Council 31

Director of Research

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

AFSCME Council 31 is currently seeking candidates for the position of Director of Research.  AFSCME Council 31 is a statewide labor organization representing more than 70,000 public service workers in a wide variety of fields—including health care, public works, criminal justice, education and human services.  Council 31 has a strong tradition of progressive, democratic trade unionism and plays an active role in the political, legislative and policy arenas.

The Director of Research provides assistance and guidance on matters related to economic issues and employee benefits in contract negotiations  for the more than 100 collective bargaining agreements to which Council 31 is a party, as well as playing a key role in various collaborative labor-management initiatives related to employee benefits.  This individual also provides policy and economic analysis and represents the union before legislative committees and on governmental task forces on matters pertaining to fiscal policy, health care, and retirement security.

Key Responsibilities:
• Provide assistance in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements
• Provide support to labor-management collaborations established to oversee employee benefit programs
• Work as part of the union’s policy team to develop and advance positions on key issues, particularly retirement security, fiscal policy and health care.
• Analyze governmental budgets
• Prepare and present testimony before legislative committees
• Represent the union on legislative task forces, work groups, or commissions
• Serve as liaison to the public pension funds in which union members participate.
• Represent the union in the media and in public forums on matters pertaining to employee benefits and fiscal policy.

Key Requirements:
• Knowledge of employee group health insurance plans
• Familiarity with government budgeting processes
• Ability to conduct fiscal analysis
• Experience in negotiating collective bargaining agreements
• Knowledge of public sector pension plans
• Ability to work independently, as well as to collaborate as part of a team
• Ability to make clear and effective public presentations
• Ability to speak and write clearly and cogently
• Ability to effectively advance union members’ interests on task forces and other bodies that include a wide variety of viewpoints
• Masters’ Degree in economics, fiscal policy or related field or commensurate experience.

Competitive salary structure.  Excellent benefit package.

Send resume and cover letter to:

AFSCME Council 31, 205 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, Attn: Minnie Perez or email to mperez@afscme31.org.