Department: Legal Programs

Location: New York, NY

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.

Position Summary

KIND seeks a Program Coordinator to provide support for legal services programming in the provision of legal services to detained unaccompanied children facing removal proceedings in New York.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as case database expert for the team, including running weekly and monthly reports, and coordinating program's accurate, timely, and fulsome data maintenance;
• Serve as central point of contact on the team for legal data management, data systems, and data integrity
• Prepare docket lists for upcoming court dockets and notify children who are still waiting for attorney placement of hearing date;
• 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 required timeframe;
• Draft case summaries for cases accepted by the program;
• Manage client referral systems for detained and released children; coordinate and maintain released child intake waitlist; assign released intakes to be completed by other staff; and conduct KYRs and intakes of eligible released children;
• Maintain regular contact with clients who have not yet been placed with direct representation or pro bono counsel;
• For direct representation cases, update clients’ contact information in case file, case management database, and with required courts and agencies in coordination with attorney;
• Maintain file and case management database with updates on case status and child well-being;
• Refer detained children who are released to sponsors in other jurisdictions to legal service providers in said jurisdictions;
• Prepare case file and a comprehensive set of referral documents and assist with duties relating to pro bono placement, support, and mentoring;
• Assist with case preparation for direct representation of clients;
• Oversee case file closing procedures and assist with case closures;
• Other duties as assigned, including but not limited to administrative duties of the office, mail, supplies, and related tasks.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Advanced fluency in Spanish language;
• Minimum 1 year experience working with at-risk youth, immigrants, and/or vulnerable populations;
• Minimum 1 year experience working with legal databases, managing dockets, and leading projects;
• Demonstrated commitment to issues affecting immigrants;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, and attention to detail;
• Strong cultural competency and cross-cultural communication skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple attorneys;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing;
• Ability to adapt to a high-volume workload with fast-changing deadlines and priorities;
• Experience conducting legal intakes or interviewing children preferred; and
• Experience working in an office setting preferred.
• Ability to work within an office environment and have regular interaction via telephone, videoconference, IM and email with KIND's team

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.

Apply at: https://supportkind.hrmdirect.com/employment/job-opening.php?req=1555469&&cust_sort1=100304&&nohd#job