About KIND

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied refugee and migrant children. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety. Since 2008, KIND has accepted over 23,000 referrals of children seeking legal representation in their immigration proceedings. KIND has welcomed more than 41,000 attendees to trainings since its founding, cultivating partnerships with over 670 law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, and bar associations across the country.

KIND’s social services program ensures that migrant and refugee children – who have often endured trauma – receive counseling, educational support, medical care, and other comprehensive services.

To address the root causes of child migration from Central America and strengthen protection of unaccompanied children, KIND advocates for policy changes and educates lawmakers, the media, and the broader public on the conditions that drive these children to flee their home countries. KIND supports children returning to their home countries by connecting them to essential support services and sponsors gender-based violence prevention programs in Central America to protect children in countries of origin and transit.

KIND is also building upon its expertise in the protection of unaccompanied children to encourage the development of pro bono initiatives across Europe in partnership with European NGOs.

Position Summary:

KIND seeks a Paralegal who will be responsible for supporting KIND’s delivery of legal services through a range of case support tasks in coordination with our attorneys. Paralegals are responsible for conducting client intakes, legal research, preparation of immigration forms, drafting affidavits, maintaining files and data, hearing preparation, social services referrals, and other related duties. The Paralegal reports to the Staff or Senior Attorney.

Essential Functions:

• Provide support to attorneys, including conducting legal research; filling out immigration benefits and other standard forms; drafting affidavits and basic motions; assisting with hearing and interview preparation; maintaining case files and data entry in case management database; and other tasks as needed.
• Conduct Know Your Rights (KYR) presentations and intakes with detained children and track detained child arrivals to ensure all detained children receive KYR and intake within the required timeframe.
• Provide support to pro bono attorneys during case placement and assist with administrative and planning tasks related to pro bono attorney training and mentoring.
• Serve as point of contact for clients, proactively ensuring that case files and case management system reflect current contact information and status updates on case developments and child’s wellbeing.
• Conduct regular check-ins with the child for direct representation cases, particularly in cases in which case adjudication is delayed; update attorney and Senior Paralegal regarding new developments, as needed.
• Assist 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.
• Conduct an initial assessment of case referrals received against case acceptance criteria and program priorities.
• Ensure appropriate processing and data entry for referrals and intakes; and
• Liaise with Social Services Coordinators regarding social services needs and referrals; assist with social services projects depending on office needs; work collaboratively to achieve programmatic goals where legal services/social services intersect.

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.
• Advanced fluency in Spanish;
• Minimum of one year of experience working with children, preferably at-risk youth, immigrants or refugee children, and/or working with vulnerable populations, survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma;
• Minimum of one year of experience conducting legal intakes or interviewing children in a professional setting;
• Excellent organizational, time management skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to travel (locally) as assigned.
• Ability to work within an office environment and have regular interaction via telephone, videoconference, IM, and email with KIND's team.
• 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.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment with a keen orientation for details, and work both independently as well as a contributing member of a team.
• Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.

Salary Range: $41,616 - $52,020 dependent on experience

KIND requires all staff be COVID vaccinated with the exception of those who have medical or religious beliefs exemptions.

Application Instructions:

Please be advised that an employment application will need to be submitted along with your resume and cover letter, in order to be considered for the desired role.

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/ .

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