Senior Know Your Rights Specialist
Church World Service, Inc.

Job Info

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About CWS

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.

Purpose

The Senior Know Your Rights (KYR) Specialist is responsible for provision of KYR presentations and legal screenings for children in ORR custody. The Senior KYR Specialist will serve as a "shift lead" for KYR team members working onsite at the ORR facility, providing technical advice and mentorship for KYR Specialists, and logistical support as needed.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for coordination of delivery of Know Your Rights Services at ORR shelters assigned to CWS, in collaboration with the program supervisor.
• Conduct Know Your Rights presentations, individualized screenings and pre-court orientation in appropriate language, most commonly, Spanish.
• Refers cases of released youth to legal service providers around the country.
• Connects children aging out of ORR care with housing and other resources where needed and provide ongoing case management to certain children following their release.
• Assists Know Your Rights Supervisor in maintaining detailed tracking information of each child who enters the shelter and maintains effective communication between the shelter and CWS.
• Meets with families of detained individuals and provides orientation on the detention process.
• Assists CWS attorneys and Legal Representatives in providing direct representation to clients. If the incumbent is an accredited representative, he or she may sometimes represent clients before USCIS.
• Assists the Immigration Program Coordinator and Lancaster Director in preparing reports and compiling data as requested.
• Keeps the Program Coordinator informed of complaints, issues and/or problems for timely investigation and resolution.
• Works closely with the Program Coordinator to keep informed about immigrant issues and conducts legal research to support filed immigration applications.
• Attends local and national training to obtain/maintain accreditation with the Department of Justice.
• Represents the program at meetings and speaking engagements relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
• Undertakes other duties as assigned.
• Works varied hours, including some night and weekend work for Know Your Rights activities.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree required. Partial-accreditation through the Department of Justice is desired (CWS will apply on the incumbent's behalf).

Experience: Experience with US immigration issues and terminology and with DHS documentation as it relates to refugees, parolees, asylees, and other immigrants. Experience representing clients in immigration matters. Fluency in Spanish is required.

Other Skills: Spanish language skills required. Superior written and verbal communication skills are required. The successful candidate must be computer literate, with proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word and Access) and internet applications. Driver's license in good standing required as well as personal vehicle for frequent, reimbursable local travel.

Benefits

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off (21 Paid Days Off; 27 Days after 2 Years)
- 14 Official Holidays
- Sick Time Off (12 Accrued monthly)
- Life Insurance and AD&D
- Long Term and Short-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Commuter Benefits

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