Union Field Coordinator

AREA COORDINATOR

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.

Area Coordinator reports to their Regional Director and has all the responsibility of a regional director for their assigned area. The primary role of the Area Coordinator is to deliver outcomes that advance the strategic objectives of the region in alignment with the mission and vision of SEIU Local 521. The Area Coordinator will work with the staff and leaders of a local union that currently represents approximately 50,000 public service workers in the area. He or she will supervise union staff members in the area.

The Area Coordinator will model leadership that reflects SEIU 521’s vision, mission, and culture. The Area Coordinator will take responsibility for tracking the performance of the internal organizers in the assigned area and ensure the team’s goals align with the organizational goals. The Area Coordinator will oversee the union’s program on contract negotiations and campaigns, internal organizing, leadership recruitment and development, representation in collaboration with the Member Resource Center, and political mobilization. The Area Coordinator will serve on the staff leadership team of the new regional local and work as a team to oversee the implementation of the union’s vision and program.

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

• Supervising, training, hiring, and developing internal organizers of the region.
• Effectively manage a team by implementing expectations, support, and accountability measures for all team members in the assigned area.
• Develop and implement tools to track internal organizers’ performance and development and provide regular reports to the Regional Director on key metrics.
• Conducting staff meetings, team meetings and individual meetings with staff to review and plan their work.
• Regularly analyze and evaluate team performance and identify best practices and where to make adjustments to improve individual and team performance. 
• Working with senior and lead organizers in partnership with the regional director to develop their leadership skills and proactively plan for adjustments when team members are not reaching their goals.
• Working with the rank-and-file leadership and staff to create and implement plans to strengthen the union.
• Leading and assisting in developing campaign plans around budget issues, contract negotiations and worksite problems.
• Serving as the Chief Spokesperson in larger chapter negotiations and assisting staff in contract negotiations in the smaller chapters.
• Ensuring staff and member participation in the union’s organizing and political programs.
• Representing the union in the region in its relationships with political, community and labor leaders and organizations.
• Serving on the staff leadership team of the local and coordinating with other senior staff to run the programs of the organization under the leadership of the rank-and-file executive board.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least five years as a union staff person responsible for representation and program implementation.
• Experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements and developing and executing contract campaigns.
• Experience motivating, supervising, evaluating, and developing staff and holding them accountable to a plan.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of rank-and-file leaders and involve them in every aspect of the union’s program.
• Strong planning skills, ability to discern priorities and juggle multiple responsibilities.
• Proven leadership and consensus building skills.
• Willingness to work long and irregular hours, including weekends and evenings.
• Reliable Automobile, good driving record and required car insurance

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 . 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.

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