SEIU Local 32BJ

Political Director

Based in Miami, FL

 

At the forefront of building the nation’s labor movement, 32BJ SEIU is changing the narrative around important social and economic issues facing working families. Founded in 1934, 32BJ is the largest union of property service workers in the nation. We have a powerful and important mission: to build and grow a diverse, effective, politically independent and democratic organization of workers to change our lives for the better, improve our communities, and build a more just society for present and future generations.

With a commitment to building power for low-wage workers, 32BJ is engaged in winning strong contracts for members, organizing workers, supporting progressive candidates for elected office and moving a broad policy agenda, such as paid sick days, expanding access to health care and the Fight for $15.

The Union has approximately 425 staff in sixteen offices from Boston to Miami. 32BJ SEIU represents over 175,000 property service workers including janitors, security officers, airport workers, and food service employees in 11 states and Washington, DC. 32BJ is an affiliate of SEIU, the Service Employees International Union, which has 2 million members dedicated to raising industry standards and making life better for all working families and communities.

32BJ SEIU’s headquarters are in New York City.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Florida Political Director is responsible for all aspects of the Union’s political programs in the state of Florida, which includes legislative, electoral, county and local service contract procurement, and organizing campaigns as well as member engagement strategies.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Work with the 32BJ Deputy Political Director, the District Director , and the Research and Policy Director to develop and implement union’s political agenda at the state and local level;
• Plan and coordinate campaign field activities, lobby visits, phone banking and events for our public policy and legislative campaigns at the, city, county, state and federal level that support the mission and goals of 32BJ SEIU;
• Plan and supervise electoral program for local, state, and federal elections;
• Mentors, coaches and develops the strategic and critical thinking of all departments in Florida with regard to our political and strategic partners programs;
• Develops and maintains relationships with key strategic partners locally and statewide and supports District Director and other staff to do the same;
• Directs and support staff who mobilize, train, and educate member leaders and activists for legislative and electoral campaign activity;
• Direct and support political coordinators who create and lead political trainings for member leaders;
• Support 32BJ contract and organizing campaigns, as well as campaigns to fight back when the union loses a worksite, including supporting rallies, press events, creating legislative opportunities, and targeted owner activity;
• Coordinate the Union’s political work with labor and community allies;
• Provide political, electoral, legislative and movement building campaign updates and reports to Union Officials, Leaders and rank and file members.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
The ideal candidate will be will be organized, assertive and a self-starter, as well as a strong multi-tasker who is able to pivot easily from issue to issue or from campaign to campaign. This position requires the ability to work with leadership and staff in complex political situations and must have the ability to exercise excellent judgement under pressure.

While no one candidate will possess every quality outlined for this position, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional skills and personal attributes:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in labor, political, or community organizing;
• Ability to design and implement powerful and effective campaign plans;
• Comprehensive knowledge of legislative and procurement processes particularly at the county and state level;
• Experience working on electoral campaigns and managing field programs;
• Excellent communications skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with stakeholders across the union and externally;
• Experience writing and executing a plan of work while holding staff and colleagues accountable.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule including some evenings and weekends. Travel within the states is a must;
• Fluent written and oral Spanish is required.
• A valid driver’s license and suitable automobile and insurance is required and reimbursed with a $200 per week auto allowance.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position is a full time position that occasionally requires hours outside normal business hours, including some nights, weekends and holidays.
• This position is based in 32BJ’s Miami office.
• This position requires travel to worksites, meetings and events.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• This position is largely computer/office based, with many in-person and Zoom meetings.
• This position requires traveling to government centers and offices, worksites and participating in events, marches and demonstrations.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
The salary for this role is $91,395.38 per year. 32BJ offers a generous benefits package that includes an employer-paid medical, dental and vision plan (for full-time employees and their qualified dependents) and retirement benefits, including a defined benefit pension plan and 401K.

APPLICATION:
Please send a résumé and letter of interest to HR@seiu32bj.org. Please use “Political Director, FL” in the subject line of your email. Please Covid vaccine mandate. Bona fide religious and ADA exemptions are permitted with additional safety measures.

32BJ is an inclusive and diverse organization, committed to advocating for social, racial and economic justice. We strongly encourage applications from people who believe in our mission. We strongly encourage women and people of color to apply.

For more information on 32BJ SEIU, visit www.seiu32bj.org.