United States: Immigration Intake Specialist

The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are impacted by conflict and disaster to feel safe, empowered, and stable in their new homes. Founded in 1933, the IRC has a presence in over 40 countries and 27 offices in the United States; the IRC leads the way from harm to home. Domestically, our offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.

The IRC opened its Dallas office in 1975 to provide reception and placement services to newly arrived refugees. The office provides additional programming to assist refugees and similar populations for up to five years following their arrival in the US, including case management, employment, financial capability, health education and medical case management, job readiness, youth services, public benefits navigation, psychosocial support and other services. Within the last three years, the IRC has dramatically expanded its services to provide legal representation to asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors as well. More than 200 unaccompanied children in the custody of the Office of Refugee and Resettlement (ORR) will receive legal services from the IRC in FY2023. IRC in Dallas’ service approach is client-centered, empowerment-focused and trauma-informed.

Job Overview/Summary: 

IRC seeks a bilingual Immigration Intake Specialist to join the Unaccompanied Children’s Program (UCP) in Dallas to provide legal services to unaccompanied children residing in a short-term shelter operated by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement, located in Fort Worth, Texas. The Immigration Intake Specialist will serve as the central point of legal contact for unaccompanied children who recently entered the United States, and will provide in-person Know Your Rights presentations, legal screenings, and follow up contact with children in shelter. This individual will be responsible for inputting information into internal and external databases, making legal referrals, and tracking and reporting data as required by federal contract. The Immigration Intake Specialist will also work closely with team attorneys and staff to support clients receiving direct legal representation.

This position requires working directly with diverse children of all ages in a fast-paced environment while maintaining professional standards and best practices for client appointments and communication. Interested candidates must be patient, passionate about children, have stellar interpersonal and trauma-informed listening skills, be highly organized and have excellent attention to detail

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and conduct in-person Know Your Rights presentations, intakes and follow-up meetings with unaccompanied child clients.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of client information.
• Gather supporting evidence, identify potential legal relief and draft case summaries.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and eligibility criteria for immigration legal services.
• Escalate legal questions and concerns to the managing attorney for consultation and potential revisions to standard KYR script and screening forms.
• Discuss outreach protocols and highlight trends, successes and concerns for monthly reporting.
• Input data into multiple tracking and referral databases, and ensure timely and accurate compliance to all reporting requirements.
• Create and maintain electronic and paper files.
• Provide interpretation for clients at interviews, as needed; translate documents written in Spanish.
• Coordinate with other IRC program staff to provide wrap-around services, where appropriate, and prepare referral packages for children who move out of local jurisdiction.
• Communicate with represented clients to provide case status updates, request documents and other information, schedule appointments, and manage other communication as needed.
• Draft correspondences and file legal documents.
• Attend and participate in weekly case review meetings.
• Other tasks and projects as assigned.

Team Collaboration: 

• The Immigration Intake Specialist will be line-managed by Unaccompanied Children’s Program managing attorney and will work closely with shelter staff, IRC staff attorneys and the immigration legal services team.

Job Requirements:

• College degree in a social justice, immigrants’ rights, community advocacy or a related field preferred.
• 1-3 years of relevant professional experience preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required. Fluency in spoken and written English is required (B2 or greater).
• Speakers of Mayan languages are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Knowledge of and interest in learning about immigration law and related benefits for unaccompanied children.
• Experience working with children and/or survivors of trauma preferred.
• High emotional intelligence.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment
• An understanding of the subtlety of language and how to communicate effectively with diverse children.
• Possess trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills;
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties and manage time effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail required.
• Interest and ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member.
• Deep commitment to working with humanitarian immigrants;
• Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, active insurance policy and ability to travel frequently in and around the service area.
• Strong computer proficiency and well acquainted with basic software tools – ability to navigate autonomously in Windows, Android, Microsoft 365 Suite, and Google docs.

Working Environment:**

• Standard office environment with possible limited hybrid/flex arrangements.
• Travel required within the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days (depending on role and tenure), medical insurance starting at $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

How to Apply: 

Please apply on our website: https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/37165?c=rescue