ProBAR - Shelter Services Coordinator TX

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The Shelter Services Coordinator for ProBAR ensures every unaccompanied child receives the legal services they need while they are detained and access to appropriate resources that support their transition after release from detention. As the point of contact with the detention facilities, they coordinate schedules and maintain ongoing communication with facility staff to facilitate Know Your Rights presentations and legal screenings. The Shelter Services Coordinator also serves as a liaison for many, as they aid with ProBAR’s interpreter program, the Legal Department, and the Release Support Department.

The Organization

ProBAR empowers immigrants through high-quality legal education, representation, and connections to services. ProBAR serves immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley border region 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 office is located in Harlingen, TX. For more information about ProBAR, please visit our website: https://abaprobar.org/

Job Summary / General Purpose of Job

Accountable for coordinating shelter services, including primarily legal orientation and legal screenings, at local immigration detention facilities. Develop and maintain stakeholder relationships to facilitate shelter services within time mandated. This position will require regular involvement with individuals living in difficult circumstances and who may have experienced trauma.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities (listed in order of importance and/or time spent)

• Coordinate and assign Children's Project shelter services, including primarily legal orientation and legal screenings, at local immigration detention facilities within time mandated by current funding contract(s).
• Track location and release of detained unaccompanied children and refer as appropriate to legal team for necessary follow-up or intervention regarding a condition of detention, release support team for legal referral upon release, or to adult legal team for services upon transfer to adult detention.
• Organize and deliver trauma-informed, child-friendly appropriate orientations, legal screenings, sponsor intake, and necessary follow-up services delivered to unaccompanied children to assist with referral to pro bono counsel. As well as follow up interviews to complete relief-eligibility determination or as required.
• Serve as a point of contact for assigned ORR detention shelter(s) in division’s service area and maintain stakeholder relationships, including by delivering regular shelter staff trainings and meeting with key shelter staff to address challenges.
• Send UCORD referrals to receive LSPs and unaccompanied children transferred to other short-term ORR detention facility.
• Participate and engage in regular training regarding provision of child-friendly service delivery, including services tailored to special needs populations, pregnant/parenting, tender-age, non- Spanish speaking, and LGBTQIA youth. Share relevant unaccompanied children migration or detention trends and challenges in services delivery, including via mandatory attendance at monthly round tables.
• Effectively maintain internal timely communication within ProBAR colleagues that serves for the purpose of daily tasks, shelter services, child-advocacy, and other responsibilities.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Arts and Humanities, Education, Early Childhood Education, ESL, Teaching certification or related field, or equivalent number of hours of course work or work-related experience, or 5 years’ experience.
• Able to problem solve issues and apply critical thinking during stressful and challenging situations.
• Fluent in English and Spanish in written and spoken forms.
• Intermediate proficiency with Adobe and Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, OneDrive, Teams)
• Must be familiar 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.
• Must have reliable internet and phone connection.
• 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.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree Social Work, Criminal Justice, Political Science, Government, Psychology, Sociology, Pre-Law, Arts and Humanities, Spanish, English, Communication, Migration and Economics, International Relations, Latin American Studies, Hispanic Studies, Mexican American Studies, Education, Early Childhood Education, ESL, Teaching certification or related field, and work-related experience.
• Prior experience as an Unaccompanied Child Legal Service Specialist.
• Prior work experience with children, particularly from Central America, including indigenous language- speaking populations and/or other vulnerable populations.
• Prior volunteer, community, or work experience regarding immigration or detention.
• Prior non-profit experience, particularly involving immigration detention.

Physical Requirements

Typical office setting with frequent visits to immigration detention facilities and immigration court. Able to lift up to 10 pounds.

Travel

As a normal course of business, this job will typically require travel of less than 25% of the time.

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
• Sign on bonus offered*
• Relocation Stipend offered for in state and out of state relocation*

*Restrictions apply. Availability is subject to grant funding and may periodically change.

The Location

ProBAR is located 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!

The Application Process

Submit an online application including your cover letter and resume.

The Salary

The starting hiring range for this position is $56,142.00 - $64,496.00 based on relevant experience and education.