Child Engagement Specialist

The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights invites applications for the full-time position of Child Engagement Specialist to be based out of the Harlingen, Texas office. The Child Engagement Specialist plays a vital role in providing direct, trauma-informed case support for unaccompanied immigrant children held in federal detention facilities. Working under the direct guidance of the Managing Attorney, in collaboration with the Managing Social Worker, and in close partnership with multidisciplinary case supervisors, the Specialist establishes meaningful rapport with children and youth, gathers crucial background information from children, maintains precise and timely case documentation, and completes file review to support comprehensive best-interest determinations. This position is funded primarily through a federal contract and is contingent on ongoing renewals.  

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights is a national organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights and best interests, safety, and well-being of immigrant children in the United States. We center children's voices, celebrate their strengths, and recognize their fundamental need to be with family and in community, not detention.  

For more than 20 years, the Young Center has accompanied and advocated for over 10,000 children from more than 70 countries worldwide. We are the only organization that takes an integrated approach to protecting and advancing the rights of children, in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and state and federal law, through direct services, stakeholder support across child welfare systems, systems and narrative change, and litigation. Further, we fight tirelessly to bring greater equity to the child welfare system, demanding accountability from systems and people in positions of power, so children in immigrant families who face court cases remain safe, free, and with families in communities where they are supported. 

The Young Center has offices in Houston, San Antonio, and Harlingen, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Washington, D.C.; Phoenix, Arizona; Los Angeles, California; and Grand Rapids, Michigan. To learn more about the Young Center, visit  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Direct Child Engagement and Case Support 

• Conduct regular, child-centered visits—both in person at detention facilities and through virtual platforms—to build trust and accompany them through government custody.  

• Engage children in child-led, age-appropriate, trauma-informed visits to learn about their background, lived experiences, unique needs, and immediate concerns, using these insights to inform the Child Advocate Supervisors’ best interests advocacy.  

• Partner with Child Advocate Supervisors to prepare for and complete regular visits tailored to each child's needs.  

• Actively identify and escalate urgent case developments, safety concerns, or child welfare issues to the Child Advocate Supervisor in a timely manner.  

Case Documentation and Data Management 

• Enter complete, timely, high-quality case notes and track critical milestones in the electronic client management system in accordance with strict programmatic deadlines. 

• Review physical and digital client files to inform the Child Advocate Supervisors’ best interests advocacy strategies.  

• Ensure all data entry accurately and timely reflects ongoing case efforts and child status updates.  

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Teamwork 

• Collaborate closely within an interdisciplinary team structure to ensure holistic support for assigned children.  

• Cultivate positive working relationships with internal team members, external stakeholders, and community partners.  

Equity, Diversity and Organizational Values 

• Approach all interactions with youth, families, and colleagues using cultural humility, deep empathy, and emotional intelligence.  

• Actively participate in a constructive culture of feedback by seeking, receiving, and integrating guidance while offering thoughtful input to colleagues.  

• Integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism principles into daily casework, decision-making, and workplace interactions. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (including but not limited to Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, International Relations), OR at least two (2) years of equivalent post-secondary experience across professional employment, community organizing, internships, or volunteer roles.  

• Minimum of two (2) years of demonstrated experience or formal training in trauma-informed care, child development, childcare, or social services.  

• Ability to communicate effectively and build authentic relationships with children and adolescents from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds.  

• Experience navigating client databases, case management platforms, and standard Microsoft Office suite tools.  

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication capabilities with the ability to summarize complex case details clearly.  

• Demonstrated commitment to communicating with cultural humility, compassion, and respect across varied identities and backgrounds.  

• Enthusiasm for continuous learning, self-reflection, and applying anti-racist, equitable principles in a mission-driven environment. 

• Ability to possess a state driver’s license and consistent access to drive a car. 

• Bilingual English-Spanish (both verbal and written). 
  
   

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Experience—lived, volunteer, or professional—with immigration matters. 

• Minimum two years’ experience in the Case Support Associate or Volunteer Coordinator role at the Young Center or a similar role in another organization. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

Physical demands include regular attendance, keyboarding, sitting for long periods (at least 5 hours a day), driving. Ability to use computer, telephone, and copy machine. Ability to travel by plane, car and other conveyances within U.S. Occasional lifting for visits with children. 

APPLICATION DETAILS 

The Young Center is an "at-will" and equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in and affirmatively factors diversity into its hiring practices. Young Center encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, marital or parental status, pregnancy, citizenship, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, genetic information, or veterans’ status. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process; no applicant will be penalized for requesting an accommodation. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application. 

$26.91to $29.94 is the standard new hire range for this position ($27.04-$32.93 for those residing in the Los Angeles and DC metropolitan areas; $30.94-$34.42 for those residing in the NYC metropolitan area). Actual wage will vary depending on factors including but not limited to location and experience. The Young Center does not ask for prior pay history from our candidates, and our offer-making process is negotiation-free for salaries and benefits. We offer our best possible salary based on relevant experience. The range listed is just one component of the Young Center’s total compensation package for employees. The Young Center provides excellent benefits, including health/dental/vision insurance (employee & dependents) at no cost to the employee, paid vacation, sick time, and a 401(k) plan with employer match. 

A criminal background check will be conducted.  

Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please apply on the Young Center website with a cover letter, resume and three references. Only complete applications will be considered.  

To learn more about the Young Center’s work, please visit  

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