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SalaryAbout 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. 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:
KIND seeks a Social Services Coordinator to work with KIND’s child clients and their families to identify needs and gaps in services, assist families in accessing services related to education, health, mental health, housing, mediation, and childcare and provide leadership in establishing and sustaining relationships with local and state Social Services partners.
Essential Functions:
- Develops and maintains a knowledge base of Social Services available to clients in assigned work areas.
- Develops relationships with community coalitions in areas of high client concentration.
- Establishes working relationships and partnerships with local service providers and administrators in each service area to enhance the referral process.
- Conducts assessments of referred clients, including the larger context in which the child is living, identifying needs, barriers, and safety concerns.
- Maintains documentation regarding attempts to access services and service delivery.
- Tracks and reports client data, outreach actions and outcomes, and general information for program evaluation, performance quality, and development purposes.
- Completes referrals to services, assists families in completing intake requirements for these services, and follow up as necessary.
- Assists KIND legal staff in working with families in crisis and transition.
- Works with other KIND Social Services Coordinators nationally to develop best practices, protocols, and provide training and support on relevant topics for KIND staff.
- Conducts training to support pro bono attorneys and community social providers.
- Works closely with other legal services providers, law firms, corporations, and law schools in relevant jurisdiction(s) to identify and support resource-sharing amongst these partner agencies.
- Supervises interns and volunteers.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Undergraduate degree in Social Work or related field, preferably in counseling, or related specialty.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience working with immigrant populations; experience working with unaccompanied minors preferred.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience working with children, preferably unaccompanied minors, immigrant and refugee children, or experience working with survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma.
- Ability to work collaboratively, and preferably, prior experience working with attorneys, law firms, or other legal service providers.
- A 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 verbalize and implement therapeutic-focused strategies for children/families.
- Ability to effectively conduct training to diverse audiences in person and virtually, including attorney training and diverse presentations for child clients.
- Familiarity or ability to work with adult immigrant caretakers, or training in trauma-informed parenting.
- Ability to manage, create and oversee various events that aim towards bringing resources and services to child clients.
- Ability to network with local coalitions to establish strong relationships to allow for cross-referrals.
- Ability to travel as assigned.
- Ability to work within an office environment, have regular interaction via telephone, teleconference, IM, and email with KIND’s team, and have in-person meetings with clients
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (and Spanish).
- 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.
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/.
