SEIU Local 503
In It Together

External Union Organizer

Based in Portland, OR

 

SEIU 503 is an organization of more than 72,000 Oregonians who, by joining together, are achieving what we cannot accomplish alone. By standing together, we have a voice in our contracts and our daily work lives. SEIU 503 members do more than 500 different jobs on the state, local government, and non-profit level. The services we provide include helping blind people get access to education, assisting nursing home patients, testing new drivers, collecting tax revenue, providing childcare, helping veterans, assisting at-risk youth, staffing our state universities, repairing bridges, maintaining Oregon’s parks, and caring for seniors and people with disabilities.

The work we do touches the lives of every single Oregonian. We are proud to stand together for the quality services we provide for our communities and families.

Be part of SEIU Local 503, a strong and growing union that is on the front lines to fight for quality public services and a more just society for all workers. 

General Description:
The principal role of a field organizer is to support and facilitate worker leadership and action. This position has program responsibility for organizing, communications, political action, rank-and-file leadership development and interaction with the membership to further established union policy.

An External Organizer plays a vital role in expanding union membership and strengthening labor movements by engaging directly with non-unionized workers and communities. This is done by meeting workers near their workplace and helping them develop ways to make changes to improve working conditions, wages, and benefits.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Develop leaders through relational organizing and 1-1 conversations.
• Recruitment and development of organizing committees in not-yet-union worksites.
• Issue organizing in context of external campaign development and motivation of organizing committees.
• Developing and implementing creative organizing strategies.
• Conduct worker home visits and facility parking lot visits.
• Setting up communication systems for distribution of information.
• Preparing printed materials for use in organizing and community campaigns.
• Political action in the context of the organizing campaign.
• Creation and maintenance of organizing charts and mapping worksites.
• External organizing training, leadership training and development, political action training, special workshops, and coordination of campaign work by other staff and leaders
• Work collaboratively with co-workers to strategically navigate campaigns, providing ideas and feedback.
• Traveling across Oregon State to meet workers
• Work irregular hours depending on campaign

Qualifications:

• Experience or background which demonstrates capabilities in organizing, bargaining, contract administration, political action, leadership identification and development, and motivating people to take action.
• A demonstrated commitment to empowering workers through the labor movement.
• Experience working for social justice as an organizer or activist.
• Ability and stamina to work irregular and long hours and to attend weekend and evening activities.
• Excellent communications skills required.
• Valid driver's license and current insurance coverage.

Working Environment:

☐ Group 1 - Requires performing instant or sustained arduous physical activity.
☒ Group 2 - Requires occasional lifting and exertion for short periods.
☐ Group 3 - Very Limited Physical Exertion.

Office and field work involving travel to all areas of the state - sometimes with overnight stays - in a variety of environmental conditions. The workweek is Monday through Friday plus weekend work when specifically assigned. The workday may begin before and extend beyond normal office hours depending on the demands of the assignment.

Technology and Equipment:

• Operation of a personal motor vehicle (insured)
• Tools
• Telephone
• Copier
• Camera and/or Video camera and system
• Computer Software: (Word, Excel, Salesforce, Hustle, Van, etc.)

Pay and Benefits: 
Organizing positions provide comprehensive fully paid health, dental and vision benefits for employee and eligible dependents, domestic partner benefits, generous holiday and vacation policies, a monthly car and cell phone allowance, and a 15% employer-paid defined contribution 401K. Compensation range is based on experience $70,812 – $102,924 (plus 6% bilingual differential) annually.

To Apply:
Send cover letter and résumé to Arturo Rodriguez Flores, Recruitment Strategist, rodriguezfloresa@seiu503.org.