Ohio AFL-CIO

Southwest Ohio Field Representative

Based in Southwest Ohio
(candidates must live in or relocate to the Cincinnati/Dayton region)

 

The Ohio AFL-CIO a Federation of Labor Unions in Ohio, with state and local affiliates from over 50 International Unions, representing over half a million active and retired union members. The Ohio AFL-CIO strives to ensure all working people are treated fairly, with decent paychecks and benefits, safe jobs, dignity, and equal opportunities by making sure everyone who works for a living has family-supporting wages and benefits and the ability to retire with dignity.

Job description:
The Field Representative is responsible for the year-round implementation of State Federation programs and activities and will carry out the critical aspects of the field mobilization/member communication program within a defined region of Ohio. Working at the direction of the Ohio AFL-CIO President and assigned staff, Field Reps will work directly with union affiliates, local Central Labor Councils (CLCs), community partners and other allies to execute key components of all Ohio AFL-CIO field activities and programs and will help build local labor federation structures for successful and sustainable mobilization that strengthens the State Federation and CLC programs in communications, governance, politics, legislation, community engagement and organizing.

The Field Representative’s primary objectives include, but are not limited to:

• Advancing the state federation’s legislative program priorities
• Advancing the state federation’s political program priorities
• Building participation in Central Labor Council (CLC) and Area Labor Federation (ALF) priority activities
• Building support for affiliate organizing
• Coalition & relationship building in the community
• Developing and enhancing union and worker mobilization
• Communicating the State Federation’s agenda/priorities
• Educating and Mobilizing affiliate unions and their members on key issues/campaigns

Description of Duties:

• The Field Representative represents the interests of the Ohio AFL-CIO, its officers and staff at all times with central labor councils, AFL-CIO affiliates, AFL-CIO constituency groups, and allied organizations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with central labor councils, AFL-CIO affiliates, AFL-CIO constituency groups, and allied organizations.
• Work with local labor councils, affiliate unions, and community groups to obtain support and implement overall state campaign plans and a pro-worker agenda in the designated area.
• Work with unions and community allies, to increase participation in labor-to-labor and public walks, phone banks, rallies, marches, meetings, and other events.
• Build and grow a volunteer base & communication network and develop new mobilization structures and enhance existing ones to expand labor’s ability to create larger, more creative, and more strategic member turnout for legislative, political, organizing, and solidarity actions
• Train, organize, and motivate union leaders and activists to help build self-sustaining organizations and committees and to engage in workplace education and activation of union members in support of endorsed candidates and issue campaigns.
• Assist in developing the Ohio AFL-CIO political program by expanding labor’s political power on electoral campaigns, legislative campaigns, and organizing campaigns by working directly with Central Labor Councils and affiliates to implement these plans.
• Manages and regularly update database(s)/reporting tools for outreach to unions, community allies, individual volunteers, and works to expand these networks.
• Coordinate meetings and events, including but not limited to labor-to-labor walks/lit drops, rallies, pickets, phone banks, marches, legislative actions, trainings, etc. The representative must build turnout, assist in agenda preparation, and make sure numerous logistical details are attended to.
• Prepare and submit weekly activity reports to the State Federation president or his/her designee.
• Regularly attend CLC, ALF, local union, AFL-CIO constituency groups, AFL-CIO community services and community action groups’ meetings.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in implementing and driving field political/issue education and mobilization programs.
• Knowledge of and experience with both state and local structures of unions/the labor movement.
• Ability to manage political/issue campaigns at a regional level.
• Ability to work independently within the context of a plan.
• Ability to lead and motivate others within charged political environments.
• Excellent listening, interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective time management skills, including prioritizing and managing multiple tasks, and demonstrated experience in developing personal work plans and goals.
• Demonstrated ability to build teams and work effectively in a team environment in both a lead and a support role.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in politically sensitive and high-pressure environments.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts while maintaining important and effective relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to train others.
• Demonstrated ability to build and strengthen relationships.
• Ability to navigate complex organizational structures.
• Computer proficiency is required; LAN/VAN experience preferred, database/spreadsheet, email, Internet, word processing, social networking skills.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel on a regular basis as needed throughout Ohio.
• Ability to work long hours and weekends as required.

Competitive salary and excellent benefits commensurate with the contract between Ohio AFL-CIO and OPEIU Local 98.

Location:
This position is based in Southwest Ohio. Candidates must live in or plan to relocate to the Cincinnati/Dayton region.

To Apply:
Submit résumé and cover letter to: jvernon@ohaflcio.org, with subject line “Southwest Ohio Field Representative”