Social Worker, Phoenix

Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights invites applications for the full-time position of Social Worker to be based in Phoenix, Arizona. 

This position is a unique opportunity for a social worker to join a passionate team made up of social workers, attorneys, and administrative staff, to engage in interdisciplinary written and oral best interests advocacy on behalf of children in immigration removal proceedings. Young Center is appointed as independent Child Advocate for unaccompanied and separated immigrant children and advocates for their best interests with respect to their custody, placement, conditions of release, reunification with caregivers, repatriation, and their immigration proceedings. Young Center does not directly represent children in immigration matters but works closely with the legal service providers who may represent the children’s legal interests. Young Center also does not provide direct mental health or therapeutic services to children but gathers information about access to and advocates for trauma-informed and culturally responsive services. The Social Worker will help recruit, train, and supervise bilingual and bicultural volunteer Child Advocates—teachers, law students, social workers, community members—who will work one-on-one with children. Young Center team is a passionate and collegial group of professionals committed to ensuring that children receive the full protection of federal immigration law, domestic child welfare law and international human rights law. 

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. Through its flagship Child Advocate Program the Young Center serves as the federally-appointed bests interests representative for unaccompanied and separated immigrant children in federal custody. 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: 

• Advocate for children’s best interests before government or other interested parties 
• Supervise volunteers appointed as Child Advocate for unaccompanied and separated children in federal custody in or near Phoenix and across the United States as needed 
• Serve as Child Advocate to a limited number of cases or as needed 
• Visit children as needed and communicate with caregivers, family members and stakeholders 
• Provide internal case consultation and case support on matters involving child welfare, child development, and trauma-informed practices for the Phoenix office 
• Support the local and national efforts to recruit, train, support, and retain volunteer Child Advocates 
• Participate in internal and external working groups 
• Meet regularly with local stakeholders (government field staff, facility staff, immigration judges, ICE officers, and legal service providers); collaborate on presentations to local stakeholders; attend case staffings or other stakeholder meetings; and speak about the Child Advocate Program at local, regional, and national events 
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders or organizations in the community 
• Assist the team in meeting case goals and other deliverables for the government contract and private grants 
• Capture accurate and timely data management to inform reports to the government, other funders, and internal Young Center departments regarding children served, case outcomes, program metrics, and current trends 
• Participate in a supportive, collaborative work culture that allows for creative, thoughtful, high-quality, and effective interdisciplinary advocacy 
• In collaboration with the Managing Attorney, consult with attorney colleagues for legal analyses and legal advocacy to identify and advocate for the best interests of unaccompanied and separated children 
• Under the supervision of the Managing Staff Attorney and with input from the Deputy Program Directors (Attorney and Social Worker), draft and submit best interests determinations to immigration judges, asylum officers, attorneys, and federal agencies incorporating state, federal, and international law and applying social science research and social work best practices, including, but not limited to trauma informed and culturally sensitive approaches 
• Actively engage with colleagues and supervisors in developing and editing interdisciplinary best interests determinations 
• Under the supervision of the Managing Attorney or Deputy Program Director (Attorney), accompany children to court hearings and interviews related to their immigration case 
• Assess which children may need additional supportive and/or mental health services and accompany them to appointments as needed 
• Other duties as assigned 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

• Masters of Social Work 
• Generally, has prior experience working with children and/or youth, trauma survivors, or migrant/refugees/unaccompanied children to demonstrate an understanding of the population we serve. This may be first-hand experience or demonstrated interest in the field (coursework, internships, volunteer opportunities, etc.) 
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices, culturally responsive and strengths-based approaches, and child-centered engagement strategies 
• Effective communication skills, including ability to liaise with various stakeholders, colleagues, and volunteers 
• Excellent case management skills 
• High-level organizational skills 
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and proactively address case needs 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and creatively as part of an interdisciplinary team 
• Ability to work in a flexible, evolving environment, adapt to situations, and manage change effectively 
• Commitment to 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. 
• Ability to effectively engage across different cultures, identities, and ethnicities.  
• Strong writing skills 
• Aptitude and thoughtfulness in working with children and promoting child-centered advocacy. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, 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. 
• Valid driver’s license and access to a car 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Licensure in Social Work or the ability to become licensed strongly encouraged 
• Lived experience that lends insight into supporting immigrant children and their families 
• Understanding of the impact of trauma on children and familiarity with a trauma-informed approach to advocacy 
• Background and/or demonstrated interest in working to address vicarious and secondary trauma 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

Physical demands include regular attendance; keyboarding; sitting for long periods (at least 5 hours a day); driving. Ability to use a computer, telephone, and copy machine. Ability to travel by plane, car, and other conveyances within U.S. Occasional lifting for event setup/preparation. May be requested to work weekends for Child Advocate trainings or other special events as needed. 

COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS: 

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

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.