Temporary Paralegal, Hartford, CT

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 Paralegal who will be responsible for supporting KIND’s delivery of legal services 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. The Paralegal reports to the Staff or Senior Attorney.

This position is contingent upon continued funding.

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Essential Functions

• Provides support to attorneys, including conducting legal research; fills out immigration benefits and other standard forms; drafts affidavits and basic motions; assists with hearing and interview preparation; maintains case files and data entry in the case management database; and other tasks as needed.
• Conducts client phone screenings, intake interviews, and know your rights presentations and draft intake memoranda.
• Provides support to pro bono attorneys during case placement and assists with administrative and planning tasks related to pro bono attorney training and mentoring.
• Serves 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.
• Conducts regular check-ins with the child for direct representation cases, particularly in cases in which case adjudication is delayed; updates attorney and senior paralegal regarding new developments, as needed.
• Assists 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.
• Conducts an initial assessment of case referrals received against case acceptance criteria and program priorities.
• Ensures appropriate processing and data entry for referrals and intakes.
• Liaises with Social Services Coordinators regarding social services needs and referrals; assists with social services projects depending on office needs; works collaboratively to achieve programmatic goals where legal services/social services intersect.

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.
• Must be fluent in English and Spanish (required for direct communication with the children we serve and their caregivers, the majority of whom are Spanish-speaking).
• Minimum of one year of experience working with children, preferably at-risk youth, immigrants or refugee children.
• Minimum of one year of experience conducting legal intakes or interviewing children in a professional setting.
• Excellent organizational, time management skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to travel (locally) as assigned.
• Ability to work within an office environment and have regular interaction via telephone, videoconference, IM, and email with KIND's team.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (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 the ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment; ability to prioritize tasks and delegate as appropriate.
• Ability to multitask 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 preferred but not required.

\n$22.92 - $28.65 an hour\n

Our Benefits

- Medical, dental, and vision insurance with KIND paying 100% of the employee only portion of the premium for one of the three 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.  

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.

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/.