Unaccompanied Child Advocate  

Unaccompanied Child Advocate

Job posted by: Americans for Immigrant Justice

IMPORTANT NOTICE: As of November 5, 2024, Americans for Immigrant Justice has revised its recruitment efforts. If you applied on or before this date, and you remain interested in a position, you must re-apply by emailing your full application materials (cover letter, resume, and a list of at least three references) to careers@aijustice.org. Please include the title of the position sought in the email subject line.

Job description

CHILDREN'S LEGAL PROGRAM UNACCOMPANIED CHILD ADVOCATE POSITION 

Agency Background:

Americans for Immigrant Justice (AI Justice – formerly FIAC), a not-for-profit law firm founded in 1996 to protect and promote the basic human rights of immigrants, has a multicultural and multilingual staff. AI Justice has represented clients from around the world and is recognized as a powerful advocate and national leader for immigrants' rights. AI Justice works closely with traditional civil rights organizations as well as with grassroots organizations and local, state and national government officials to effect positive change in immigration policies.

DUTIES:

AI Justice is seeking a qualified Unaccompanied Child Advocate for its work in providing legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children in the custody of Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) or released in the community. Advocates may be assigned to primarily assist and coordinate in person legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children detained in local ORR facilities or in person post-release initial services (PILS) to unaccompanied immigrant children who were released from ORR custody to South Florida without legal services.

The advocate will be responsible for following duties:

1. Coordinate and provide in-person “Know Your Rights” (KYR) presentations and individual legal screenings for detained unaccompanied minors in local ORR facilities or released unaccompanied minors.
2. Coordinate and provide virtual “Know Your Rights” (KYR) presentations and legal screenings for unaccompanied minors who were released from local ORR facilities to anywhere in the U.S. without legal services.
3. Facilitate referrals to other legal service providers.
4. Participate in regularly scheduled calls and in-person meetings with stakeholders and team members.
5. Work closely with various government agencies and social service providers.
6. Conduct daily case management, performing clerical duties such as data entry, filing and database maintenance.
7. Ensure necessary reporting data is accurately captured and updated.
8. Support attorneys by conducting follow-up meetings, requesting records, organizing legal documents, completing and preparing applications for review by the attorney.
9. Interpret for clients and/or attorneys at interviews, hearings or presentations and prepare written translations of documents as needed; and
10. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Fluency in written and verbal Spanish and/or Haitian Creole required. Speakers of Mayan languages strongly encouraged to apply.
• Given contractual requirements, non-Spanish speakers are required to take a fully funded Spanish class during their work hours.
• The ideal candidate for this position will be energetic, friendly and responsible;
• Ability to work independently and under pressure;
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple attorneys and staff members;
• Ability to work well with people of diverse educational, cultural and professional backgrounds;
• Ability to adapt to a high-volume workload with fast changing deadlines and priorities;
• Experience working with children preferred;
• Demonstrated commitment to advocating on behalf of immigrant rights and/or children’s rights;
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and other Office applications required;
• Must have own transportation as travel is required; and
• Must be willing to submit to an extensive background check, including FBI, statewide repository, and sex offender registry checks.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

Location: South Florida (Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward, Palm Beach, Collier, and Lee Counties). Position eligible for work from home, hybrid, or in-office designation in accordance with AI Justice Job Classification Policy. Client meetings must be conducted in person. The position is full time with a work schedule of 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST.

Salary & Benefits: Salary starts at $46,000. AI Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package, including excellent health, vision, and dental, and life insurance coverage; 15 paid days of vacation leave; 13 paid holidays; 10 paid health days; 1 personal day. It also includes a TriRail discount commuter benefit and $50/month cell phone stipend to off-set communication expenses. After one year of employment, staff are entitled to paid parental leave and up to 3% matching employer contribution to 403(b) retirement plan with increase eligibility thereafter.

How to apply

AI Justice is an EOE/AA employer and we strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented groups. We value strength in diversity and inclusion within our office and are actively working towards providing an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment free from discrimination for all.

Please submit cover letter, resume, and 3 references to careers@aijustice.org, with subject line "CHILDREN’S LEGAL PROGRAM UNACCOMPANIED CHILD ADVOCATE" 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: As of November 5, 2024, Americans for Immigrant Justice has revised its recruitment efforts. If you applied on or before this date, and you remain interested in a position, you must re-apply by emailing your full application materials (cover letter, resume, and a list of at least three references) to careers@aijustice.org. Please include the title of the position sought in the email subject line.

Interviews: Top candidates will be invited to interview and submit references.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Fluency in written and verbal Spanish and/or Haitian Creole required. Speakers of Mayan languages strongly encouraged to apply.

Given contractual requirements, non-Spanish speakers are required to take a fully funded Spanish class during their work hours.