Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children who are forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety. Building on its extensive programming and successful model in the United States, KIND is expanding in the Americas and Europe to bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population; building strong partnerships and engaging in training and capacity strengthening with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic and pragmatic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.
Position Summary: KIND seeks a National Paralegal responsible for supporting KIND’s delivery of legal services to KIND clients across KIND field offices through a range of case support tasks in coordination with our attorneys. The National Team is comprised of attorneys and paralegals who fill a critical role for work at KIND by deploying remotely to work with field offices who are experiencing staffing vacancies. Members of the National Team also work across KIND to help identify trends and patterns and elevate them with KIND leadership. The incumbent is responsible for conducting client intakes, legal research, preparation of immigration forms, drafting affidavits, maintaining files and data, travel preparation, social services referrals, and other related duties. The National Paralegal reports to the National Staff Attorney. This a headquarters position based remotely from any location in the U.S. Occasional travel will be required to support field offices.
Essential Functions:
- Provides support to attorneys, including conducting legal research; fills out immigration benefits and other standard forms, specifically for humanitarian parole and employee authorization documents; drafts affidavits; assists with documentation and logistics in preparation for travel to the U.S.; maintains case files and data entry in case management database; and other tasks as needed.
- Translates documents and assisting with overall administrative duties of the local office, including database management, operations, technical support, and similar, and may include other administrative duties for the office such as mail processing, supplies, and related tasks.
- Conducts client phone screenings and intake interviews and draft intake memoranda.
- Provides support to pro bono attorneys during case placement and assist with administrative and plans tasks related to pro bono attorney training and mentoring.
- Serves as point of contact for clients, proactively ensures that case files and case management system reflect current contact information and status updates on case developments and child’s wellbeing.
- Conducts regular check-ins with the family for direct representation cases, particularly in cases in which case adjudication is delayed; update team members regarding new developments, as needed.
- Assists in case audit efforts for pro bono cases, ensuring that updates from pro bono attorneys regarding case status and child’s wellbeing are timely and accurately recorded.
- Assesses cases for social service needs and assist with social services referrals; liaises with Social Services Coordinators to achieve programmatic goals where legal services/social services intersect.
- Conducts an initial assessment of case referrals received against case acceptance criteria and program priorities.
- Ensures appropriate processing and data entry for referrals and intakes.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Bachelor's or undergraduate degree with 1 year of relevant experience; or high school diploma with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
- Must be fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
- Minimum of 1 year of experience working with at-risk youth, immigrants, refugees, and/or vulnerable populations.
- Minimum of 1 year of experience conducting legal intakes or interviewing children in a professional setting preferred.
- Ability to travel nationally as assigned, with potential for travel into Mexico at the border.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (and Spanish).
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suites (such as Teams, Excel, etc.).
- Ability to work collaboratively and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities.
- Excellent organizational skills with ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment. Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate as appropriate.
- Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles.
- Committed to prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as embracing transparency and authenticity in daily work life.
- Be disciplined and nimble to ensure delivery on our core mission of access to justice and protection of children’s wellbeing and rights.
- Showing the ability to multi-task and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast paced environment.
- Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
- Experience working and communicating in a remote environment.
Application Instructions:
To be considered for this role, please submit an employment application at supportkind.org/join-the-team, along with your resume and cover letter. KIND has an organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to create a work environment where everyone has a sense of belonging. Individuals from historically underrepresented or underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply. Disclaimer: KIND is committed to an ethical recruitment and hiring process and maintains a firm “no fees” recruitment policy. We will never charge a fee or ask for money as part of the application process. KIND also conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference, and at no time will KIND engage in a text or mobile app-based application or interview process. For more information, please visit the following website: https://supportkind.org/join-the-team/kind-employment-practices/.
United States
