Children's Attorney

Job Description

Job Overview/Summary:

The Children’s Attorney will conduct legal relief eligibility determinations, meet with and advise child clients, and provide direct legal representation to unaccompanied children in the care of an Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) short term shelter and long term foster care facility, and those released to sponsors located in the DFW area. Relief will include filing for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Asylum, U and T Visas, requiring the attorney to appear in Texas family court, immigration court, and at the Houston Asylum office. Working closely with IRC Dallas leadership and immigration staff, as well as IRC’s HQ Immigration Technical Unit and a host of external partners, the Children’s Attorney will develop this new program area for IRC in Dallas. The attorney will bring not only relevant legal experience and a passion for this area of work, but also the creativity and flexibility needed to lead the process of implementing a new program area.

Major Responsibilities:

Know Your Rights Presentations, Eligibility Determinations and Direct Legal Representation:

· Oversee team members conducting Know Your Rights group presentations.

· Conduct intakes, identify legal relief and draft good faith letters of eligibility for children in ORR custody.

· Provide immediate, temporary direct representation to children requesting voluntary departure.

· Handle moderate caseload providing on-going direct legal representation to locally released unaccompanied children and limited number of long term foster care unaccompanied minors before the immigration court and US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS).

· Oversee referrals to children relocated outside the DWF jurisdiction.

Program Management:

· Coordinate closely within IRC’s multidisciplinary teams to identify need for services and facilitate referrals to in-house programs and through partnerships with external providers.

· May supervise a team of staff, interns, and volunteers.

· Ensure timely and accurate compliance to all reporting requirements.

· Work closely with the HQ Immigration Technical Unit team and other field offices as part of the IRC immigration network.

· Other related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

· Law degree and admission to the Texas state bar; for December graduates, applicant must take and pass the February 2022 bar exam.

· Bilingual in Spanish/English;

· Experience with Texas family law and filing suits Affecting the Parent Child Relationship (SAPCR);

· Strong communication and interpersonal skills; written and verbal English fluency;

· Deep commitment to working with humanitarian immigrants;

· Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills;

· Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, active insurance policy and ability to travel frequently in and around the service area to engage with clients and community partners.

· Experience providing direct representation in immigration court and/or before USCIS to children and/or asylum seekers (preferred);

· Experience working with children (preferred)

Working Environment:

· Standard office environment combined with local travel within the service delivery area. Occasional travel to Houston.

· Partial work from home option available.

· Occasional evening and weekend hours required.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

The IRC and IRC employees must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

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