Case Support Associate, New Jersey

Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights invites applications for a Case Support Associate (CSA) position to be based in New Jersey with occasional travel to the Young Center office in New York. The Case Support Associate will provide administrative support to Young Center Child Advocate Program cases that involve vulnerable immigrant children residing in New Jersey. In collaboration with the Deputy Program Director and the Child Advocate Supervisor, this position monitors all requests for Child Advocates and administratively supports all cases through closure. This is a state contract funded position subject to annual funding renewal. 

ABOUT THE YOUNG CENTER  

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. The Young Center’s Child Advocate Program (CAP) serves as the federally-appointed bests interests representative for unaccompanied and separated immigrant children in federal custody. Through CAP’s state initiative, we also serve and are appointed by the Superior Courts of New Jersey as independent Child Advocates to children released from federal custody into the New Jersey community. Child Advocates meet with children and learn their stories in order to identify and advocate for their best interests through an interdisciplinary, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive lens. The Young Center’s Policy Program fights for wholesale reform of the immigration system while pursuing immediate changes in policy and practice that center children’s rights and best interests in all decisions. The Technical Assistance Program, the Young Center’s newest program, offers intersectional expertise and critical resources to advocates and service providers working with immigrant children involved in child welfare and other state court systems. 

The Young Center has offices in Houston, San Antonio, and Harlingen, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Washington, D.C.; Phoenix, Arizona; Los Angeles, California; and Grand Rapids, Michigan. We also serve children through our programs in New Jersey. 

 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Manages referrals for Child Advocates from Legal Service Providers in New Jersey. Ensures that information is complete/accurate and follows up on pending referrals. Reports all updates regarding referrals to the Deputy Director and Child Advocate Supervisor. 
• Reviews and maintains case files, ensuring relevant documentation and stakeholder contact information are included and accurate. Flags issues or concerns for Child Advocate Supervisor. 
• With direction from the Child Advocate Supervisor, researches, compiles, and highlights resources that support the Child Advocate Program in advocating for a child’s best interests.  
• Prepares and submits court filings to New Jersey state courts (in-person or via email as local jurisdiction requires) and ensures the Child Advocate Supervisor receives all details and documentation to support that court hearing. 
• Routinely checks the Child Advocate Program case management system and uses this data to update Young Center trackers on case statuses, court preparation, and case closures. 
• Compiles and maintains contact information for a variety of stakeholders, which includes legal service providers, government agencies, and courts.  
• Supports the facilitation of communication between Child Advocate Program staff and the child, their families, and stakeholders. 
• Helps identify and share with the child relevant resources (including medical, mental health, or educational services) in their community. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

• At least 2 years of post-high school experiences that may include a combination of employment, community organizing, internships, student leadership and/ or volunteer experience. 
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.  
• Highly collaborative and willing to work creatively as part of an interdisciplinary team. 
• Detail oriented with strong organization skills, particularly as it relates to documenting and tracking information. 
• Ability to engage with a variety of audiences that include children and/or their families, colleagues, community partners, and volunteers. 
• Ability to follow up with key stakeholders to close gaps in information and answer pressing questions/concerns. 
• Resourceful and takes a proactive approach to problem-solving.  
• Ability to gather, summarize, and present large amounts of information. 
• Commitment to comprehensive culture of feedback, including seeking and providing positive and constructive feedback. 
• Desire to learn, both as an individual and as part of an organization, and apply diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or anti-racism principles. 
• Ability to effectively engage across different cultures, identities, and ethnicities.  
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products, Zoom, Adobe Acrobat, and willingness to learn new technology and/or platforms. 
• Fluent in English and Spanish (oral and written)  
• Basic data collection and analysis ability. 
• High School Diploma required, college degree a plus. 
• Valid driver’s license and access to car and other modes of transportation. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Lived, volunteer, or professional experience with immigration, child welfare and issues affecting migrant/refugees/unaccompanied children. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

Physical demands include regular attendance; keyboarding; sitting for long periods (at least 5 hours a day); driving and/or using public transportation in site location and surrounding areas. Ability to use computer, telephone, and copy machine. Ability to travel by plane, car, and other conveyances within U.S. 

COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS 

All employees must be fully vaccinated prior to first day of employment except were prohibited by state law.  

APPLICATION DETAILS 

A criminal background check will be conducted.  

The Young Center is an "at-will" and equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in and affirmatively factors diversity into its hiring practices. Young Center encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, marital or parental status, pregnancy, citizenship, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, genetic information, or veterans’ status. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process; no application will be penalized for requesting an accommodation. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.