Organizer

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, and experienced organizer or educator who would like to become an organizer to join its team!

The Chicago Teachers Union is a transformative labor union of nearly 30,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, clinicians, and staff in the Chicago Public Schools and charter schools. We are a global leader in the fight for educational justice, racial equity, economic justice, workers’ power and the right of all students, all people, and all communities to thrive.

Organizers at the Chicago Teacher’s Union play a critical role in building the strength, unity, and power of educators through organizing campaigns, member engagement, and leadership development. The ideal candidate is passionate about public education, labor rights, and social justice, and possesses strong interpersonal and strategic skills to mobilize educators to take collective action for better working and learning conditions.

Primary Responsibilities

Organizing & Member Engagement

• Identify, recruit, and develop union members and workplace leaders.
• Organize around workplace issues such as wages, class size, health and safety, evaluations, and contract enforcement.
• Conduct one-on-one meetings, site visits, and house calls to build relationships and motivate participation.
• Lead issue-based campaigns that mobilize membership and advance union priorities.

Leadership Development

• Facilitate trainings, workshops, and mentoring for new and existing union activists.
• Support rank-and-file members in taking on organizing and leadership roles.

Campaigns & Advocacy

• Help develop and implement strategic campaigns, including contract negotiations, organizing drives, and political initiatives.
• Build coalitions with parents, students, and community groups to advocate for strong public education policies.

Communications

• Create campaign materials and communicate union goals through newsletters, social media, and other channels.
• Maintain accurate member data, reports, and documentation using databases or organizing software.

Internal Union Work

• Assist in planning and executing union meetings, events, and actions.
• Represent the union at conferences, school board meetings, and in community forums.

Essential Qualifications

• 2 years experience campaigns, organizing, teaching/education, youth development, labor movement, social justice, program coordination, etc..
• Experience in community or labor organizing, political campaigns, or union work.
• Some familiarity with Chicago’s education and political landscape.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including active listening.
• Ability to build trust, resolve conflict, and motivate people to act.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects.
• Willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.

Desired Qualifications

• Bilingual
• Knowledge of public education issues and the challenges faced by teachers.
• Familiarity with collective bargaining, labor law, and union structures.

If you do not meet all of the required qualifications, but believe this role is right for you, please apply, but be sure to uplift all experience that align with both essential and desired qualifications.

Location & Hours of Operations

CTU’s hours of operation are Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm cst, plus weekends and evenings as the work dictates.

Role requires school and partner visits. Primary work location is CTU Headquarters.

CTU offers a competitive compensation package including employer subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurances, employer contributed 401(k), vacation time, short term disability, health savings plan/dependent care flexible spending account, car and phone allowance.

This position is part of a union bargaining unit and covered by applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Bilingual preferred, but not required.