Local 521

UNION-COMMUNITY/POLITICAL ORGANIZER

BAKERSFIELD

DEFINITION
Under direction of the Political Director, works in community coalitions and builds support among community groups and leaders for Local’s strategic campaigns and objectives.

TYPICAL TASKS
All duties listed are required, but may or may not be continuously performed or ongoing at any specific time.  This list is not necessarily all inclusive:
1. Identify potential allies among labor, religious, ethnic, immigrant, advocacy, patient/client, disability, environmental, senior, neighborhood and other appropriate community organizations and leaders.
2. Develop relationships with potential allies, educate them on SEIU Local 521 campaigns and objectives and organize them to support those campaigns and objectives.
3. Coordinate SEIU Local 521’s participation in activities in support of community allies.
4. Maintain database and other records on community organizations and leaders in the area.
5. Plan, in conjunction with organizing/worksite organizing/research/ communications staff, the community component to strategic campaigns being carried out by the Local.  Carry out community component of plan.
6. Organize community forums, petitions and press conferences in support of strategic campaigns.
7. Attend meetings of allied community organizations when appropriate to maintain effective relationships and build support for union campaigns.
8. Track the membership and activity of Local 521 members in community organizations that may be potential allies.
9. Recruit, develop and train Local 521 members to effectively represent the union in community organizations.
10. Turnout community organizations to union events.
11. Create organizations, when appropriate, of key constituents needed for strategic leverage (i.e. hospital patient organization, local resident organization, etc).
12. Participate in Local programs including political campaigns, organizing blitzes and other Local-wide efforts.  May participate in Local-wide committee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Two years of full-time paid experience in community organizing.
1. High level ability to communicate orally and in writing;
2. Ability to establish, maintain rapport and work in mutually beneficial coalitions with widely varied ethnic, social and philosophical groups;
3. Ability to work under pressure and with minimal supervision;
4. Ability to plan strategically, follow a plan and be accountable to a team in carrying out a plan;
5. Dedication to building power for workers and a willingness to participate in a wide field of activities towards that objective;
6. Drivers license, automobile and insurance;
7. Freedom and willingness to work irregular and long hours and attend required evening and weekend meetings.
8. Bilingual (Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Chinese) preferred.
9. Established relationships with community organizations in Local 521 areas preferred.

These skills will normally have been developed by working as a full time union staff member in organizing or representational assignments.

We believe in Affirmative Action.  Women, people of color and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. 

BENEFITS
• Monthly salary range beginning at $4,460.86 (some flexibility depending on experience).
• Employer-paid pension plan.
• Fully paid health insurance.
• Liberal vacation and sick leave.
• Life insurance and vision care.
• Pleasant atmosphere, great co-workers and supervisors.

Out-of-State Candidates:  Our Selection Committee is very insistent on interviewing candidates in person. Resumes will be accepted on a continuous basis.  Interviews will be scheduled when necessary.  Apply immediately for current openings.

Email, Fax, or mail your cover letter and resume to:

President, Kristina Sermersheim, c/o Karen Summers, HR Generalist at
jobs@seiu521.org
(408) 954-1538
2302 Zanker Rd., San Jose, CA 95131

Local 521 believes in affirmative action. People of color, women and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.