Case Support Associate, Harlingen

Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights invites applications for a Case Support Associate (CSA) position to be based in Harlingen. The Case Support Associate will provide administrative support to Child Advocate Program cases that involve vulnerable, unaccompanied, and separated immigrant children, including children who U.S. immigration authorities separated from their family. In collaboration with the site Manager and Child Advocate Supervisors, this position monitors all requests for Child Advocates and administratively supports all cases through closure. In addition, the CSA actively engages with the National Program Manager and CSAs across the organization, supporting the implementation of national best practices for case and data management strategies.

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 requests for Child Advocates (or referrals) from public, institutions, and organizations. Ensures that information is complete/accurate and follows up with key stakeholders to gather additional information on pending referrals. Identifies potential areas of advocacy for pending referrals. Reports all updates regarding referrals to the Manager(s).
• Requests, reviews and maintains case files, including accurate and relevant documentation and stakeholder contact information. Raises issues or concerns for Child Advocate Supervisors. Supports the case closure process.
• With direction from Child Advocate Supervisors, researches, compiles, and highlights resources that support the Child Advocate Program in advocating for a child’s best interests. This may include identifying community resources relevant experts or literature that supports our best interests advocacy, as well as contacting the child’s family or caregivers in the United States or their home country.
• Prepares and/or submits court filings to immigration courts (in-person or via email as local jurisdiction requires) and ensures all Child Advocate Supervisors receive all details and documentation to support that court hearing.
• Routinely checks the Child Advocate Program data management systems and government portals 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 immigration courts.
• Supports and facilitates communication between Child Advocate Program staff and facility staff, the child, the child’s family, or stakeholders.
• Upon release from government custody or repatriation, provides post-release follow up and shares with the child and/or the child’s family relevant resources (including educational, legal, mental health, financial, medical, etc.) in their community, as needed.
• Actively participates in regular cohort meetings with Case Support Associates across the Young Center.
• Serves as a Child Advocate for at least one child to learn about the role of the Child Advocate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• At least two 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.
• Able to engage with a variety of audiences that include children and/or their families, colleagues, community partners, and volunteers.
• Able to follow up with key stakeholders to close gaps in information and answer pressing questions or concerns.
• Resourceful and takes a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Able to gather, summarize, and present large amounts of information.
• Commitment to a comprehensive culture of feedback, including seeking and providing positive and constructive feedback and engaging in productive conversations.
• Commitment to learn, both as an individual and as part of an organization, and apply diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or anti-racism principles.
• Able to communicate with cultural humility, compassion, and empathy and 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.
• Bilingual ability (oral and written) in English/Spanish or English/ other languages spoken by the population we serve
• Basic data collection and analysis ability.
• High School Diploma required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience—lived, volunteer, or professional—with immigration matters
• College degree

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical demands include regular attendance; keyboarding; sitting for long periods (at least 5 hours a day), driving. Ability to use computer, telephone, and copy machine.Ability to travel by plane, car, and other conveyances within U.S. Occasional lifting for event setup/preparation.

COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS

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

APPLICATION DETAILS

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.

$25.17 to $27.90/ HR is the standard new hire range for this position ($27.70-$30.69 for those residing in the Los Angeles and DC metropolitan areas; $28.96-$32.08 for those residing in the NYC metropolitan area). Actual wage will vary depending on factors including but not limited to location and experience. The Young Center does not ask for prior pay history from our candidates and our offer-making process is negotiation-free for salaries and benefits. We offer our best possible salary based on relevant experience. The range listed is just one component of the Young Center’s total compensation package for employees. The Young Center provides excellent benefits, including health/dental/vision insurance (employee & dependents) at no cost to the employee, paid vacation, sick time, and a 401(k) plan with employer match.

A criminal background check will be conducted

Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please apply on the Young Center website with a cover letter, resume, and three references. Only complete applications will be considered.

To learn more about the Young Center’s work, please visit www.TheYoungCenter.org.