Staff Attorney

Min 1 yrs required

Full-time

No

Required Security ClearanceNone
Related CategoriesLegal/Lawyers, Non-profit/Community Service/Advocacy
Job Description

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights is seeking an experienced Staff Attorney to join their passionate and dedicated team in Houston, TX. This is a unique opportunity for an attorney to engage in interdisciplinary best interests advocacy on behalf of children in immigration removal proceedings. The Staff Attorney will play a key role in recruiting, training, and supervising bilingual and bicultural volunteer Child Advocates who will work one-on-one with children. They will also apply their legal knowledge and skills to identify and advocate for issues impacting children's rights and best interests. The Young Center is a national organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights and well-being of immigrant children in the United States.

About Young Center:
- National organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights and well-being of immigrant children in the United States
- Immediate focus is serving as Child Advocates for unaccompanied and separated immigrant children
- Offices in Houston, San Antonio, and Harlingen, TX; Chicago, IL; New York, NY; Washington, .; Phoenix, AZ; and Los Angeles, CA
- Serve children through programs in New Jersey and Western Michigan

Duties and Responsibilities:
- Advocate for children's best interests before government or other interested parties
- Supervise volunteers appointed as Child Advocates for children in federal custody in Houston and across the United States
- Serve as Child Advocate for a limited number of cases as needed
- Visit children as needed and communicate with caregivers, family members, and stakeholders
- Provide internal case consultation and support for the Houston office
- Support efforts to recruit, train, support, and retain volunteer Child Advocates
- Participate in internal and external working groups
- Meet regularly with local stakeholders and collaborate on presentations and events
- Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders and organizations in the community
- Assist the team in meeting case goals and other deliverables
- Capture accurate and timely data for reports to government and funders
- Participate in a supportive, collaborative work culture
- Consult with social worker colleagues to develop child-centered advocacy
- Draft and submit best interests determinations to immigration judges and other agencies
- Accompany children to court hearings and interviews
- Assess which children may need additional supportive and/or mental health services
- Other duties as assigned

Minimum Requirements:
- . and license to practice law or ability to acquire license within first year of employment
- Experience working with children, trauma survivors, or migrants/refugees/unaccompanied children
- Legal analysis, negotiation, and mediation skills
- Effective communication skills
- Excellent case management skills
- High-level organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and take initiative
- Ability to work in a flexible, evolving environment
- Commitment to a culture of feedback and diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Ability to effectively engage with different cultures, identities, and ethnicities
- Strong writing skills
- Aptitude for working with children
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and willingness to learn new technology
- Bilingual ability in English/Spanish or other languages spoken by the population served
- Valid driver's license and access to a car

Preferred Qualifications:
- Lived experience supporting immigrant children and their families
- Understanding of the impact of trauma on children
- Background or interest in immigration or juvenile law

Physical Demands:
- Regular attendance
- Keyboarding
- Sitting for long periods
- Driving
- Ability to use a computer, telephone, and copy machine
- Ability to travel within the .
- Occasional lifting
- May be requested to work weekends for trainings or events

COVID-19 Considerations:
- All employees must be fully vaccinated prior to first day of employment

Application Details:
- Clearance of background check and tuberculosis test is required
- Apply on the Young Center website with a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references

The Young Center is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. Reasonable accommodation will be made for disabled applicants.

Job Summary:
- Staff Attorney position with Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights in Houston, TX
- Full-time, regular position
- Salary range of $70,645-$78,495 p/yr, commensurate with experience
- Master's degree required
- Minimum of 1 year of experience
- No security clearance required
- Legal and non-profit/community service/advocacy categories

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights is dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights and well-being of immigrant children in the United States. They are seeking a Staff Attorney to join their team in Houston, TX. This is a full-time, regular position with a salary range of $70,645-$78,495 p/yr, commensurate with experience. A Master's degree is required, and a minimum of 1 year of experience is preferred. There is no security clearance required for this position, and it falls under the legal and non-profit/community service/advocacy categories. The successful candidate will have a . and license to practice law, experience working with children or trauma survivors, and effective communication and case management skills. They will also be able to work independently, take initiative, and adapt to changing situations. The Young Center is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and encourages applications from all qualified individuals.

Not specified

Health/dental/vision insurance (employee & dependents), paid vacation, sick time, 401(k) plan with employer match

Not specified

Legal Analysis, Negotiation, Mediation, Communication, Case Management, Organizational, Initiative, Interdisciplinary teamwork, Flexibility, Change Management, Feedback, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Anti-racism, Writing, Child Advocacy, Microsoft Office, Zoom, Adobe Acrobat, 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 or ability to acquire license within the first year of employment, Master's Degree

Legal