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. 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:
Essential Functions:
- Evaluates and recommends to the Director, HR Operations, Senior Director, HR and CHRO updates to plan documents, plan summaries, benefit summaries, new hire orientation and open enrollment materials and ongoing marketing/educational materials.
- Manages the administration of leave of absences. Ensures compliance with FMLA, PDL, CFRA, ADA, and any other applicable federal and state mandated laws.
- Ensures the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in the HRIS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information.
- Delivers benefits orientation.
- Audits expenses related to benefit payouts and performs quality checks of benefits-related data.
- Assists employees regarding benefits claim issues and plan changes.
- Creates and distributes all benefits enrollment materials and determines eligibility.
- Processes employees’ benefit and life status changes in HRIS and confirms changes with carriers.
- Responds to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries.
- Coordinates with our vendor to process, track and administer all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork: medical, personal, disability and FMLA.
- Responds to 401k audits and inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts.
- Partners with the Director, HR Operations to manage the open enrollment process.
- Reviews benefits bills and audits, including wellness vendors administration.
- Secures a standard and competitive approach to private medical and life insurance and plans for domestic and international staff.
- Manages payroll changes and liaises with Finance team.
- Responsible for HRIS accuracy.
- Supports HR team with department budget management and compensation planning.
- Supports the HR team wellness programs, including drafting wellness proposals.
- Participates in process improvement efforts and department projects.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in HR Operations to include benefits administration, preferably in a nonprofit setting.
- Extensive knowledge of employee benefits and applicable laws.
- SHRM or benefits certification required.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills; strong cross-cultural and interpersonal skills; ability to build rapport with staff at all levels.
- Proven experience working with diverse or historically underserved communities.
- 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.
- Excellent discretion and ability to handle sensitive information with tact and diplomacy.
- Strong technological skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint and HR information systems, Paylocity and ADP.
- Ability to work within an office environment and have regular interaction via telephone, videoconference, IM, and email with KIND's team.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- 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.
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/.