SEIU Local 509
 

Community and Advocacy Organizer

Based in Marlborough, MA

 

ABOUT SEIU 509:
SEIU Local 509 represents nearly 20,000 human service workers and educators throughout Massachusetts. We are united in our mission to raise living standards for working families while improving the quality and affordability of the services we provide. As part of our mission, we seek to organize and unite all workers eligible for membership in our union, and we are committed to fighting for social equity both in and outside the workplace.

As a Community and Advocacy Organizer, you will support Local 509 in building sustainable relationships with community allies to help support labor-organizing campaigns and forge long-term partnerships within the communities where our members work and live.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who instinctively takes initiative and proactively identifies opportunities for impact. This role is for a dynamic individual who excels at forging collaborative relationships with a wide range of grassroots groups and creating and executing comprehensive work plans.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify potential allies among labor, religious, ethnic, immigrant, advocacy, patient/client, disability, environmental, senior, neighborhood, and other appropriate community organizations and leaders;
• Develop relationships with potential allies, educate them on SEIU Local 509 campaigns and objectives, and organize them to support those campaigns and objectives;
• Attend meetings of allied community organizations when appropriate to maintain effective relationships and build support for union campaigns;
• Identify opportunities for Common Good organizing;
• Coordinate SEIU Local 509’s participation in activities in support of community allies;
• Maintain database and other records on community organizations and leaders in the area;
• Track 509 member activity in community organizations that may be potential allies;
• Develop, recruit, and train 509 members to represent the union in community organizations effectively;
• Develop expertise in trends and changes within the Massachusetts Human Services System and its stakeholders.
• Effectively communicate the interests of union members to community organizations and vice versa

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
The ideal candidate will bring previous experience in community organizing within a labor union context. 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:

• Full-time paid experience in community organizing;
• Familiarity with the operations and ecosystem of the human services sector;
• High-level ability to communicate orally and in writing;
• Ability to establish, maintain rapport, and work in mutually beneficial coalitions with widely varied ethnic, social, and philosophical groups;
• Ability to work under pressure and with minimal supervision;
• Ability to plan strategically, follow a plan, and be accountable to a team in carrying out a plan;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team;
• Dedication to building power for workers and a willingness to participate in a wide field of activities towards that objective;
• Freedom and willingness to work irregular and long hours and attend required evening and weekend meetings;
• Strong planning, time-management, and problem-solving skills;
• Possession of a valid U.S. driver’s license, proof of auto insurance, and an automobile for business use;
• Fluency in English and another language such as Hausa, Swahili, Spanish, or Haitian Creole

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This is a full-time position that often requires long and irregular hours, including some nights, weekends, and holidays;
• This position requires travel within the state of Massachusetts;
• This job requires the ability to work both independently and in collaboration with a diverse team of other staff members;
• A valid driver’s license and a car with insurance are required;
• While some aspects of the job can be performed from home, this is NOT a remote job and in-person work is mandatory

SUPERVISION:
Works under the supervision of the organizing director (or their designee) who reviews work for effectiveness, timeliness, scope, and accuracy per the needs of the campaign. Works collaboratively across departments with Communications, Political, Field Teams, etc.

SALARY & BENEFITS:
This is a union bargaining unit position. SEIU Local 509 offers competitive salaries (commensurate with experience) and a generous benefits package. Salary range is $81,876.04 to $92,752.49 depending on experience.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
SEIU Local 509 is an equal-opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity — women, people of color, and LGBT candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a résumé and cover letter to: jobapplication@seiu509.org with the subject title Community and Advocacy Organizer Position.

The deadline for the application is December 2, 2024. No phone calls, please.

*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.*