Local 615

ORGANIZER (BILINGUAL)

Local 615 is the 17,000 member Property Service local for New England representing janitors, custodians, security officers and maintenance workers employed in the commercial office, residential, and higher education sectors. Local 615 is committed to building a strong Union based on membership participation and leadership development.

Local 615 is part of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), a partner in the national Change to Win (CTW) federation. SEIU is the largest and fastest growing union in the United States. Local 615 is also part of the SEIU Property Services Division, which runs the Justice for Janitors and Stand for Security campaigns that have successfully improved the lives of thousands of low wage and immigrant workers throughout the country.

ORGANIZER (bilingual)
JOB DESCRIPTION
Summary:   The job of an Organizer is to assist leadership of Local 615 in building a powerful rank and file union through organizing with workers for better jobs, wages & benefits, and a voice at work. The focus in on organizing campaigns in Greater Boston, including the campaign of service workers at Logan Airport.

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to progressive social change, and will be capable of speaking & writing English and at least one other primary language of campaign work places (including Somali, Arabic, Spanish, Haitian, Portuguese).

Duties and Responsibilities:  The Organizer is responsible for coordinating outreach, communication and mobilization with workers and activists in support of all stages of different types of campaigns. Duties may vary according to the needs of each campaign or the needs of the local as determined by the officers.  Some of the duties for the position are:
• Assist in planning campaign strategies and tactics; plan and execute large-scale mobilizations including demonstrations, pickets and media events;
• Coordinate small and large group meetings of worker activists;
• Conduct outreach including door knocking, work place, and phone;
• Work long, irregular hours including evenings and weekends;
• Plan, carry out and be accountable for a work program as part of a team of organizers and member leaders;
• Participate in public actions including leaflets, pickets, and civil disobedience;
• Keep accurate records and write timely reports;
• Use and update the VAN database and/or other computer tracking systems; and
• Work with field representatives and rank-and-file leaders to design and implement staff and member training.

Requirements:  In addition to the above listed job duties and responsibilities, the following conditions and requirements are essential and are therefore mandatory for anyone occupying the position.
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with others in a diverse environment.
• Patience in pressure situations and savvy with conflict management.
• Willingness to dress appropriately for given job assignments
• Willingness and ability to travel within and outside of the local union’s jurisdiction for the purposes of campaign work, support work for national union priorities or education/training
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to use a computer for word processing, communication and database functions

Scope and Nature of Supervision:
The Organizer must be able to act independently while keeping the Lead Organizer, Organizing Director and campaign team updated on her/his progress. It is expected that the Organizer has the ability to work independently to plan and carry out work plans, set goals and timetables, and take initiative to drive the local union's program goals. The Organizer is expected to execute a work plan with minimal supervision.

Additional Criteria for Evaluation:
Organizers are evaluated on abilities to: work independently; work in a team environment with other staff and members; balance conflicting demands successfully; execute the plan; meet the goals set for the assignment; and to work according to deadlines.

Working Conditions:
The Organizer is required to work long and irregular hours, weekends and holidays as necessary. The work requires flexibility as demands and priorities change for a particular campaign or the overall organization. It is expected that organizers be available during the times that workers in their assigned areas are available at the work site, home and/or other locations.

Compensation: Organizer scale DOE.

Submission Instructions: Please send résumé and cover letter (no phone calls please) to:

Dan Nicolai, Organizing Director
SEIU Local 615
26 West Street, Boston, MA 02111

Email: dnicolai@seiu615.org