Temporary Interim Paralegal
Job Description
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 an Interim Paralegal who will be responsible for supporting KIND’s delivery of legal services to children in Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Custody 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.
This is a temporary position with an anticipated duration of six months, with the possibility of an extension.
Essential Functions:
- Provide support to attorneys, including conducting legal research; filling out immigration benefit 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 trainings, client phone screenings and intake interviews and draft intake memoranda. Intake interviews are currently being conducted remotely (via video calls) but may move back to in-person at the ORR facilities upon the lifting of pandemic restrictions.
- Communicate with ORR facility staff regarding the logistics of the provision of legal services and release or transfer of the children.
- 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 initial assessment of case referrals received against case acceptance criteria and program priorities.
- Ensure appropriate processing and data entry for referrals and intakes.
- 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 degree
- 1+ years’ experience working with at-risk youth, immigrants, refugees, and/or vulnerable populations
- Advanced fluency in Spanish language
- Excellent organizational, time management skills, and attention to detail
- Strong cultural competency and cross-cultural communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with multiple attorneys and non-attorney colleagues
- 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
- Experience working in an office setting preferred
- Ability to travel as assigned
- 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.
How to Apply
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