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Oregon School Employees Association

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Salem, Oregon

SUMMARY:  The Executive Director of the Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA) functions as the Chief Executive Officer of the organization.  The Executive Director administers and coordinates the activities of the association’s staff according to the policies, goals and objectives established by the membership at Annual Conference and board of directors.  As the association’s general manager, the Executive Director’s major objectives are to provide maximum member services while ensuring continued growth and financial stability.  The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day operational functions of the organization and is responsible for the management of staff.

 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Executive Director duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.  Other duties may be assigned as necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Serve as chief administrative officer, human resources officer and general manager. Responsible for the daily supervision of all association support staff to include interviewing, hiring, training, disciplining and dismissing staff; planning, assigning and directing of work; appraising performance; addressing complaints; resolving problems; administer compensation, benefits and performance management systems; and negotiation of the collective bargaining agreement with the staff union.
• Apprises State President and Board of Directors regarding significant events in a timely manner.
• Responsible for the development, implementation and accomplishment of the goals of the association as approved by the Board of Directors.
• Responsible for providing information, advice, and counsel to the President, Board Committees and Board of Directors in the creation of policies, programs, and strategic direction of the organization.
• Responsible for support of all activities associated with the Board of Directors, including staffing for all Board and Committee meetings, meeting schedules, locations, development of agenda, and meeting materials.
• Responsible for administration of overall operation of the association, including: reviewing and evaluating the results of program activities; allocating resources for greater program effectiveness and efficiency; developing organizational and administrative policies and program objectives for Board consideration.
• Develop and maintain relationships between the association and its affiliates.
• Ensures that the goals and objectives set by the OSEA Board of Directors are implemented in the areas of legislative and political action, collective bargaining, membership services, communications, technology, training and growth through organizing.
• Serve as treasurer and chief financial officer of the association. Responsible for the financial management of the association, including the development and implementation of the annual budget.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  To perform this job successfully, the Executive Director must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the attributes, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for this position.

MANAGERIAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

o    Team building. Development of unified, harmonious working teams in a labor organization.

o    Planning.  Success working with elected leadership and staff in the development and implementation of a systematic set of goals, objectives, structures and timetables for implementation.

o    Budgeting. Knowledge of the budget process, basic accounting procedures and the effective allocation of organizational resources.

o    Public Relations. Knowledge of the major techniques used to advance a positive image of a labor organization to both the members and community. Demonstrated ability to project a strong public image.

o    Governance. The ability to work effectively and constructively with an elected governing board.  An understanding of the established roles of the board, staff and executive management in a democratic labor organization.

o    Office Management. Basic knowledge of office procedures; proficiency with computers and applications.

HUMAN RESOURCE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

o    Demonstrate the highest level of ethical behavior.

o    Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

o    Ability to perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures.

o    Demonstrated ability to resolve conflict and to encourage a consensus where appropriate.

o    Demonstrated ability to administer employee benefits programs and provide recommendations to employer for alternatives as necessary.

o    Experience as a negotiator in collective bargaining.

LABOR RELATIONS SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

o    Organizing.  A record of success in both internal and external organizing.

o    Political Action. Knowledge of the components of an effective political action program for a public sector labor organization.

o    Union Administration. Demonstrated ability to direct and evaluate the effectiveness of a large professional staff in the representation and organization work of the union.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

o    Ability to read, analyze and interpret collective bargaining contracts, professional journals, financial reports and legal documents.
o    Prepare reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
o    Efficiently respond to questions from membership, staff and members of the community.
o    Communicate effectively in both written and oral form.
o    Effectively present information to membership, management and/or board of directors and in legal settings.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  Attainment of a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Relations, Labor Studies, Public Administration or a related field or equivalent is required for the position. Experience in labor relations as well as continuing education in the field may be counted in lieu of academic credentials. Five years of increasingly responsible administrative experience, at least three of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

Contact

John O'Keefe
O'Keefe Search
919-303-5903
johnpokeefe@hotmail.com

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John O'Keefe has specialized in recruiting for positions in the labor movement for over ten years. Prior to spending five years as Recruiting Director for 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest and one of the most progressive local labor unions in the United States, he spent 20 years helping high tech companies grow and was acknowledged as one of the top recruiters in the United States. Besides running a highly successful search firm, he served as the President of the Texas Association of Personnel Consultants, the largest state association in the industry and as President of the Pinnacle Society, an organization of the top 75 recruiters in the United States.