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Unaccompanied Minor Program Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Unaccompanied Minor Program information

What is the Unaccompanied Minor Program?

The Unaccompanied Minor Program is a service provided by airlines and other transportation companies to ensure the safety and care of children traveling alone. This program typically includes special supervision, assistance during airport transfers, and communication with designated guardians or parents. Trained staff will accompany the child throughout the journey, from check-in to arrival, to make sure they are safe and comfortable. Each airline may have specific age limits, fees, and procedures, so it’s important to check with the carrier for their exact requirements. The program gives peace of mind to parents and guardians when a child must travel without an adult.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Unaccompanied Minor Program Coordinator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Unaccompanied Minor Program Coordinator, you need a background in social work, human services, or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree and experience with child welfare. Familiarity with case management systems, government regulations (such as ORR guidelines), and documentation tools is typically required. Strong communication, cultural sensitivity, and crisis management skills help build trust and support vulnerable children effectively. These skills ensure minors receive appropriate care, legal compliance is maintained, and the program operates smoothly to protect children's well-being.

What is the difference between Unaccompanied Minor Program vs Child Passenger Safety Technician?

AspectUnaccompanied Minor ProgramChild Passenger Safety Technician
CredentialsProgram-specific training, background checksCertification from National Child Passenger Safety Certification
Work EnvironmentAirports, transportation hubs, airlinesCommunity events, car seat clinics, safety workshops
Employer & IndustryAirlines, airports, transportation agenciesChild safety organizations, automotive industry

The Unaccompanied Minor Program focuses on managing and assisting minors traveling alone through transportation services, requiring specialized training and coordination with airlines. In contrast, Child Passenger Safety Technicians specialize in installing and inspecting car seats to ensure child safety in vehicles. While both roles prioritize child safety, their work environments, credentials, and industry applications differ significantly.

What are some common challenges faced by staff working in an Unaccompanied Minor Program, and how are they addressed?

Staff in Unaccompanied Minor Programs often encounter challenges such as language barriers, cultural differences, and the emotional needs of minors who may have experienced trauma. To address these, teams typically include bilingual staff and offer training in trauma-informed care. Collaboration with social workers, mental health professionals, and legal advocates is common to ensure holistic support for the minors. Regular team meetings and ongoing professional development help staff manage these challenges effectively while ensuring the well-being and safety of the children.
What are popular job titles related to Unaccompanied Minor Program jobs in California? For Unaccompanied Minor Program jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Unaccompanied Minor Program jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Unaccompanied Minor Program jobs in California are:
Unification Specialist - Los Angeles PRN (Reseda, Los Angeles, IN-COMMUNITY)

Unification Specialist - Los Angeles PRN (Reseda, Los Angeles, IN-COMMUNITY)

Urban Strategies LLC

Reseda, CA • On-site

Per diem

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE
UNIFICATION SPECIALIST - Los Angeles (Reseda, Los Angeles, IN-COMMUNITY)
CATEGORY
NON-EXEMPT
PROGRAM
URBAN STRATEGIES – REFUGIO UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
WORK SCHEDULE
FIVE DAYS PER WEEK, 40 HOURS PER WEEK; 12 MONTHS PER YEAR
REPORTS TO
UNIFICATION SPECIALIST MANAGER, REFUGIO
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
Urban Strategies exists to equip, resource, and connect faith- and community-based organizations that are engaged in community transformation to help families reach their fullest potential. We work with trusted faith- and community-based organizations and focus on the Latino community to engage and come alongside the whole family. Our vision is that all children and families reach their full potential.
Our work is informed by our three core values: Authentic Relationships, Servant Leadership, and Intentional Compassion.
  • Authentic Relationships are foundational to our work and move beyond a transactional nature to truly know people. They serve as opportunities for mutual development and growth and are based on the belief that all people have inherent dignity and worth.
  • Servant Leadership is rooted in an other-centric mindset that informs the way one leads and builds up individuals, families, and communities.
  • Intentional Compassion describes a deliberate commitment to understand, formulate strategic responses, and activate others to reach their full potential.
Our organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Our team works across the United States and Puerto Rico with direct service centers located in California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, New York, and Puerto Rico.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Refugio Unaccompanied Children Shelter and Foster Care Program is a 24-hour program that serves young persons in immigration custody who are awaiting release to their sponsors.
POSITION OVERVIEW
In- Community Case Managers are responsible for coordinating family reunification services and assessing the needs of each unaccompanied child (UC) in care.
TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Utilize trauma theory and brief therapeutic techniques to work with unaccompanied children entering the United States during a typical shelter stay of 30-35 days.
  • Complete an intake interview upon admission and promptly identify needed services.
  • Assess family, education, history of trauma, personal goals, and potential experience with human exploitation/trafficking.
  • Develop interventions and an individual service plan consistent with each child's psycho-social needs.
  • Maintain direct contact with each UC and, to the extent possible, with the UCs family and potential sponsors.
  • Maintain appropriate documentation according to program regulations.
  • Carry up to eight cases.
  • Upon request, this role may be required to travel with UC, 14 and under, to locations in the United States.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Confirm minor are receiving all required services, meeting regularly with the minor to ensure their wellbeing.
  • Attend all case staffing, trainings, and other meetings as part of the minor’s care team, providing status updates and collaborating with other stakeholders.
  • Initiate, coordinate, and maintain direct contact with each minor and the minor’s family while the minor is in ORR care in order to efficiently advance the minor’s family reunification and safe release from the facility.
  • Facilitate the timely release or discharge of minors to identified family members or authorized caregiver/custodian and document the provision of services in each minor’s case file
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Ability to see at normal distance, hear normal conversations and sounds and use hands and fingers to fill out required forms. Physically able to perform therapeutic physical restraints.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions as long as the staff disability does not create an undue risk of injury to any children.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or an equivalent degree in Psychology, Sociology, or other relevant Behavioral Science
  • Experience: 2 or more years of related experience
  • ORR experience preferred
  • Available to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends
  • Available to travel, as required
  • Competencies:
    • Professional: Diversity, Communication, Ethical
    • Technical: Trauma, Report, Advocate, Critical Thinking, Case Analysis;
    • Organizational: Leadership, Teamwork, Community Approach.
  • Knowledge: Child Welfare
  • Skills: Office 0365, Bilingual (English – Spanish)
  • Other: Licensure; Driver’s License
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Other employment requirements include the following:
  • Fingerprints
  • Background check
  • TB Test
  • Must pass bilingual proficiency test
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES:
This is a sub-contractor position. Employment is conditional pending satisfactory results of all required tests and background checks mentioned above and a final interview with contractor. Periodic physical examinations and TB clearances will be required if hired. Please note the process for this position depending on your State of residence can take from one to four months after offer letter is received. Urban Strategies does not have final say on hiring or dismissal.
To Apply:
  • Please visit www.urbanstrategies.us/careers.
  • Please contact us with any questions: Recruiting@urbanstrategies.us.
Equal Opportunity Employer