AFSCME Council 57

Organizer

Based in California

 

AFSCME District Council 57 is currently interviewing for an Organizer position. Our Council covers over 35,000 members in 27 local unions throughout California in the northern, central region and state civil service. 

Position Summary:
Organizers are the vanguard of justice for working families and are responsible for planning and conducting external organizing campaigns through organizing workplace committees, doing site and home-visits, performing worker assessments, educating and training leadership, and developing long-term sustainable structures for their union, using the AFSCME model.

Beyond external campaigns, Organizers work alongside Union Representatives and member leaders to create internal organizing plans and campaigns, identify issues, identify workplace leaders, and recruit Volunteer Member Organizers (VMO's). Organizers work externally as part of an organizing team to identify organizing targets, develop organizing campaign plans, and grow our Union.

Examples of Job Duties:
The following examples provide a general summary of the work required and should not be treated as a total and complete list of expected duties to be performed by employees in the classification. The duties and responsibilities required of this position include, but are not limited to, those listed below:

• Identify, recruit, train, develop and inspire leaders through one-on-one and group communication.
• Develop volunteer member organizers (VMO's).
• Visit worksites and communicate with workers to encourage them to get more involved in their union and sign their membership cards.
• Visit workers in their homes.
• Help organize and run actions such as pickets, rallies, and marches.
• Lead and train leaders on running weekly organizing committee meetings, following the AFSCME model.
• Work independently to create and carry out organizing plans based on the circumstances of the assignment and using the AFSCME model.
• Work with administrative staff to create leaflets and other materials for organizing campaigns.
• Obtain and create employee charts, lists, and worksite maps.
• Inform Organizing Director of activities, developments, and progress of organizing activity, attend weekly meetings and daily debriefs.
• Organize community coalitions to advance our movement.
• Work with existing leadership of various Locals to further the organizing goals of the Council.
• Work with Union Representatives on various internal campaigns.
• Use knowledge of basic labor law, particularly as it pertains to organizing.
• Meet goals and deadlines.
• Accept and apply feedback and constructive criticism from supervisor.
• Perform administrative tasks necessary for organizing (such as maintaining lists, producing materials, expense reports, weekly and daily activity reports, and correspondence).
• Promptly return all work-related phone calls, text messages, group chat messages, and other forms of correspondence.
• Other related duties as required.

Requirements:

• Experience as an organizer in union or social justice movement setting.
• Exemplary political and interpersonal relationship abilities.
• Ability and desire to learn and grow as an Organizer.
• Ability and desire to participate in all Council-wide activities.
• Extensive travel, long hours, and weekend work as needed.
• Commitment to social change and to carrying out the vision and program of the Council.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a team setting.
• Commitment to organizational discipline.
• Ability to work with a diverse, multi-cultural membership from all walks of life.
• Ability to speak another language, especially Spanish, is a plus.
• Research and analytical skills necessary to assess and plan campaigns.
• Ability to deal with conflicting and changing priorities.
• Experienced in the use of most widely used computer programs, familiarity with desktop publishing and social media.
• Valid California driver's license.

Salary and Benefits:
Salary is commensurate with experience. Very generous benefits and inclusion in the AFSCME International pension program.

To Apply:
Interested applicants should send a cover letter including a résumé and three references to organize@ca.afscme57.org. All emails should include AFSCME Council 57 Organizer Posting in the subject line. No phone calls please.