Contract Attorney-Unaccompanied Minors

Title:

Contract Attorney - Unaccompanied Minors

(PART TIME Position)

Status:

CONTRACT POSITION

Supervisor:

MANAGING ATTORNEY – UNACCOMPANIED MINORS

JFCS Pittsburgh

Founded in 1937, JFCS was voted one of Pittsburgh’s best places to work for 10 years running. We are committed to helping people of all ages and backgrounds through life’s changes and challenges. We do this by providing comprehensive, innovative and compassionate social service programs for everyone who walks through our door and throughout the Greater Pittsburgh region

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Immigration Attorney to assist with representation of unaccompanied children who are staying at the ORR shelters we serve. This attorney must be sensitive to and have experience working with unaccompanied minors and victims of trauma. In addition to appearing on behalf of detained unaccompanied children in court, this attorney will work closely with legal assistants who will provide Know Your Rights presentations and preliminary legal screenings to children in the detention shelters. This role will work approximately 20 hours per week.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Direct Legal Services:

• Assist with representation to children (both detained and released children) as needed in immigration matters such as asylum, SIJS, U Visas, T Visas, and voluntary departure, including those in removal proceedings.

Team support:

• Review legal screenings conducted by legal assistants to determine children's preliminary eligibility for immigration relief.
• Communicate regularly with the legal team regarding the status of children in detention, advocate for best interests of the child regarding placements upon release.
• Participate in staff development and training opportunities provided by JFCS, maintain attorney license, and stay abreast of changes in policies and procedures.

Communication with Stakeholders:

• Clear, professional, and appropriate communication with clients, staff, and U.S. government officials.
• Negotiations with government attorneys on prosecutorial discretion

Administrative:

• Be responsible for tracking outcomes of cases and providing timely reports for funders.
• Ensure entry of timely, accurate, and detailed reporting. This includes case data into JFCS’s case management systems, timesheets and referrals to other providers.
• Attend all immigration department meetings and other meetings as required.
• Perform other job-related duties as required.

Qualifications:

• J.D. with license to practice in any state or U.S. territory, special consideration given to PA and WV (required)
• Registered to practice with EOIR
• Familiarity with utilizing interpretation and translation services
• Experience in representing unaccompanied children before USCIS and in removal court (required)
• Strong record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills
• Experience working with children, preferably immigrant and refugee children, or experience working with vulnerable populations, survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma (preferred)
• Ability to take initiative, multi-task, and work independently (required)

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.