Program Coordinator

ABOUT ICARE

Immigrant Children Advocates’ Relief Effort (ICARE) is a coalition of nonprofit organizations dedicated to expanding access to legal representation for unaccompanied children facing deportation in New York City, while advocating for universal access to counsel. Our members include Catholic Charities Community Services, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), Legal Aid Society, Safe Passage Project, and The Door.

Immigrant children are not afforded free legal representation by the government, regardless of their age. Without a lawyer, they’re nearly guaranteed to lose their immigration case resulting in rapid deportation, returning to the danger from which they fled. This is where ICARE steps in, our members provide free legal assistance to immigrant children in New York City. Since our inception in 2014, ICARE has supported over 14,000 children by offering know-your-rights trainings, legal screenings, direct representation and connections to city and social services, ensuring vulnerable immigrant children do not have to face court alone.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Program Coordinator is a youth-facing, bilingual (Spanish–English) role that drives outreach, conducts eligibility screenings, and supports management of ICARE’s centralized waitlist so young immigrants are quickly connected to free legal help and wraparound services. The Coordinator speaks directly with youth and caregivers, provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive support, coordinates warm handoffs to provider organizations, and helps run day-to-day operations of the waitlist and responds to client and community inquiries.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Outreach and Intake (40%)

• Conduct outreach by phone, text, and in person to ensure youth can access services
• Staff community and court-based events
• Run the text line during assigned shifts and triage urgent inquiries.
• Complete eligibility screenings for unaccompanied and SIJS-eligible youth in clear, youth-friendly language
• Provide plain-language resources and information about available services

Waitlist and Referrals (40%)

• Maintain and update the centralized waitlist and wraparound referral documents
• Support matching youth to providers per eligibility and capacity; coordinate warm handoffs to legal and social services.
• Input accurate, timely notes on waitlist; save and file all screening forms and related documentation appropriately
• Coordinate warm handoffs to legal and social services

Court Preparation & Volunteer Support (10%)

• Provide court reminders and support planning for in-person versus virtual appearances; plan in-person versus virtual appearances
• Provide advocacy letters and coordinate interpretation needs as appropriate.
• Schedule and support volunteers for Immigration Court observation
• Manage materials and on-site logistics for court-related programming

Coordination and Training/TA Support (10%)

• Enter accurate, timely data; support weekly and monthly reporting; collaborate with member organizations, schools, shelters, and community partners; participate in team meetings.
• Assist with logistics for member trainings and technical assistance sessions; manage sign-ins, materials, and follow-ups.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

If this job excites you and aligns with your values and aspirations, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the listed qualifications. The strongest candidates for this position will have most of the following qualifications and characteristics:

To be successful in this position, you will excel in the following areas:

• Mission Alignment: You have a passion for our mission, and you believe it is critical for all immigrants to have access to counsel.
• Youth-Centered Communication: You're a clear and compassionate communicator by phone, text, and in person. You provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed support to immigrant youth and families while maintaining strong boundaries and confidentiality with personal data.
• Collaboration & Adaptability: You work effectively with diverse teams including member organizations, schools, shelters, and community partners. You're comfortable wearing different hats, responding to urgent needs, and adjusting plans as circumstances change.
• Proactive Problem-Solving: You identify barriers that prevent youth from accessing services and find creative solutions. You're resourceful in navigating complex systems and connecting young people to the help they need.
• Organizational Excellence & Attention to Detail: You're meticulous with data entry and documentation, keeping accurate records that help youth get connected to services quickly. You can manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

Ideal candidates for this position will also have:

• Spanish–English bilingual (required); additional languages are a plus.
• 1–3 years in a direct-service role with youth (for example, paralegal, case manager, social worker, navigator, or advocate).
• Demonstrated ability to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed support to immigrant youth and families.
• Clear and compassionate communicator by phone, text, and in person; maintains strong boundaries and confidentiality with personal data.
• Comfort with fast-paced coordination, meticulous data entry, and basic tools (Microsoft 365/Teams and a CRM or spreadsheet).
• Knowledge of immigrant youth issues, including immigration court basics, SIJS pathway, and community resources (training provided), are a plus

Work Environment

Hybrid role with regular on-site presence at partner locations. Our team practices youth-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive service, values collaboration, and welcomes feedback to improve processes and outcomes.

Competitive benefits package including health, dental and life insurance; 12 weeks paid family leave; long-term disability; flex spending accounts; eligibility to participate in 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plans; and generous vacation.

This is a one-year position, contingent on renewed funding.

Spanish–English bilingual (required); additional languages are a plus.