Albuquerque Teachers Federation
American Federation of Teachers, Local 1420
www.atfunion.org

Professional Staff Representative

Based in Albuquerque, NM

 

The Albuquerque Teachers Federation (ATF)/AFT/AFL-CIO is seeking candidates for the position of Professional Staff Representative.

ATF represents over 6,300 teachers and other professional educators employed in Albuquerque Public Schools (APS). APS is an urban, rural, and suburban district — the largest school district in New Mexico.

ATF is the largest local educators’ union in the state and is an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). We are a progressive, professional union committed to educational excellence and social justice, and believe that the future well-being of our members depends on the success of our public schools. For more information, go to www.atfunion.org.

Position Description
The Albuquerque Teachers Federation has an opening for a Professional Staff Representative starting in May or June 2025.

Candidates for the Professional Staff Representative must have strong problem-solving and interpersonal communication skills.

As a Professional Staff Representative, candidates will work toward the achievement of the ATF’s goals through member representation in employment matters, including grievance procedures, and organizing, advocacy, and disseminating accurate information to all educators.

The ideal candidate for the position has work experience in teaching, with labor, progressive nonprofit agencies, or political organizations. For this position we have a strong preference for a person with public school professional experience.

Candidates must have excellent writing skills and a demonstrated knowledge of using websites, email, Google applications and Microsoft office.

Critically, the ideal candidate is passionate about public education and enjoys working in a team environment. Long and indeterminate hours are sometimes required.

We have created a paid intern opportunity for the 5 months prior to the job opening. Our goal is to interview this fall with a start date in January. This will allow the new staff person to work with experienced ATF staff and learn the various aspects of the work we do in our union before assuming independent staff work.

Desirable Qualities and Skills

• Dedication to improving the professional lives of public school employees and strengthening the role of organized labor through public actions, community relations, and legislative and political activity.
• Knowledge of current issues in K-12 public education and labor.
• Excellent writing, speaking and analytic skills; the ability to analyze and articulate complex issues and to communicate them to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to work well on teams.
• Ability to take direction.
• Ability to use appropriate strategies and interventions to deal with difficult individuals.
• Demonstrate the ability to assist in resolving interpersonal disputes.
• Assess information and evidence while managing conflicting and changing priorities.
• Establish and cultivate respectful relationships with people from diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends on occasion.
• Ability to work under pressure; must be well-organized and self-motivated.

Preferred Attributes

• Independent project management skills, detail-oriented self-starter.
• Strategic thinking, exercising a high level of judgment.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Demonstrates outstanding listening, oral and written communication skills.
• Respect for and/or knowledge of the cultures of New Mexico.

Entrance Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree with a preference for a degree in education.

Compensation

• Starting salary is a minimum of $60,000. This may be increased depending on experience.
• ATF provides a comprehensive benefits package including employer paid medical, dental, and vision
• Prescription drug, defined benefit pension plan, and long-term disability insurance as outlined in the staff Collective Bargaining Agreement affiliated with Teamsters LU 492.

Supervision

• ATF staff works at the direction of the president.

Probation Period

• 18 months

Professional Staff Representative job description as written in Article 5 of the staff collective bargaining agreement:

For the term of this agreement, the Professional Staff Representative is under contract to provide the following services, as assigned and directed by the President of the Federation or the President’s designee appointed to act in his/her absence for a specific period of time:

• Sustained organizing of the bargaining unit to include committees, as well as assigned special organizing projects; assisting the Organizing & Communications Department with internal/external organizing campaigns.
• Collective bargaining research.
• General contract administration, including, but not limited to grievance, arbitration, visitation, and communication.
• General political action responsibilities, including political education and liaison with political leaders as assigned.
• Training of the ATF local’s membership and Federation Representatives.
• General liaison work with the labor movement as assigned.
• Public relations activities as assigned.
• Representing the ATF Union through visitations at school sites.
• Special assignments as requested by the national AFT.
• Participation in joint ATF Union-District committees.
• Assignment to District committees as assigned by the Federation President.
• Creating internal informational flyers and publications.
• Work assisting and informing Federation Representatives.
• Work with ATF committees, task forces and ad hoc groups.

Application Process
The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, April 25, 2025. Interested candidates should send a résumé and cover letter to:

Search Committee
Albuquerque Teachers Federation
530 Jefferson Street NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108

Or

Electronic submissions may be sent to: Barbara@atfunion.org