Organizer – External Organizing

Position

Purpose:

Organizers lead workers to form, build, and grow our union; guide workers to negotiate and enforce their union contracts; mobilize workers around worksite issues, politics, public policy, and other issues affecting the lives of workers; develop rank-and-file leadership among workers; and carry out all other programs of the union in the field. SEIU Local 2015 organizers may be assigned to work as "internal" organizers – working with and on behalf of workers who are already in unions;

or as "external" organizers – working with and on behalf of workers who are in the process of building a union for the first time.

• Experience with the following types of employers is highly significant: labor unions, progressive issue advocacy organizations, community organizations, political campaigns, and staff of elected officials.
• Very strong preference will be given to candidates who have completed SEIU “Wave” training or other formal training programs for organizers.
• Personal commitment to the mission and goals of SEIU and to the specific program of SEIU Local 2015.
• Exercise discretion and independent judgment are considered key components to achieving organizer performance standards.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to identify and assess worker issues.
• The ability to work with a team and independently.
• Ability to track campaign data, evaluate and effectively move turf.
• Are deeply committed to improving workers lives and build a strong labor movement.
• Are self‑motivated to achieve campaign goals.
• Strong personal planning and time management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Basic computer literacy on Windows‑ computer programs in order to perform necessary campaign data management and administrative work.
• Willingness and ability to work long, irregular hours, including early morning, evenings and weekends.
• Fluency in a second language is also highly desirable.
• The ability to work with people from other cultures and backgrounds.
• Having a valid driver’s license, use of a car for work, and automobile insurance are mandatory conditions of employment in this role.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout state of California.
• Other tasks and duties as assigned.
Opportunities for Growth and Development:

SEIU Local 2015 is committed to providing staff development opportunities and resources. It is recognized that the majority of an organizer’s skill development happens through on-the-job experience. These experiences will be a result of Local 2015’s pursuit of new and innovative ways to identify, grow and develop member leaders while growing and developing Local 2015 staff. Local 2015 is committed to becoming a leader in achieving both of these goals in pursuit of justice for all workers and ever-increasing member strength.

Duties

and Responsibilities Organizer (representative)
• Membership recruitment and COPE/PAF (Committee on Political Empowerment/Political Accountability Fund) Fundraising. This is seen as a primary duty of an organizer, with COPE contribution/membership indivisible from membership recruitment goals.
• Assess, identify, recruit, and develop workers into activists and leaders via house visits, worksite visits, organizing meetings, phone calls and literature, for example, prepare meeting agendas and other communication tools such as emails, fliers, etc.
• Assist in developing worker leaders through conducting basic trainings providing appropriate tools to lead and holding them accountable to clear goals regarding the execution of the Local’s program in workplaces and communities.
• Plan one’s own work as assigned; make and execute daily, weekly, and monthly work plans based on assigned goals and objectives.
• Engage in strategic thinking to assess issues, evaluate a campaign and its components, achieve goals of the union in the field, anticipate and understand management and industrial activity, and provide reports and analysis to local leadership.
• Work within allotted budget to ensure appropriate and effective financial stewardship of our members’ dues money.
• Understand how to conduct basic research to gather and track information about workers, employers, NLRB or…