SEIU Local 503
In It Together

Union Caucus Organizer

Based in Portland, OR

 

SEIU 503 is an organization of more than 72,000 Oregonians who, by joining together, are achieving what we cannot accomplish alone. By standing together, we have a voice in our contracts and our daily work lives. SEIU 503 members do more than 500 different jobs on the state, local government, and non-profit level. The services we provide include helping blind people get access to education, assisting nursing home patients, testing new drivers, collecting tax revenue, providing childcare, helping veterans, assisting at-risk youth, staffing our state universities, repairing bridges, maintaining Oregon’s parks, and caring for seniors and people with disabilities.

The work we do touches the lives of every single Oregonian. We are proud to stand together for the quality services we provide for our communities and families.

Be part of SEIU Local 503, a strong and growing union that is on the front lines to fight for quality public services and a more just society for all workers.

General Description:
With shared vision and purpose, we will drive organizational change and effectiveness through a focus on staff and team development, accountability, and equity and inclusion.

The principal role of the Caucus Organizer is to help strengthen our union’s caucuses by supporting the development of caucus leadership and assisting in the promotion and coordination of caucus activities.

The position’s secondary role is to provide support to regularly assigned Caucus Staff Advisors.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Support leadership development of caucus members by:
  • Working with Caucus Staff Advisors and Field Organizers to identify development goals and integrate caucus work into leadership development plans.
  • Providing or arranging training for caucus leaders as needed.
  • Working with field teams to create strategies for recruiting and developing leaders of color and members from other underrepresented communities.
• Support leaders in planning and implementing caucus-specific programming and campaigns, including but not limited to:
  • Advising members on the steps to be taken to resolve issues and organizing members to take action around such issues where appropriate.
  • Facilitating healthy communication between caucus leaders, including helping to facilitate planning discussions and the delegation of different tasks and roles.
  • Ensuring that caucuses have systems in place for keeping and sharing notes and planning documents.
  • Advising members and staff around opportunities to participate in caucus activities.
• Support the Civil and Human Rights Committee (CHRC) by:
  • Planning, coordinating, and facilitating regular CHRC meetings.
  • Planning and coordinating the CHRC Conference.
  • Ensuring consistent communication and collaboration between CHRC members and facilitating cross-caucus collaboration.
  • Developing CHRC member leaders and guiding them through their annual strategic planning process.
• Providing guidance and assistance in creating and maintaining caucus budgets; helping caucus leaders think through budgetary considerations when planning caucus activities.
• Support leaders with caucus communications needs, including but not limited to:
  • Assisting Caucus Staff Advisors in the set up and administration of electronic communication systems, such as emails and Hustle.
  • Facilitating inter-caucus communication and coordination of activities.
• Providing prompt responses to questions, requests, and other communications from caucus members and staff advisors.
• Provide overall coordination and administrative support to caucus leaders and staff advisors, as needed.
• Schedule and facilitate regular caucus staff advisor check ins.
• Develop and maintain systems for tracking and reporting caucus-specific data.
• Provide backup coverage and support to Caucus Staff Advisors as needed; assist Caucus Staff Advisors in ensuring timely coordination of any logistic or technical support needs for caucus activities, including but not limited to:
• Assisting caucus leaders in reserving meeting space and video/phone conference lines as needed.
• Making sure that all catering and travel requests are submitted on time.
• Facilitating the coordination of lodging, carpools, and other travel logistics as needed.
• Develop and implement weekly work plans and long-term plans for assigned work.
• Report to OEI Strategist and Organizational Development Director on progress and obstacles in a timely manner.
• Political action: door-to-door canvassing, phone banks, issue campaigns, candidate campaigns, informing the membership on the issues and candidates, targeting candidates, targeting precincts for candidate races, voter registration, questionnaires and surveys on candidates and issues; get-out-the-vote drives.
• Perform other duties as required to support SEIU Local 503 and its mission.

Qualifications:

• Minimum Three (3) years of experience organizing, and developing leaders, in BIPOC, LGBTQIA2s+ and Disabled communities. Knowledge and experience with theory and practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Strong commitment to the labor movement and social justice work.
• Bi-lingual ability to speak and write in English and Spanish or Vietnamese is preferred.
• Strong emotional intelligence and committed to own growth and development.
• Functions with a high level of integrity and transparency; comfortable giving and receiving direct feedback to/from members, peers and supervisors.
• Demonstrated ability to develop positive relationships with people with different views and life experiences.
• Ability to exercise strong judgment in highly complex situations.
• Ability to take initiative, to work with a team, and to handle a fast-paced setting, multiple projects, and tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; including active listening.
• Skilled in the use of personal computers, including proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, database programs, and online research services.
• Ability and stamina to work irregular and long hours and to attend weekend and evening activities throughout the state.

Working Environment:

☐ Group 1 - Requires performing instant or sustained arduous physical activity
☒ Group 2 - Requires occasional lifting and exertion for short periods
☐ Group 3 - Very Limited Physical Exertion

Office and field work involving travel to all areas of the state - sometimes with overnight stays - in a variety of environmental conditions. The workweek is Monday through Friday plus weekend work when specifically assigned. The workday may begin before and extend beyond normal office hours depending on the demands of the assignment.

Technology and Equipment:

• Operation of a personal motor vehicle (insured)
• Telephone
• Copier
• Camera and/or Video camera and system
• Computer Software: (Word, Excel, PageMaker, FileMaker Pro, etc.)

Pay and Benefits:
Organizing positions provide comprehensive fully paid health, dental and vision benefits for employee and eligible dependents, domestic partner benefits, generous holiday and vacation policies, a monthly car and cell phone allowance, and a 15% employer-paid defined contribution 401K. Compensation range is based on experience $66,012 – $98,124 (*plus 6% bilingual differential) annually.

Summary:
We are committed to hiring staff who reflect our membership and model the unity and equity that we seek to create in Oregon communities. Women, LGBTQ, people of color, and immigrants strongly encouraged to apply.

To Apply:
Send cover letter and résumé to Arturo Rodriguez Flores, Recruitment Strategist, at: rodriguezfloresa@seiu503.org.