Palomar Faculty Federation, AFT Local 6161

Director of Membership, Communications, and Operations

Based in San Marcos, CA

 

Title: Director of Membership, Communications, and Operations

Position Summary
The Director of Membership, Communications, and Operations serves as the union's senior staff professional and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organization under the direction of the Executive Leadership (AFT 6161’s elected officers). The Director provides leadership and support for membership engagement and organizing, communications, operations and administration, and collective bargaining support. The Director works collaboratively with the Executive Leadership, Executive Board, Negotiations Team, Grievance Officers, and other union leaders and staff to advance the mission and priorities of the union and to ensure effective service and representation for the membership. This position requires a regular in-person presence on campus during the academic year, with some opportunities for remote work as approved by Executive Leadership and consistent with operational needs.

DUTIES:
Membership Engagement and Organizing
Membership Recruitment and Retention

• Coordinate new faculty outreach and orientation programs.
• Develop and maintain welcoming materials and onboarding communications for new faculty.
• Maintain regular contact with prospective and current members. 
• Track membership trends and participation levels. 
• Develop strategies to increase membership engagement and retention. 
• Conduct membership recruitment campaigns, including membership drives, tabling activities, and member outreach initiatives.
• Support member education efforts and promote important membership initiatives and programs. 

Member Support

• Serve as a primary point of contact for routine member inquiries. 
• Facilitate referrals to appropriate Executive Leadership, Negotiations Team Members, Grievance Officers, Committee Chairs, or other staff as needed. 
• Create and maintain member resource materials and informational guides.

 Membership Database Administration

• Maintain and reconcile membership databases, records, applications, and contact information, and coordinate with District personnel and other entities to ensure accurate records.
• Generate membership reports for Executive Leadership and the Executive Board.
• Protect confidentiality of member records. 

Internal and External Organizing

• Support internal and external organizing, coalition-building, outreach, and relationship-building efforts with community organizations, labor allies, affiliated organizations, neighboring unions, campus groups, and other stakeholders, as directed by Executive Leadership.
• Support outreach and relationship-building efforts to maintain a visible and engaged union presence throughout the college community.
• Coordinate with statewide affiliates, labor organizations, professional associations, and other external partners to support union priorities and activities, and attend conferences, meetings, and labor events, as appropriate and consistent with union priorities.
• Participate in required CFT trainings, meetings, and other activities.

Political Action Support

• Provide administrative, communications, and logistical support to the Committee on Political Education (COPE) and the COPE Chair, including assistance with the coordination and implementation of COPE initiatives and activities, as needed and directed. 

Communications
Internal Communications

• Prepare and distribute newsletters, email updates, text communications, and other member communications regarding relevant union issues and activities.
• Draft communications for review by Executive Leadership. 
• Coordinate bargaining and election communications as directed by Executive Leadership. 
• Maintain communication calendars and distribution lists. 
• Coordinate with Executive Board committees to ensure timely dissemination of information and effective communication among union leaders and members. 
• Support communication and information sharing among union representatives serving on District committees and other bodies. 
• Assist the PFF Co-Presidents in maintaining relationships and coordinating regular meetings with members of the Board of Trustees, including providing administrative, communications, and logistical support, as directed.

Website and Digital Content

• Manage website content and ensure information remains current, accurate, and accessible.
• Post news, announcements, events, and resources.

Communications Coordination

• Coordinate with external communications and social media consultants, as applicable. 
• Develop content and messaging for use across various communication platforms. 
• Ensure consistency and accuracy of union messaging. 
• Monitor communication effectiveness and recommend improvements.
• Support operations and communications at off-site locations and centers, as needed.

Operations and Administration
Office Management

• Coordinate office operations and administrative functions. 
• Manage office supplies, equipment, and vendor relationships. 
• Maintain a regular in-person presence at the PFF office during the academic year, with opportunities for remote work and schedule flexibility as approved by Executive Leadership and consistent with operational needs.

Meeting Support

• Attend Executive Board meetings and prepare agendas, meeting materials, and meeting minutes, as directed by Executive Leadership.
• Manage meeting logistics, scheduling, calendars, timelines, and action items to support the work of Executive Leadership, committees, and other union activities.
• Attend regular meetings with Executive Leadership and committees, as directed, to support coordination and remain informed regarding union priorities and activities.

Event Coordination

• Coordinate logistical arrangements, reservations, supplies, materials, registrations, facilities, catering, and communications to support trainings, workshops, conferences, membership meetings, and special events. 
• Support Executive Leadership, staff, and committee activities.

Governance Support

• Assist with union elections and governance processes. 
• Maintain accessible policy manuals, constitution/bylaws, collective bargaining agreements, and other governance documents.
• Collaborate with Executive Leadership in the development and implementation of organizational policies and procedures, and assist Executive Leadership in maintaining compliance with applicable AFT and CFT policies and relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with the Treasurer to support compliance with applicable CFT and AFT financial requirements, including the preparation and submission of required reports, per capita payments, formula funding applications, grant applications, annual operating budget, and other related deliverables.
• Support the work of committees and other union groups by providing administrative, communications, logistical, and other assistance, as needed and directed.

Organizational Continuity

• Develop and maintain administrative procedures. 
• Maintain institutional records and historical files. 
• Preserve bargaining history, organizational practices, and historical knowledge to support future leaders and initiatives. 
• Ensure continuity during leadership transitions. 
• Assist in onboarding newly elected Executive Leadership.

Other

• Perform other related duties and responsibilities, consistent with the position, as assigned by the Executive Leadership.

Collective Bargaining Support
Support Collective Bargaining Activities

• Assist the Negotiations Team by providing research, communications, administrative, and logistical support related to collective bargaining activities.
• Support the implementation of bargaining campaigns, surveys, and member engagement efforts.
• Maintain bargaining records, proposals, supporting documentation, and historical information to ensure continuity and preserve institutional knowledge.
• Attend collective bargaining sessions and prepare meeting notes and records, as directed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• At least three (3) years of experience working directly for or with labor unions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Professional work experience in a California Community College.
• Demonstrate effective analytical, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Sensitivity to and understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disabled, and ethnic backgrounds of community college employees and students.
• Experience in the grievance, collective bargaining, and negotiations processes.
• Possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited institution.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:
The salary range for this position is $90,000 to $120,000 per year, and salary is commensurate with experience and education. Benefits are fully paid by the AFT 6161 and include: medical, dental, vision, and a monthly contribution to a retirement account. The position includes vacation, sick leave and holiday time off.

AFT 6161 does not discriminate in providing employment opportunities to any person on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

HOW TO APPLY:
To be considered as an applicant, please submit the following by August 4th, 2026:

• A current résumé reflecting qualifications for this position
• A Letter of Application (max of two pages) which addresses how your experience and education have prepared you to assume the duties and responsibilities of this position within a faculty Union

All materials must be sent electronically to the following:

The Officers of AFT 6161
palomarfacfed@gmail.com

TIMELINE:
This position closes on August 4th, 2026.

It is AFT 6161’s intent to interview candidates in-person in San Marcos, California on August 13th and 14th, 2026.
It is AFT 6161’s intent to have this role filled with a start date of September 1st, 2026 or as soon thereafter as possible.