Case Manager, Detained Adult Program in Washington, District of Columbia at Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (Amica Center)

Who We Are

The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights fights for the rights, safety, and unity of immigrant communities, standing with those trapped in our nation’s fundamentally flawed immigration system. We engage in unwavering legal defense and strategic litigation for immigrant children and adults facing detention and deportation in the Capital Region and beyond, because everyone has the right to be free, safe, and supported.

Our Work Environment:

Amica Center’s Programs provide trauma-informed, person-centered legal services to adults and children impacted by immigration detention across the Capital Region and beyond. Serving hundreds of detained adults each year and offering legal orientation, screening, and representation to detained and formerly detained children, our work centers client autonomy, dignity, and holistic support within a fundamentally unjust system. Both programs operate in deeply collaborative environments that emphasize interconnectivity across teams, professional growth, mentorship, and adaptability. Staff bring deep expertise to a complex and evolving immigration system, working together through shared learning, innovation, and advocacy to advance the rights and wellbeing of the people we serve.

Position Summary:

The DAP Case Manager will work closely with DAP legal staff to support the rights and well-being of detained and released immigrant clients, many of whom have mental health diagnoses, cognitive impairments, trauma backgrounds, and unmet social service needs. The primary focus of the Case Manager will be preparing for and executing safe releases of our clients from detention, assisting with clients’ transitions to the community, and providing essential case management to clients regarding basic needs such as housing, mental/medical health care, and other forms of requested advocacy on the part of both the attorney and the client. While this position focuses on engaging with clients for their non-legal needs, the Case Manager will also work alongside the legal staff to provide Social Services related documentation to the court or other governmental and non-governmental entities in support of the legal case.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

Case Management:

• Support an average caseload of 10-20 clients in detention and post-release;
• Support legal staff in resolving their detained clients’ social service needs;
• Coordinate and implement post-release plans for clients, building on clients’ existing resources, strengths, and autonomy to help them with their self-identified goals;
• Competently execute safe releases from detention, and provide time-limited services to clients to support their transition to the community;
• Engage in long-term support for a small portion of non-detained clients;
• Enter all client-related notes into case management systems and maintain confidentiality.

Community Advocacy:

• Build and maintain relationships with myriad community partners including volunteer networks, organizers and service providers, both locally and nationally;
• Identify opportunities for social services networking and capacity building;
• Attending conferences, community events, and other outreach opportunities to support in professional development of the Social Services Department.

Programmatic Support:

• Maintain and update the online social service database;
• Assist in equitable distribution of social service grants;
• Work collaboratively across a small team of social services staff to create and implement systems to improve program efficiency and service to clients;
• Assist in grant requirements such as reporting and spend-downs, to support social services funding streams;
• Create and give existing trainings on social services to colleagues within the organization.

Other Responsibilities:

• Communicate coverage needs to team and provide coverage to others during their periods of low bandwidth;
• Collaborate with other program staff to provide support outside the social services team, as needed;
• Ensure all administrative aspects of the position are carried out in an increasingly independent manner, including timekeeping, file upkeep, and database upkeep;
• Periodically provide in-court advocacy for clients alongside legal advocates, by explaining Post-Release Plans and other social-service aspects relevant to the client’s legal case;
• Provide support in the design and growth of the social services program through the creation of best practices, feedback solicitation, and staff development.

[1] This list is illustrative and not intended to be a complete classification of all job functions or tasks.

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and/or experience, preference for a degree in social work, counseling or related field;
• Proficiency in Spanish and valid driver’s license
• Strong preference for applicants with knowledge of immigration system and knowledge of local community organizations and resources
• Preference for applicants with proficiency in Office 365 and LegalServer.

Competencies Required:

• Demonstrated interest in upholding the rights and dignity of detained immigrants, particularly those with mental health diagnoses;
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders;
• Ability to multi-task, work in a fast-paced environment, and triage client emergencies;
• Ability to work well independently with limited supervision;
• Availability to work occasional weekend/evening hours to accommodate client needs or engage in community advocacy, within expected 35–40-hour workweek or during authorized overtime hours;

Salary: $50,000 - $60,000 commensurate with experience

Position Type: Full-time, non-exempt

Reports To: Social Services Coordinator

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Location and/or Travel Requirements: This position will be based at the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, M.D. Office. Travel to the area when needed for hearings, jail visits, and programmatic meetings is required.

Telework: Amica Center operates a hybrid work environment where staff are required to work at least one day per week in-office, but some roles require more office/on-site attendance or travel.

Benefits: Amica Center offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, life insurance and pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV.

Paid Time Off: Amica Center provides personal, sick and volunteer time off, federal holidays, winter break closure and parental leave.

EEO Statement: Amica Center for Immigrant Rights is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. Amica Center prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Amica Center conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

Our Anti-Racism Statement: To learn more about our anti-racism statement- https://amicacenter.org/becoming-anti-racist/

COVID-19 Vaccination: All employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. To be fully vaccinated means having completed the full dosages required for the type of vaccine obtained as designated by the CDC. If boosters are subsequently recommended by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) then employees will be required to receive the booster within thirty (30) days of their eligibility to access the boosters.

How to Apply: Submit your resume, cover letter and writing sample that explains your interest in this role with your Paylocity submission.