), and when necessary, participate in national complex case rounds or Best Interests Determination panels.
• Oversee the recruitment, training, support, and retention of volunteer Child Advocates.
• In collaboration with the DPDs, develop strategic partnerships in the Grand Rapids area to support the work of Child Advocates and meet regularly with local stakeholders (government field staff, facility staff, immigration judges, ICE officers and legal service providers).
• Oversee local stakeholder engagement, and challenges with stakeholder engagement, serve as a point of contact for stakeholder relationships, coordinate presentations to local stakeholders, attend case staffing or other stakeholder meetings, and speak about the Child Advocate Program at local, regional, and national events.
• Ensure the site team meets case deliverables and program metrics for the government contract and private grants; manage site budgets.
• Produce accurate and timely data management to inform monthly reports to the government and private funders regarding children served, case outcomes, program metrics, and trends observed.
• Foster a supportive, collaborative work culture, leading and motivating staff to engage in creative, thoughtful, high-quality, and effective advocacy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
• . and license to practice law
• Generally, 4+ years of experience working with immigrants and/or children and youth
• Generally, 1+ year management experience (including but not limited to staff supervision, supervision of volunteers, or other activities such as oversight of program or project deliverables)
• Legal analysis, negotiation, and mediation skills
• Commitment to the interdisciplinary model in both Child Advocate casework and staff management
• Aptitude and thoughtfulness in working with children and promoting child-centered advocacy
• Effective communication skills, including ability to liaise across various stakeholders, program management, and volunteers
• Leadership, team building, critical thinking, and creative problems solving skills
• Excellent case and project management skills
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and proactively address programmatic needs
• Ability to work collaboratively, effectively, and creatively as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Commitment to a culture of feedback and continuous learning
• Commitment to learn and advocate for workplace practices in alignment with diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism principles
• Commitment to intercultural responsiveness, sensitivity and awareness, and cross-cultural communication skills and responsive practices
• Manage referrals, assist staff in developing interdisciplinary case advocacy strategies, oversee court preparation and manage support on all cases
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Zoom, and 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

Not specified

Health/Dental/Vision Insurance, Paid Vacation, Sick Time, 401(k) Plan with Employer Match

English/Spanish or other languages spoken by the population served.

Legal Analysis, Negotiation, Mediation, Staff Supervision, Case Management, Project Management, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Communication, Leadership, Team Building, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Writing, Bilingual

Not specified

Apply on the Young Center website with a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references.

Qualification and Experience J.D. and License to Practice Law, Master's Degree

Legal