SEIU Local 509
 

Director
Member Action Resource Center

Based in Marlborough, MA

 

About SEIU Local 509
SEIU Local 509 is a fast growing, progressive union representing over 20,000 state workers, human service workers, higher education faculty and graduate student workers, and family child care providers in Massachusetts.

General Description of Position
As a manager and member of our senior staff, you will have primary responsibility for running the Member Action Resource Center (MARC) Department of the Local. You will oversee all services related to contract enforcement, including training stewards and staff to represent members across the entire Local. You will coordinate with the General Counsel and the Local's attorneys to facilitate arbitrations and legal suits, as needed.

Examples of Duties:

• Lead and manage departmental staff.
• Consult and advise on workplace incidents, contract disputes, grievances, and arbitrations.
• Direct strategic planning initiatives for the Public Sector Department and membership.
• Review grievances to determine eligibility for arbitration and make recommendations.
• Oversee the planning and implementation of the stewards training program.
• Ensure that stewards consistently follow established practices with regard to grievance processing and documentation.
• Coordinate resources and services within the Local, especially with the Communications, Administration, Public Sector, Private Sector, Higher Ed, and Family Child Care departments.
• Ensure coverage of investigatory interviews, grievance hearings, arbitration preparation, Alternative Dispute Resolution hearings, mediation, and other representational situations.
• Maintain adequate MARC phone and email coverage among department staff and ensure all inquiries are handled appropriately.
• Respond to member concerns and complaints in a timely manner.
• With and on behalf of the leadership of the Local, represent the membership in meetings with managers, government agencies, and other external bodies as needed.
• Perform related work and union-wide duties as required.

Supervision:
You will report directly to the Chief of Staff. As a manager, you will directly supervise organizers in the MARC, and may supervise paid member organizers, interns, and other temporary employees. Supervision may include interviewing, hiring, training, assigning, delegating, evaluating, promoting, transferring, investigating, disciplining, and terminating, as needed.

Working Conditions:
This job is based in our Marlborough, MA office, but may regularly work remotely as appropriate. Travel within Massachusetts and occasional out-of-state travel may be required on occasion. Working long hours, evenings, and weekends is occasionally necessary; the baseline expectation is to work 37.5 hours across 5 days each week and the work hours may be flexible so long as the duties of the job may be fulfilled

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Attending occasional outdoor events, sometimes for a full working day, even in potentially uncomfortable (but not unsafe) weather.

Qualifications:

• Required:
  • Extensive knowledge of and experience with grievance and arbitration practices and ability to analyze and investigate a wide range of disciplinary and contract interpretation disputes .
  • Experience with management or supervision.
  • Familiarity with complex Collective Bargaining Agreements.
  • Knowledge of United States and Massachusetts labor laws.
• Preferred:
  • Experience as a union member and/or working in the labor movement.
  • Experience with training and facilitation.
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish (oral and written fluency).

The Ideal Candidate
There are many qualities that make up an ideal candidate. You might be a perfect fit for this role if this describes you:

• Committed to the labor movement and progressive social change.
• Able to work effectively with limited guidance, both independently and as part of a team.
• Able to accurately assess priorities and balance the progress of multiple short and long-term projects.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills.
• Discretion and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Highly organized and efficient, with a meticulous attention to detail.

Compensation:
Salary is determined by the Local 509 budget; as of 2024: $108,209.66 / year. Benefits include, at no cost to the employee, health insurance with FSA and HRA, dental insurance, short and long-term disability, a pension, an optional 401k (no employer match), and generous paid time off.

Application Process:
SEIU Local 509 is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity — women, BIPOC, LGBT candidates and candidates from other marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

We want to interview the best candidates for our organization. If you think you have the skills to fill the role and serve our mission, even if you don't meet every qualification in the list, please consider applying. We review all applications thoroughly and are open to considering candidates from many different backgrounds.

If you require accommodations prior to submitting an application, please email hr@seiu509.org or call us at 508-861-8938

To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a résumé and cover letter to: jobapplication@seiu509.org

Questions about the position can be directed to mgrair@seiu509.org

Applications are reviewed as they are received; priority consideration is given to applications received on or before September 20, 2024.

**SEIU Local 509 requires all employees to have at least one full course of the COVID-19 Vaccination or an approved exemption from Local 509 by the time of hire.*