Senior Paralegal - Released
New York City, NY
Legal Programs – Released /
Full-time /
Hybrid
About KIND
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children who are forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety.
Building on its extensive programming and successful model in the United States, KIND is expanding in the Americas and Europe to bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population; building strong partnerships and engaging in training and capacity strengthening with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic and pragmatic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.
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 could also potentially provide supervision to Paralegal(s) and other non-attorney staff and interns as needed and oversees training and development of paralegal staff in collaboration with Staff Attorneys, Senior Attorneys and Managing Attorneys.
Essential Functions
- Oversees the overall programmatic function of the KIND office paralegal program.
- Onboards, trains, and supervises paralegals, including conducting initial and ongoing training for paralegal staff; troubleshoots, reviews, and provides quality assurance of referrals, filings, and pleadings; provides daily support and coaching, and conducts regular check-ins and performance evaluations; and provides consistent and effective supervision to ensure the provision of consistent, high-quality paralegal support to the legal team.
- Conducts legal research, completes immigration benefit forms, and drafts affidavits and motions for immigration and state court proceedings in consultation with attorneys.
- Ensures consistent, accurate, and timely file maintenance and data entry into our case management system.
- In coordination with attorneys, assists in clients’ preparation for hearings and adjudicatory interviews.
- Supervises undergraduate interns, as needed, and assists with training of legal interns, as needed.
- Assists 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.
- Tracks and ensures referral and intake metrics achievement under grants and contracts in consultation with attorneys.
- Supervises paralegals in the consistent and quality provision of intake interviews, phone screenings, intake memos, and presentation of cases to attorneys; conducts intakes and phone screenings as needed.
- Assists 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, performs ordinary functions of an accredited representative including conducting client interviews; appears before immigration agencies; and drafts and files 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; ensures 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 keeps counsel apprised of updates and issues needing follow-up.
- For pro bono cases, assists 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; assists in targeted pro bono team support including provision of relevant samples, and guidance and training resources.
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.
- Fluent in Spanish and English.
- Minimum of 4 years 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 4 years of 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 3 years of 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 2 years of experience working with detained populations or youth in diverse institutional settings.
- Minimum of 1 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 and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities.
- Excellent organizational skills with ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment. Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate as appropriate.
- 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.
- Showing the ability to multi-task and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast paced environment.
- Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
- Experience working and communicating in a remote environment.
$27 - $33.26 an hour
Our Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance with KIND paying 100% of the employee only portion of the premium for one of the two medical plan options, dental, and vision.
- Pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA) for both medical and dependent care.
- Pre-tax transit and parking spending account.
- Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
- Employer-paid short and long-term disability insurance.
For a complete list of benefits, please click here.
Our Focus on Wellness
KIND recognizes that our ability to help our clients starts with helping our team members. KIND has prioritized wellness for employees through Mindfulness and Wellness Trainings, Wellness Platforms, Employee Assistance and Resilience Programs, Time Away and Office Wellness Activities.
For more information regarding our Wellness initiatives please visit this link.
KIND requires all staff be COVID vaccinated with the exception of those who have medical or religious beliefs exemptions.
Application Instructions
To be considered for this role, please submit an employment application at supportkind.org/join-the-team, along with your resume and cover letter.
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/.
