ISEA
Iowa State Education Association

Statewide Organizer

Based in Des Moines, IA

 

The Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) is seeking applicants for an ISEA Statewide Organizer who will be based out of the ISEA Headquarters office in Des Moines, IA. ISEA is the largest union of teachers and school support professionals working for betterment of public education for every student in Iowa. ISEA is the state affiliate of the National Education Association with more than 3.2 million members. See our website at www.isea.org.

Position and Area Description:
Provide strategic leadership, planning, resources and direct assistance to:

• Strengthen local organizing, including membership growth, leadership identification and rank and file leadership development for the Year-Round Organizing Campaign (YRO)
• Link organizing around the ISEA Educator Bill of Rights with bargaining, membership growth, political outreach, statewide and local organizing issues to connect members to the life of the union
• Advance statewide coordination and power building

Essential Qualifications:

• Minimum of a B.A. or B.S. degree
• Background in education or political campaigning
• Demonstrates skills in developing strategies to foster positive change
• Understanding of public schools or associations advocating for public school
• Ability to develop and implement comprehensive organizing plans that include rank and file leadership development, data analysis, messaging, and benchmarks and assessments
• Experience utilizing data for targeting and developing organizing campaigns
• Facilitation, training and presentation skills including ability to train members and leaders
• Ability to establish and maintain successful working relationships and teams with staff, member organizers and leaders
• Effective writing and communication skills
• Ability to work well under a tight deadline and in a team environment
• Demonstrated ability to pursue projects with energy, passion, and perseverance, especially in the face of resistance or setbacks.
• Experience implementing member recruitment plans (or other similar growth plans) carried out largely by member volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a collaborative team member.
• Grant writing ability
• Experience coordinating activities of member organizers and/or volunteers.
• Current driver’s license, insured vehicle in good driving condition and ability to travel throughout Iowa to engage with assigned locals, members and potential members.

Core Job Functions:

• Work with UniServ Directors and Member Organizers to set up and conduct 10 to 15 one-on-one meetings per week
• Conduct regular building visits for association visibility, potential member recruitment and related efforts
• Help train and support Year-Round Organizing Campaign (YRO) Lead and Member Organizers
• Utilize and carry out the tools of relational organizing: one-on-one meetings, power analysis, collecting and analyzing data, charting/mapping internal relationships and evaluating next action steps
• Organize and carry out member organizer recruitment at targeted locals
• Work with the Political Director to help organize and make political calls/door knocking
• Write and create relevant membership campaign plans and materials with the UniServ Directors, YRO teams and local leaders
• Work cooperatively with UniServ Directors, NEA liaison and Political Director
• Enter and analyze data related to member programs and organizing
• Provide regular reports and participate in regular check-in meetings with the ISEA Associate Executive Direct of Field Services
• Effective public speaker
• Strong personal planning and time management skills
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback
• Self-starter
• Problem analysis and resolution
• Flexibility
• Perform other duties as assigned by the ISEA Associate Executive Direct of Field Services.

Travel:
This is an ISEA headquarters position based in Central Iowa. This position requires approximately 40%-50% travel to local affiliates across Iowa.

Application Procedure:
Please submit a letter of application detailing your experience in the areas of responsibility outlined above, résumé, and the names of three references to suzanne.card@isea.org