CTU
Chicago Teachers Union

Assistant to the Grievance Department Director
Grievance Department

Based in Chicago, IL

 

Position: Assistant to the Grievance Department Director of the Chicago Teachers Union
Department: Grievance
Reports to: Grievance Department Director with dotted line to Office Manager
Job Classification/Status: Non-Exempt, Full-time
Contract: Union, Office and Technical Employee Group (OTEG)
Salary Range: Per Contract Recommendation

Position Summary:
The Assistant to the Grievance Department provides administrative assistance and support to the Grievance Department Director and directed support to attorneys and other staff members within the department. This position is responsible for a broad set of assignments and will represent the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), the Grievance Director, and other members of the department in a positive and professional manner to staff members, CTU members, the Chicago Board of Education, and the external community. The Assistant to the Grievance Department demonstrates an ability to maintain confidentiality and a commitment to providing outstanding service.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Assistant to the Grievance Department will have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Draft and email correspondence pertaining to grievances, appeals, & mediation, and arbitration demands.
• Maintain log of arbitration cases and update as new information arises.
• Prepare notices as to send to CTU members, the Chicago Board of Education, Arbitrators & outside legal counsel.
• Process and disseminate communications received from the Chicago Board of Education and individual CPS schools to appropriate staff members in the grievance department.
• Assist department staff as directed with maintaining records and contact information.
• Provide registration and set-up assistance during CTU events, meetings, trainings, etc.
• Clerical duties including answering and screening calls, filing, copying, helping prepare meeting packets, data entry, room scheduling, etc.
• Provide coverage for other assistants in the department as needed.
• Overtime may be required.
• Perform other duties as assigned and deemed appropriate by the Grievance Department Director, Office Manager or designee.

Experience:
Five (5) years of experience in an administrative role providing support to senior management and/or attorneys. Previous experience as a paralegal or legal assistant desired in a union environment desired. Requires an understanding of all entities associated with the CTU including the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

Education:
Equivalent experience or Bachelor’s degree required.

Skills & Abilities:
The Assistant to the Grievance Department will have the following skills and abilities:

• Primary understanding of the grievance, appeals, mediation and arbitration process for union members.
• Strong analytical, writing, communication, multi-tasking, and customer service skills.
• Will exhibit qualities of integrity, trustworthiness, professionalism, credibility, common sense, good judgment, discretion, diplomacy, tact, and adaptability.
• Prior success in managing senior management schedules and calendars.
• Understanding of time-limits as it relates to the grievance process up to and including arbitration.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work in a fast paced environment.
• Regularly follow processes that improve functionality and efficiency.
• Critical thinking skills to know when to escalate staff and member concerns.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams and to foster teamwork.
• Accurate cash handling, writing, typing, and data entry skills.
• Competent in the use of a variety of technologies including Microsoft Office Suite, AV, mobile/electronic devices, video communications and webinar tools, and any other applicable systems and databases.

Essential Physical Activities/Job Site/Work Environment
Physical effort and working conditions will be typical of an office or administrative position including sitting, standing, bending, walking, stairs, workstation, talking on the phone, looking at a computer monitor, occasional light lifting and moving from office to office for meetings. Normal hours of work will be 9am - 5pm Monday through Friday; flexibility will be required from time to time. This work location has wheelchair accessibility.
This is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, or requirements associated with the position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position, management reserves the right to revise the position as deemed appropriate.

To Apply:
Please submit your résumé, with references and a cover letter to hr@ctulocal1.org.