Political Organizer – Representative, SEIU 221

Description

RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT: ORGANIZER-REPRESENTATIVE FOR POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Purpose: The role of the Organizer-Representative for Political and Government Relations is to support the union’s member-driven political program, move progressive pro-labor local and state policy, and engage in coalition work to improve the lives of working families.

In the 2020 elections, SEIU 221 played a leading role in electing a pro-worker majority on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for the first time in over a generation. This Organizer-Representative assigned to Political and Government Relations will play a leading role in working with SEIU members, labor and coalition partners, and elected officials to ensure that this majority is maintained and strengthened. Turning electoral success into real wins that improve the lives of working families is a core responsibility of this role.

The key areas of work will be:

• Strengthen and maintain the union’s member-driven political program: this includes participation in Member Political Organizer Meetings, maximizing participation in the COPE (member PAC) program and member-to-member volunteer programs during election season.
• Support the union’s local and state legislative program: this includes working with SEIU staff, members and community stakeholders and elected officials to identify and develop pro-worker legislation and use the tools of organizing, advocacy and policy and communication strategies to move a successful legislative agenda.
• Coalition building: the unions partner with several community and labor organizations as part of the legislative and political program. This requires productive collaboration with partners and representing SEIU member’s perspective and interests.

Responsibilities of Political and Government Relations Assignment: The Organizer-Representative performs a wide range of duties, which may vary according to the needs of the overall program or a specific campaign. Examples of those duties and responsibilities when assigned to Political and Government Relations are listed below:

• Support electoral activities, including direct mail, phone banks, GOTV, precinct organization, vote-by-mail, etc.
• Conduct political education trainings for staff, member, and allies.
• Implement internal and external voter registration and signature drives and efforts.
• Assist in coordinating the Local’s political activities with the SEIU State Council, other unions, the Central Labor Council, coalitions, and other allies.
• Assist in the Local’s member-driven candidate and ballot initiative endorsement process.
• Build and support community/labor coalitions to support the Local’s political agenda.
• Support cross-organizational data management to strengthen digital communications (including email, text-messaging and social media).
• Develop, plan, and coordinate a successful membership and/or COPE campaign.
• Carry out fundraising strategies to support candidate campaigns.
• Coordinate the activities of member-organizers.
• Develop, plan, and coordinate political and community campaigns, including canvassing, phone-banking, and other forms of voter education.
• Use strategies and tactics that promote class-consciousness and advance struggles against racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination.

Assignments: This position is within the Organizer-Representative classification, which includes staff with political, internal, and external organizing assignments. All staff may be assigned other duties not included in this recruitment announcement as required by the organization. Assignments are made by President or designee and are subject to change based on the needs of the Local.

Skills and Abilities Beneficial for Assignment: The Organizer-Representative assigned to Political and Government Relations will be expected to be proficient in the following skills and abilities:

• Experience in executing electoral activities, including phone banks, GOTV, precinct organization, vote-by-mail, signature gathering, direct mail, social media, etc.
• Productive experience in coalition building with successful collaboration, conflict management and multi-organizational campaign work.
• Experience in legislative advocacy including, organizing, lobbying and earned media.
• Ability to lead, motivate and inspire members to develop into leaders and participate in key union programs (i.e. politics, organizing, coalition building, and legislative advocacy.)
• Proficiency in utilizing digital tools such as mass email, text and social media programs and coordinating data and messaging across diverse platforms.
• Demonstrated understanding of organizing and how it can be used to empower members and ensure superior outcomes in workers’ lives.
• Sound interpersonal and communication skills appropriate to providing a quality member experience including the ability to establish and cultivate respectful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Sound organizational skills to manage and prioritize work subject to deadlines in a dynamic and changing environment, as an individual and as a member of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to formulate and deliver on short-term and long-term member development and capacity building goals.
• Ability to develop, implement and monitor long-range plans.

Working Conditions: The Organizer-Representative will be required to work long and irregular hours, and to work on weekends and holidays when necessary.

Compensation: SEIU Local 221 offers a competitive salary based on staff union contract provisions. Benefits include a car allowance, health care, dental, prescription, vision, and retirement plans, and vacation/time off policy.

About SEIU Local 221: Service Employees International Union, Local 221 (SEIU Local 221) is a progressive union representing over 13,000 San Diego and Imperial County area employees, including County, cities, courts, schools, Red Cross, and Head Start workers. With an active membership, we plan to organize thousands more workers to continue to be the leading political and community voice for working families in San Diego. This voice comes directly from our members. We believe that the needs and issues of working people are integral to any true social change.

Submission Instructions:

Submit cover letter and résumé via email, mail or fax to:

ATTN: Christa Fink SEIU Local 221 4004 Kearny Mesa Rd San Diego, CA 92111

Fax: (858) 560-1299 Email: [email protected]

Local 221 is an affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, or disability.