Temporary: Community Engagement Specialist

The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights invites applications for the temporary part-time position of Community Engagement Specialist for 3-months with the possibility of extension (15–20 hours per week) in Arizona. The Community Engagement Specialist will strengthen the Protect Immigrant Children (PIC) Campaign’s outreach efforts by building and nurturing relationships with community organizations, advocates, and local leaders. This role focuses on advancing the Campaign’s narrative change priorities and expanding its grassroots presence in key states like Arizona. This temporary position will be employed and payrolled through AtriumWORKS.  

ABOUT THE YOUNG CENTER 

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. The Young Center’s Child Advocate Program (CAP) serves as the federally appointed, independent best interests representative for unaccompanied and separated immigrant children in federal custody. Through CAP’s state initiative, we also serve and are appointed by the Superior Courts of New Jersey as independent Child Advocates to children released from federal custody into the New Jersey community. Child Advocates meet with children and learn their stories in order to identify and advocate for their best interests through an interdisciplinary, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive lens. The Technical Assistance Program offers intersectional expertise and critical resources to advocates and service providers working with immigrant children involved in child welfare and other state court systems. The Litigation Program, the Young Center’s newest program, engages in impact litigation to advance policies that promote the safety, well-being, and best interests of immigrant children; to challenge policies and actions that harm immigrant children; and to ensure that their experiences and perspectives are considered by courts in decisions that affect them. The Young Center’s Policy Program fights for wholesale reform of the immigration system while pursuing immediate changes in policy and practice that center children’s rights and best interests in all decisions.  

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. We also serve children through our programs in New Jersey.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Develop a map of local organizations, advocates, and community leaders who work with or support immigrant children and families. 

• Introduce organizations and leaders to the Protect Immigrant Children Campaign and assess their interest in participation.

• Identify credible messengers - such as educators, faith leaders, business owners, and local officials—who can serve as credible messengers for the Campaign. 

• Serve as a local connector between the PIC Campaign and state-based partners. 

• Identify local opportunities to influence public opinion and motivate action. This should include opportunities to connect with new audiences. 

• Document outreach activities and stakeholder relationships to inform Campaign strategy and maintain a database of contacts, including their roles, influence, and engagement level. 

• Monitor local developments, community events, and political shifts that may impact immigrant children and families. This should include staying up to date on legislative initiatives and challenges. 

• Attend regular Campaign check-ins and contribute updates on state-level progress.

• Other duties as assigned.  

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS 

• Established relationships with local and state-based organizations and community leaders. 

• Temporary candidates must have their own functional computer.

• Deep understanding of state and local political, cultural, and community landscapes. 

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.  

• Comfortable with public speaking and able to engage diverse audiences. 

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work independently. 

• Resourceful, proactive, and creative problem-solver. 

• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed. 

• Valid driver’s license and access to transportation. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

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

• Experience in community organizing, advocacy, journalism, or public affairs. 

• Experience with stakeholder mapping, coalition building, or grassroots mobilization. 

• Familiarity with media and communications platforms.  

• Bilingual in English and Spanish (or other languages commonly spoken in immigrant communities) 

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 event setup/preparation. 

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 about any special needs at the time of application. 

$33.68 is the rate per hour for up to 20 hours per week for this temporary position. This rate is non-negotiable.

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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