ProBAR- Legal Advocate TX-CA

The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.

The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.

The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security. The ABA's wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI. Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

The Organization

ProBAR empowers immigrants through high-quality legal information, representation, and connections to services. ProBAR serves immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley and Houston regions with a particular focus on the legal needs of adults and unaccompanied children in federal custody. Founded in 1989 as a project of the American Bar Association, ProBAR's primary office is located in Harlingen, TX with a field office in Houston, TX. For more information about ProBAR, please visit our website: https://abaprobar.org/

Job Summary / General Purpose of Job

Accountable for providing substantive case and court support to attorneys and accredited representatives. This position coordinates legal services in detention facilities, providing legal orientation and legal screenings for a variety of circumstances and individuals, additional follow-up legal services, and accurate and timely documentation of services delivered and information collected. This position will require regular involvement with individuals living in difficult circumstances and who may have experienced trauma. This position duration is for a period of three months. It is contingent upon funding availability, and ProBAR anticipates funding to extend through Fall of 2026. This position may report out the Harlingen or Houston offices. A remote position for an applicant in Texas is also an option. The primary work travel will be to Nueces County.

Principal Duties/Job Responsibilities

• Provides support and assistance to assigned legal staff. Provide in-person and remote child-friendly and age-appropriate legal orientation to detained children in a non-traditional classroom climate where the presenter is to be positive, organized, outgoing, confident, and compassionate in informing children regarding immigration removal proceedings and access to representation. Additionally, responsible for conducting in person and remote age-appropriate legal screening to assist with referral to pro bono counsel within 10 days of arrival and obtain consent from unaccompanied children for required referrals.
• Provides legal orientations, workshops, and legal screenings with adults in detention settings. Also, delivers Know Your Rights presentations for local communities including families regarding removal proceedings, immigration hearings, and legal rights and protections.
• Assesses the urgency of situations and determines appropriate actions, monitors the status of pending items, and provides updates/feedback to appropriate legal team members. Handles client case files as directed by staff attorneys and Accredited Representatives. Monitors case activities and maintains the data integrity of case management systems. Accesses, processes, and ensures confidentiality and control of client information.
• Conduct telephonic legal screenings with relatives/caretakers for children too young to receive regular Know Your Rights and screenings, in addition to follow-up interviews needed to complete relief eligibility determination or as required. Conduct trauma-informed, child-friendly, and age- and language-appropriate individual legal screening at a detention facility for unaccompanied children within 10 days of arrival.
• Conduct in-person and virtual post-release legal services for children released from ORR facilities, which may include screenings of potential sponsors for unaccompanied children.
• Provide substantive case and court support to attorneys and accredited representatives. Prepares legal filings, and documents (e.g., client affidavits, pleadings, motions, etc.) as directed.
• Prepare children aging out for transfer to ICE Custody by delivering "age-out talks" to unaccompanied children nearing their 18th birthday. Provide pregnant and parenting information and resources by delivering "pregnant and parenting talks" to unaccompanied children.
• Participate in regular and interdepartmental training regarding provision of child-friendly service delivery, including services tailored to special needs populations, pregnant/parenting, pre-verbal, tender-age, non-Spanish speaking, and LGBTQIA+ youth.
• Participate and engage in informational panels to showcase our services and enhance collaboration opportunities.
• Participate in additional projects initiated by the organization to provide support to diverse client populations, including adults, children, families, and other community members, such as the Access to Work Clinic.
• Track location and release of detained unaccompanied children and refer as appropriate for necessary follow up or intervention regarding a condition of detention.
• Serve as a point of contact for assigned ORR facilities in division's service area and maintain stakeholder relationships.
• Stay apprised of the current legal framework relevant to orientation and interviewing related to immigration removal proceedings, including Texas mandatory reporting statute and current events affecting child migration from Central America and any other region commonly affecting detention facilities in South Texas.
• Assists with referral of clients to pro bono counsel as directed. Conducts and assists with coordination and tracking of other legal services as necessary.
• Provides pro se assistance to detainees including preparing applications for relief in immigration court, translation of documents and country conditions search.
• Prioritize compliance with mandatory state reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect.
• Frequent travel to Nueces County (approximately one to three days per week between two to three hours each way) is required, unless the applicant is based in the service area.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Education, Early Childhood Education, ESL, Teaching certification or related field, or associate's degree in aforementioned fields and two years' experience working with children.
• Ability to problem-solve issues during stressful situations.
• Demonstrate compassion and empathy with strong problem-solving abilities, approaching challenges with creativity, critical thinking, and a solution-oriented mindset.
• Ability to utilize effective time management skills to ensure the completion of all key tasks.
• Written and spoken fluency in the secondary language is required based upon the location and client base served. Spanish language fluency evaluation will be conducted as part of the application process.
• Must be able to translate Spanish and English in real-time while conducting legal services with unaccompanied children and adults. This role requires strong communication skills in English and Spanish to ensure accurate interpretation and clear delivery of information and the capacity to engage effectively with diverse audiences to ensure clarity and understanding.
• Willingness to adapt to change and the ability to work collaboratively while taking the initiative and managing projects independently.
• Intermediate proficiency with Adobe and Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, OneDrive, teams).
• Familiarity with conducting virtual meetings, training, and observations on software such as Zoom, Teams, etc.
• Must be able to pick up on client visual and verbal cues when interacting with clients and colleagues.
• Must have reliable transportation to travel between office and off-site work locations. Frequent travel to off-site locations (approximately three days per week for a few hours each way) is required. If the applicant is based in the service area, long periods of travel may not be necessary.
• This position requires the ability to travel to and enter care provider facilities funded by the office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services which provide housing and services to unaccompanied children. This position will require the provision of legal services to unaccompanied children in such care provider facilities. In accordance with the federal regulation, background check will be required for this position.
• Must have reliable internet and phone connection.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Possession of a master's degree Social Work, Criminal Justice, Education, Early Childhood Education, ESL, Teaching certification or related field, or equivalent hours of course work and work-related experience or related field and work-related experience.
• Proficient in conducting Know Your Rights presentations in both English and Spanish in a non -traditional classroom setting and other legal services as required.
• Prior work experience with children in a classroom setting and conducting individual interviews, particularly from Central America and including indigenous language-speaking populations.
• Prior volunteer, community, or work experience regarding immigration or detention.
• Prior non-profit experience, particularly involving immigration detention.
• Prior experience working with children exposed to trauma, exploitation, and/or behavioral problems.

