External Organizer

EXTERNAL ORGANIZER Overview

SEIU Local 521 was founded in 2007 when five local unions joined forces across the Bay Area, Central Coast, and Central Valley to form a larger, more powerful union. Together our members are building a true 21st‑century union fighting to empower and improve the lives of our members. We represent over 50,000 public service workers in cities, counties, courts, schools, private non‑profits, special districts, and public health care.

AT SEIU LOCAL 521:
Our mission is to provide our members with a voice in the workplace, in their union, and in the larger community. Through our actions we intend to create a more just and humane society. We are committed to protecting and improving the lives of workers and their families, and to improving and protecting the services we provide to our communities.

We believe that by working together as a united front we can win better contracts and build industry power in our region.

External Organizer will organize new bargaining units into SEIU Local 521. Organizing is focused on the public sector, privatized public services, and public health care.

• Organize non‑union workers to drive change and bring them into SEIU Local 521.
• Assess, build relationships with, motivate, and agitate workers through individual and group meetings; recruit, develop, and mobilize worker organizing committees.
• Identify, recruit, and develop leaders; train and supervise member organizers.
• Plan and execute actions, events, marches, etc. at worksites and beyond.
• Build toward union elections, negotiate election agreements, and file charges through NLRB and PERB.
• Develop and execute organizing campaign plans; contribute to community and political outreach, campaign communications, targeting, lead development, and research.
• Support other key local union priorities as needed.

• Willingness to travel frequently and/or for extended periods within the local’s jurisdiction, based on work assignments.
• Willingness to work long and irregular hours, often including nights and weekends.
• A strong commitment to social and economic justice and the commitment to organize the unorganized through the labor movement.
• At least one year of experience as a full‑time external organizer or equivalent community or rank‑and‑file member organizing experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; good listening skills are a necessity.
• Ability to create and execute detailed organizing plans.
• Ability to establish rapport with and organize workers across diverse ethnic, social, economic, and occupational groups.
• Good judgment and the ability to discern priorities when faced with many important tasks.
• Ability to think strategically and respond to rapidly changing situations.
• Basic computer literacy and a willingness to use technology where needed.
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously as part of a team.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred but not required.

Must possess a valid California driver’s license; must pass a DMV check and have a good driving record; must have auto insurance covering business driving (minimum of $100,000 per person/$300,000 per incident bodily injury liability/$100,000 property coverage); and must possess an automobile for business use.

Salary commensurate with experience ($84,125.91–$ Annual). SEIU Local 521 employees enjoy top‑notch benefits including fully employer‑paid family health, dental, and vision insurance; a generous leave package; fully employer‑paid defined benefit pension plan; 401(k); flexible savings accounts for annual health and childcare expenses; and other benefits outlined in the policies of SEIU 521.

This position is open until filled; however, the posting/acceptance of applications may close at any time.

Local 521 is an affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. Local 521 works to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforces policies against discrimination and sexual harassment.