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 the 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 Senior Paralegal to support KIND’s delivery of legal services through a range of case preparation, legal research, and related tasks in support of the legal strategy for the client. The Senior Paralegal also provides supervision to Paralegal(s) and other non-attorney staff and interns as needed and oversee training and development of paralegal staff in collaboration with Staff Attorneys, Senior Attorneys and Managing Attorneys. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will pursue partial DOJ certification as part of this role.

Essential Functions:

• Oversee the overall programmatic function of the KIND office paralegal program.
• Onboard, train, and supervise paralegals, including conducting initial and ongoing training for paralegal staff; troubleshooting, reviewing, and providing quality assurance of referrals, filings, and pleadings; providing daily support and coaching, and conducting regular check-ins and performance evaluations; and providing consistent and effective supervision to ensure the provision of consistent, high-quality paralegal support to the legal team.
• Conduct legal research, complete immigration benefit forms, and draft affidavits and motions for immigration and state court proceedings in consultation with attorneys.
• Ensure consistent, accurate, and timely file maintenance and data entry into our case management system.
• In coordination with attorneys, assist in clients’ preparation for hearings and adjudicatory interviews.
• Supervise undergraduate interns, as needed, and assist with training of legal interns, as needed.
• Assist with the professional development of paralegals and other staff in collaboration with attorneys, and in consultation with KIND’s National Training and Technical Assistance Team.
• Track and ensure referral and intake metrics achievement under grants and contracts in consultation with attorneys.
• Supervise paralegals in the consistent and quality provision of intake interviews, phone screenings, intake memos, and presentation of cases to attorneys; conduct intakes and phone screenings as needed.
• Assist with pro bono training, including non-attorney pro bono team members, through the preparation of training materials, provision of discrete training on topics such as translation, and other related tasks.
• Assess cases for social service needs and assist with social services referrals; liaise with Social Services Coordinators to achieve programmatic goals where legal services/social services intersect.
• For direct representation cases, perform ordinary functions of an accredited representative including conducting client interviews; appearing before immigration agencies; and drafting and filing applications for benefits. Serve as point of contact for clients, proactively ensuring that case files and case management system reflect current contact information, case developments, and updates on child’s wellbeing and service needs; ensure regular check-ins with the child are conducted in consultation with attorney, particularly in cases in which case adjudication is delayed due to retrogression or otherwise; and keep counsel apprised of updates and issues needing follow-up.
• For pro bono cases, assist in case audit efforts, and ensure that updates from pro bono team regarding legal case and child’s wellbeing are timely recorded in case management system; assist in targeted pro bono team support including provision of relevant samples, and guidance and training resources.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree;
• Fluent in Spanish and English;
• Minimum of four years' 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 four years' experience in humanitarian-based immigration work, including conducting legal intakes, assessing legal claims, and assisting attorneys on legal applications to obtain immigration benefits;
• Minimum of three years' experience in working independently on projects and/or programs, demonstrating initiative and willingness to learn and contribute thought leadership and innovative strategies to the work.
• Minimum of two years' experience working with detained populations or youth in diverse institutional settings;
• Minimum of one year experience with preparing and delivering presentations on legal and know-your-rights information to immigrant audiences, preferably families and children.
• Proven ability to supervise or coach and guide others on programs and/or projects.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, and attention to detail.
• Strong cultural competency and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suites (such as Teams, Excel, etc.)
• Ability to work collaboratively, multi-task, and pay attention to detail in a dynamic and busy environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different 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 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.
• 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.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Ability to work within an office environment and have regular interaction via telephone, videoconference, IM, and email with KIND's national team. KIND requires all staff be COVID vaccinated with the exception of those who have medical or religious beliefs exemptions. 

Language requirement:

• English: Fluent
• Spanish: Fluent

Salary Range: $48,640 – $60,800 depending on experience

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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