Know Your Rights Specialist
Church World Service, Inc.

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 Know Your Rights Specialist is responsible for provision of KYR within the legal programs in the Lancaster office. The incumbent provides KYR to children in ORR custody under the Immigrant Children's Program. If the incumbent is an accredited representative, he or she may also represent clients before USCIS, when needed.

Responsibilities

• 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 resources where needed and provide ongoing case management to certain children following their release.
• Maintains detailed tracking information of each child who enters the shelter.
• 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 Associate Director for Immigration Legal Services and the Know Your Rights Supervisor in preparing reports and compiling data as requested.
• Keep the Associate Director for Immigration Legal Services and Know Your Supervisor informed of complaints, issues and/or problems for timely investigation and resolution.
• Works closely with the Know Your Rights Supervisor to keep informed about immigrant issues and conducts legal research to support filed immigration applications.
• Attends local and national trainings 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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