- Supervise attorneys, legal assistants, and DOJ Accredited representatives serving detained and released unaccompanied child clients, focusing on state court representation for SIJS, asylum, and removal defense.
- Conduct and oversee intakes with child clients, identify immigration relief such as SIJS, asylum, cancellation of removal, VAWA, U-visa, T-visa, etc., and provide direct representation for unaccompanied children released to sponsors in the Atlanta Metro area before USCIS and the immigration court.
- Initiate state court proceedings for children who are eligible for special immigrant juvenile status.
- Provide legal trainings and technical case assistance to in-house staff, pro bono attorneys, ORR facility staff and other stakeholders and community partners as needed to maximize effective legal services to immigrant children.
- Coordinate closely within IRC's multidisciplinary teams to identify needs and facilitate referrals to services offered in-house and through partnerships with external providers.
- Ensure client and program data is collected consistently, managed appropriately, and reported accurately in accordance with program reporting requirements set by IRC and the funder.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge and expertise of changing asylum and immigration policies as they relate to children through regular trainings and peer-to-peer consultation.
- Serve as a strong advocate for humanitarian immigrants.
- Participate in community-based coalitions related to immigrant rights.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Minimum of 5 years' experience strongly preferred providing direct representation in immigration court and/or before USCIS to asylum applicants and other immigrants seeking humanitarian relief.
- Minimum of 2 years' experience providing direct representation before state courts in furtherance of SIJS petitions.
- Experience providing legal services unaccompanied children and/or working with children preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to promote an organizational culture that reflects IRC's core values of service, accountability, integrity, and equality. Ability to lead in a way that recognizes that IRC's work is best accomplished through the true collaboration of individuals from many cultures with a great variety of skills and perspectives.
- Excellent research, writing, analytical, and organizational skills, and excellent legal judgment.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally in a courtroom setting and in writing.
- Evidence of capacity to be a strong team member in a highly collaborative multidisciplinary environment.
- Deep commitment to immigrant rights and working with humanitarian immigrants.
- Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills.
- Personal integrity in handling ethically complex and confidential situations
- Fluent in English, both spoken and written; proficiency in Spanish is desired.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research, and problem-solving purposes.
- Must be willing and able to travel frequently in and around the service area to attend hearings and interviews and engage with clients and community partners.
- Must be willing to submit to an extensive background check including FBI, statewide child welfare and sex offender registry checks.
- A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and 'field' time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
- Occasional domestic travel required.
- May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.
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