Managing Attorney, DC

JOB POSTING: Managing Attorney, DC

Title:                        Managing Attorney, Washington D.C.

Supervised by:         Deputy Program Director (Attorney or Social Worker)

Status:                      Full-Time, Exempt

Updated:                  October 2023

Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights invites applications for the full-time position of Managing Attorney to be based in Washington D.C..

At present, the Managing Attorney will supervise the Washington D.C. team consisting of two Staff Attorneys, a Social Worker, a Case Support Associate, and a Volunteer Coordinator but may have four to seven direct reports at any given time. In the Manager’s capacity supervising Child Advocate Supervisors (Staff Attorneys and Social Workers), they will work with program staff to develop advocacy strategies on cases to which the Young Center is appointed as Child Advocate and will review work product. The Managing Attorney will work closely with their direct supervisor Deputy Program Director (DPD) (Attorney or Social Worker), as well as a partner Deputy Program Director (of the complementary legal or social work discipline) to ensure that 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 Manager position will 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. In addition, this position will coordinate hiring and training new staff in Washington D.C..

ABOUT 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 immediate focus of the Young Center’s work is to serve as Child Advocates for unaccompanied and separated immigrant children. 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, D.C.; Phoenix, Arizona; and Los Angeles, California. We also serve children through programs in New Jersey and Western Michigan. 

DUTIES AND 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 Washington D.C. 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, troubleshoot challenges with stakeholder engagement, serve as a point of contact for stakeholder relationships, coordinate presentations to local stakeholders, attend case staffings 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.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

J.D. 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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Lived experience that lends insight into supporting immigrant children and their families

Background and/or demonstrated interest in immigration law, juvenile law, or other areas of law impacting children

Understanding of the impact of trauma on children and familiarity with a trauma-informed approach to advocacy 

Comfort with or willingness to speak present to interested groups and speak with the media or press

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.

COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS:

All employees must be fully vaccinated prior to first day of employment.

APPLICATION DETAILS:

Young Center is an "at-will" and equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and actively seeks a diverse applicant pool. 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 applicants with disabilities may participate in the application process; no applicant will be penalized for requesting an accommodation. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

Salary is commensurate with experience. This is a full-time position with a salary starting in the low 90’s to low 100’s. 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.

Job offer is conditioned on clearance of fingerprint criminal background check, child abuse and neglect check (CANTS) and tuberculosis test.

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, writing sample and three references. Only complete applications will be considered. To learn more about the Young Center’s work, please visit www.TheYoungCenter.org.