Community Political Organizer

SEIU Local 521

Community Political Organizer

Based in Bakersfield, CA

SEIU Local 521 was founded in 2007 when 5 local unions came together in the Bay Area, Central Coast and Central Valley to form one larger, more powerful union. Together our members are building a true 21st century union fighting to empower and improve the lives of our members. We represent over 50,000 public service workers in cities, counties, courts, schools, private non-profits, special districts, and public health care.

AT SEIU LOCAL 521: Our mission is to provide our members with a voice in the workplace, in their union and in the larger community. Through our actions, we intend to create a more just and humane society. We are committed to protecting and improving the lives of workers and their families. We will work to improve and protect the services we provide to our communities. We believe that by working together as a united front, we can win better contracts and build industry power in our region.

Community Political Organizer works under direction of the Political Director, works in community coalitions, and builds support among community groups and leaders for Local’s strategic campaigns and objectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES: All duties listed are required and not limited to but may or may not be continuously performed or ongoing at any specific time.

• Identify potential allies among labor, religious, ethnic, immigrant, advocacy, patient/client, disability, environmental, senior, neighborhood and other appropriate community organizations and leaders.
• Develop relationships with potential allies, educate them on SEIU Local 521 campaigns and objectives and organize them to support those campaigns and objectives.
• Coordinate SEIU Local 521’s participation in activities in support of community allies.
• Maintain database and other records on community organizations and leaders in the area.
• Plan, in conjunction with organizing/worksite organizing/research/communications staff, the community component to strategic campaigns being carried out by the Local. Carry out community component of plan.
• Organize community forums, petitions and press conferences in support of strategic campaigns.
• Attend meetings of allied community organizations when appropriate to maintain effective relationships and build support for union campaigns.
• Track the membership and activity of Local 521 members in community organizations that may be potential allies.
• Develop, recruit and train Local 521 members to effectively represent the union in community organizations.
• Turnout community organizations to union events.
• Create organizations, when appropriate, of key constituents needed for strategic leverage (i.e. hospital patient organization, local resident organization, etc.)
• Participate in Local programs including political campaigns, organizing blitzes and other Local-wide efforts. May participate in Local-wide committee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two years of full-time paid experience in community organizing.
• High level ability to communicate orally and in writing;
• Ability to establish, maintain rapport and work in mutually beneficial coalitions with widely varied ethnic, social and philosophical groups;
• Ability to work under pressure and with minimal supervision;
• Ability to plan strategically, follow a plan and be accountable to a team in carrying out a plan
• Dedication to building power for workers and a willingness to participate in a wide field of activities towards that objective;
• Freedom and willingness to work irregular and long hours and attend required evening and weekend meetings.
• Bilingual (Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Chinese) a plus.
• Established relationships with community organizations in Local 521 areas preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Must possess a valid California driver’s license; must pass a DMV check and have a good driving record; must have auto insurance that covers business driving (minimum of $100,000 per person/$300,000 per incident bodily injury liability/$100,000 property coverage); and must possess an automobile for business use.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Salary commensurate with experience ($84,125.91-$107,398.53). SEIU Local 521 employees enjoy top notch benefits including fully employer-paid family health, dental and vision insurance; a generous leave package; fully employer-paid defined benefit pension plan; 401(K); flexible savings accounts for annual health and childcare expenses; $200,000 life insurance plan; and other benefits outlined in the policies of SEIU 521.

APPLY:

This position is open until filled; however, the posting/acceptance of applications may close at any time.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
Local 521 is an affirmative action employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. Local 521 works to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforces policies against discrimination and sexual harassment.

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