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:

In conjunction with the Social Services Management team,  the responsibilities of the Senior Social Service Coordinator will include providing therapeutic support to high risk cases, clinical consultations, and the design and implementing Trauma Informed outreach and training within KIND and external partners.  

Essential Functions

 May be responsible for one or more of the following: 

 Social Services Team Management 

• Participate in drafting Social Services team components, including metrics, logic models, and narratives, for grant applications and reports 

• Support fundraising and development efforts, as well as grant reporting for the Social Services team 

• Provide consultation on high risk and vulnerable cases across KIND offices  

• Create, update, and implement ethical policies, procedures, and guidelines to be implemented across all field offices and compiled in an updated Social Services Handbook 

• Create, update, and implement guidelines for the Social Services team in an interdisciplinary model pertaining to attorney-client and work-product privilege, federal and state confidentiality, and mandatory reporting laws 

• Create and implement guidelines on working with unaccompanied children working with pro bono volunteer attorneys with a focus on Trauma Informed Care  

• Create guidelines and lead Social Services team on self-care, wellness, prevention of vicarious trauma and burn out, as well as appropriate professionalism in client relations  

Supervision of Social Service Intern(s) 

• Supervise interns with generalist scope of practice including MSW Field Placements within designated field office(s) 

• Consult and work regularly with KIND staff  to integrate holistic, trauma-informed, and client-centered services that consider both legal strategy and social  service needs  

• Evaluate and provide expert consultation to the Social Services team and KIND attorneys on services referral, needs assessments, advocacy strategy, safety planning, and crisis management  

Direct Client work, Technical Assistance, Therapeutic Supports, Training, and Outreach 

• Work with small caseload of  high-needs clients utilizing a range of therapeutic interventions with an emphasis on screening for trauma, establishing safety, building trust, increasing coping strategies, and providing in-depth support during legal proceedings 

• Conduct  needs assessment with KIND’s U.S./Mexico Special Programs team to design and implement quarterly trainings for staff and PBAs. Trainings will include such topics as Trauma Informed Interviewing Skills and Culturally Responsive Practices with Indigenous Populations 

• Provide technical assistance and expertise to KIND staff and community partners with an emphasis on Trauma Informed interventions when working with UAC and refugee populations 

• Work with community partners to coordinate services and collaborate in efforts; with emphasis on Language access, mental health supports and avoiding re-traumatization 

• Develop and assist with trainings and presentations 

• Represent KIND at local coalitions, courts, and agencies 

Outreach, Training, and Technical Assistance

• Lead, design and implement partner support activities including training, programming, and consultations.  

• Develop guidelines and implement trainings on key topics using Trauma-Informed Principles and a Culturally responsive Lens. 

• Provide individualized technical assistance and expertise to KIND staff and community partners. 

• Prepare practice advisories and gather materials regarding best practices on topics pertinent to KIND’s social services delivery. 

• Support data and protocol development and foster program sustainability. 

• Create a state-based database of community partners and community engagement plan.? 

• Support the development of a providers’ collaborative toward cross-learning, programming implementation, and general collective client engagement when needed.  

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Social Work or advanced degree in related field, preferably in Social Work, Counseling, or related specialty 

• Three to five years of experience in social work, counseling, child therapy, or related specialty; Preferred experience working with trauma survivors  

• Experience working with immigrant and refugee children and youth, and low-income, diverse communities 

• Experience supervising interns and volunteers 

• Experience conducting outreach and managing external partnerships  

• Experience creating and conducting training to large audiences and interdisciplinary teams 

• Fluency in English and Spanish, spoken and written 

• Ability to work collaboratively 

• Strong record of intercultural responsiveness, sensitivity and awareness, and cross-cultural communication skills 

• Experience working with a diverse team of social service providers and advocating on behalf of clients 

• Ability to effectively conduct trainings to diverse audiences in person and virtually, including attorney trainings and Know Your Rights presentations for child clients 

• Familiarity or ability to work with adult immigrant caretakers, or training in trauma-informed parenting 

• Experience working with attorneys, law firms, or other legal service providers preferred 

• Ability to travel as assigned 

• Ability to work within an office environment, have regular interaction via telephone, teleconference, video and email with KIND’s team and have in-person meetings with clients 

Salary Range: $61,360 - $76,700 depending 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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