Program Coordinator, K-12 School Project

Position Overview:

The Program Coordinator keeps day-to-day operations running for JFS’s school-based immigration legal services program for immigrant families in San Diego K-12 schools. Often the first JFS voice a family or school hears, this role coordinates clinic scheduling, school partner logistics, incoming referrals, and program data, and supports interpretation during client meetings at walk-in clinics and detention center visits, so the attorney, paralegal, and social worker can focus on families. Many callers are school staff, students, parents or caregivers in the middle of a crisis, including families whose loved one has just been detained by immigration enforcement. This role responds with calm, warmth, and urgency, and makes sure every family and school gets a clear next step.

Responsibilities:

• Serves as the first point of contact for the program’s phone line, email, and walk-in inquiries, responding to families and school staff with patience, cultural sensitivity, and a trauma-informed approach.
• Receives and logs referrals from partner schools, and immediately routes urgent matters, such as a parent’s detention, to the program attorney the same day.
• Schedules legal consultations, intakes, follow-up appointments, and family meetings across school clinics, the JFS office, and phone or video, and manages the team’s shared calendars.
• Coordinates logistics for weekly school-based clinics and parent workshops, including room reservations, materials, sign-in, interpretation needs, reminders, and communication with school liaisons.
• Maintains the school partner contact list and serves as the day-to-day logistics contact for school staff and administrators.
• Provides general program information and screens for basic eligibility, routing all legal questions to the attorney or paralegal without providing legal advice.
• Sends appointment reminders and follow-up communications to families in their preferred language and prepares mailings and correspondence.
• Enters and maintains accurate client, referral, and service data in the case management system, and compiles program data for funder and internal reports.
• Supports the program social workers in coordinating practical assistance for families, such as food, diapers, and referrals to other JFS services.
• Maintains organized physical and electronic files, office supplies, and clinic materials, following confidentiality and record-keeping policies.
• Supports attorneys and legal staff by interpreting during client meetings at walk-in clinics and detention center visits, ensuring accurate, confidential, and culturally responsive communication, and translating program materials as needed.
• As capacity allows, has the opportunity to support immigration legal cases under attorney supervision, such as assisting with case preparation, gathering supporting documents, and completing forms.
• Provides general administrative support to the Keeping Families Together team and other Immigration Legal Services programs as needed.

Skills/Experience/Abilities That Are a Must-Have:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 1+ years of administrative, scheduling, front desk, or customer service experience, ideally in a social service, school, healthcare, or legal setting.
• Have a valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle, and auto insurance for travel to school sites.
• Calm, warm, and professional presence with people who are frightened or in crisis.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple calendars, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, and fluency in at least one language spoken by program clients (Spanish strongly preferred), with the ability to interpret accurately in legal settings.
• Ability to accurately enter and maintain data and protect confidential client information.
• Ability to take initiative, use good judgment about urgency, and work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to obtain the fingerprint-based background clearance and TB screening required by partner school districts, completed after a conditional offer of employment.
• Ability to meet the security and visitor clearance requirements of immigration detention facilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Zoom/Teams, and comfort learning case management and scheduling systems.

Skills/Abilities We’d Like You to Have:

• Additional language fluency valued, including Haitian Creole, Spanish, Ukrainian, Russian, Arabic, Farsi/Dari, French, or Portuguese.
• Associate’s degree or some college coursework.
• Experience working with immigrant families, children, or schools.
• Experience interpreting in legal, medical, or social services settings.
• Experience in a nonprofit or legal services setting.
• Experience coordinating events, workshops, or community programs.

Physical Requirements:

The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk, including moving between offices, classrooms, and community spaces at school sites; use hands to handle documents, type, and use a mouse and telephone; and talk or hear to communicate in person, over the phone, or with others in a potentially noisy environment such as a school campus. The employee must occasionally lift, push, or pull up to 25 pounds, such as clinic materials and supplies.

Other Duties:

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Position Title: Program Coordinator – K-12 School Project

Organization: Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Department: Immigration Legal Rights Program

Position Type: Full-Time (37.5+ hours/week)

Work Setting: Fully Onsite

Reports To: Staff Attorney

Pay Range: $23 to $30/hour

Total Compensation:

In addition to standard pay, compensation for this position includes:

• Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees
• Generous employer 401(k) contributions
• Employer-covered life insurance

Time Away from Work:

Being able to take time away from work is critical in bringing your best self to work. Time off benefits for this position include:

• Paid vacation time and sick leave
• 15 paid holidays, including Federal and Jewish holidays (as long as the holiday lands on a normal scheduled work day), and floating holidays
• 2 Wellness Days to be taken any time during the year to support employees’ mental wellness

About Jewish Family Service of San Diego
Jewish Family Service of San Diego is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, more resilient community. For over 100 years, Jewish Family Service has been a trusted resource for the entire community, offering an array of services that are always life-changing, and often life-saving. At Jewish Family Service, we believe our employees are the backbone of our Agency. We strive to ensure that each employee is treated with dignity and respect. Our goal is your success. Come work at JFS and be our partner in Moving Forward Together. To learn more about JFS, please visit jfssd.org.

*Jewish Family Service is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.