SEIU Local 500
 

Member Strength Organizer
(MSO)

Based in Gaithersburg, MD

 

SEIU, Local 500 is a progressive labor union, organizing and representing over 20,000 workers in the public service in Maryland and Washington, DC. We are a proud affiliate of Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the fastest-growing union in North America.

Purpose of Position:
The Member Strength Organizer (MSO) will work under the Direction of the Director of Organizing and Campaigns. The MSO performs a wide range of duties including to identify and train leaders and to organize members of SEIU Local 500 to support our political and worksite goals through executing organizing strategies and tactics that contribute to building a successful and effective organizing program and/or engage and grow the membership.

This is a bargaining unit position.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Performs a wide range of duties as assigned by the Director of Representation and/or assigned Lead(s). The descriptions below provide a general summary of the work required and should not be treated as a total and complete list of expected duties to be performed by employees in the classification.

1. Building one on one relationships with workers.
2. Responsible for Membership and Committee on Political Education (COPE) recruitment.
3. Identify, recruit, mobilize and develop worksite leaders to support and move the union’s agenda.
4. Conduct individual/group meetings with members to discuss and plan to further the goals of the union.
5. Establish effective organizing committees.
6. Motivate individual workers and groups of workers to take action.
7. Engage workers in broader union efforts to bring pressure to bear on their direct employers as well as the broader industry.
8. Coordinate with workers to gather information that is useful in identifying opportunities for membership growth and mobilization.
9. Conduct work site and home visits.
10. Develop an understanding of contractual rights and labor rights to support workers. Also maintains an understanding of the industries where SEIU Local 500 members work.
11. Communicate political and contractual information in understandable language.
12. Develop union campaign literature.
13. Working to involve community allies in organizing campaigns.
14. Input and upkeep of campaign data collected in the appropriate database.
15. Perform other duties as required to assist SEIU Local 500.
16. Must be available for long and irregular hours, including some nights and weekends.
17. Must possess a valid U.S. Driver’s license, auto insurance, and an automobile for business use.

Scope and Nature of Supervision

• Must be able to act and organize time with extreme independence.
• A high level of judgment, ability to take initiative and work with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to handle multiple “priority” projects simultaneously and meet established deadlines.
• The ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and in diverse jobs.
• Must be able to demonstrate and maintain effective interpersonal working relationships with members, employers, staff, management, community partners and/or consultants.
• Must be flexible, able to think on their feet, and willing to pivot to other organizing efforts as assigned.
• Reports to the SEIU Local 500 Director of Representation and/or assigned Lead(s).

Educational Background

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

Previous Work Experience

• One year of work in labor union or community organizing.
• Previous experience with the labor movement or other advocacy organizations preferred.

Specialized Knowledge and Training

• Excellent writing, verbal, and analytical communication skills.
• Possession of excellent listening skills and the ability to comprehend the concerns of others.
• Strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and great interpersonal skills are a must.
• The ability to make and follow through on a work plan.
• Basic familiarity with database entry. Skill in the use of Microsoft Office programs and Google.
• The ability to speak Spanish is strongly preferred.

This is a WBNG bargaining unit position. SEIU Local 500 offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits, including 100% employer-paid health benefits (95% of the cost difference for dependents), 100% employer-paid pension, a generous paid leave policy, and the experience of a lifetime.

Probationary Period: Six Months

To Apply
Please email your résumé and cover letter to: HumanResources@seiu500.org.

Please, no calls

Local 500 encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. Local 500 works to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforces policies against discrimination and sexual harassment.