Physical Requirements

The position involves working in various locations and settings, sometimes outside of a typical office environment. The position requires daily visits to immigration detention facilities and the ability to move around the facility grounds and walk distances from parking to facility. Including the need to carry documentation materials weighing up to 15 pounds, for up to 15 minutes or more in temperatures that may exceed 90 degrees, with prolonged periods of sitting and standing, occasionally exposed to challenging environmental conditions, including but not limited to extreme heat, wet conditions, and high humidity. Comfortable working with a minimal setup, such as a basic chair and table, and adaptable to different workspaces as required.

Travel

As a normal course of business, this job will typically require travel 40% of the time (occasional overnight travel).

The Benefits and Incentives Offered

• Medical and prescription insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Voluntary life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Prepaid Legal Plan
• 401 (k)
• Paid company holidays
• Personal time off
• Vacation time off
• PSLF participant

The Location

ProBAR's primary location is in the Rio Grande Valley, a thriving region that boasts a rich culture, affordable cost of living, subtropical climate, and beautiful natural areas to enjoy. Recent growth has brought the RGV unprecedented investments in higher education and scientific research. Three local airports connect RGV residents to destinations around the country while Mexico is only a short drive away. The region's delicious food, world-class nature parks, and the beaches of South Padre Island provide ample opportunities to relax and recharge!

Our Houston field office is in the Uptown District, that showcases the vibrant urban lifestyle in the heart of Houston. The Uptown District is home to The Galleria, Texas' largest shopping center. In addition to being a pedestrian friendly city, you can get around with ease on the MetroRapid Silver Line.

The Application Process

Submit an online application including your cover letter and resume.

The Salary

The starting hiring salary for this position is $50,123.00 based on relevant experience and education.