United Food and Commercial Workers

Campaigns and Policy Coordinator
Civil Rights and Community Action Department

Based in Washington DC,
near Metro (on-site)
ufcw.org

 

Organization:
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) is North America’s neighborhood union; standing together to improve the lives and livelihoods of workers, families and communities. Our members work primarily in the retail food, meatpacking, poultry, food processing and manufacturing and retail store industries.

Location:
Washington DC, near Metro (on-site)

Position Description: 
The UFCW Civil Rights and Community Action Department supports and implements the priorities and programs of the UFCW and works to ensure that all workers have fairness and equality in the workplace. Our goal is to uplift the lives of workers of color, women, the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and other underrepresented communities, as well as partner with our local unions, constituencies, and community groups to advocate for and work to solve issues that affect these communities.

This role will work under the supervision of the Director of the Civil Rights and Community Action Department and support the development, implementation, and coordination of issue campaigns pertaining to racial and economic justice, mass incarceration, voting rights, and areas of mutual interest to UFCW and our partners.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Include the following. Other duties may be assigned. This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented.

• Builds and maintains partnerships with national and local partners, constituency groups, and UFCW members around issue campaign strategy, policy, and trainings. Fosters relationships with staff of other human rights, civil rights, criminal justice, and racial and economic justice organizations on the national and local levels to strengthen UFCW’s role in civil rights and equity. 
• Coordinates and executes the annual cultural heritage month observances, including program development, production, interdepartmental coordination and more.
• Researches and tracks key civil rights issues, such as racial justice, workplace discrimination, immigrant rights, gender equity, 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion, disability rights, and voting rights, and how they impact members to keep the Director informed to aid in the development of UFCW’s positions and communications strategies.
• Writes simple policy briefs and reports to keep members and leadership informed on civil rights and social justice issues.
• Works in collaboration with Legal, Organizing, and other departments to ensure civil rights priorities are included in bargaining and campaigns.
• Develops and implements effective communication strategies to keep partners, constituency groups, local unions, and members informed through regular updates that include research, fact sheets, toolkits, and other information, as needed.
• Identifies internal and external opportunities for UFCW officers, leaders, and departments to speak publicly on issues that are important to UFCW members, workers, and the broader community in various forums and social media platforms. 
• Leads, coordinates, and facilitates meetings, town halls, listening sessions, trainings, convenings, conference calls, and external programs and events with local unions, constituency groups, and partners on civil rights protections and workplace rights.
• Represents the UFCW in national and local coalitions that involve civil, human, and women's rights issues and other workers' rights issues that intersect with the Union’s work.
• Supports immigration-related programs and community partnership work as part of the broader civil rights program, coordinating with the Legal Department as needed. 

QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience with specific demonstrated experience in civil, human, and women's rights campaigns. Minimum 5+ years of experience in union or community organizing, including experience working with, or organizing, low-wage workers, criminal justice, and/or racial justice. Bilingual preferred. Knowledge of and experience working within the structure and functions of the labor movement.

Communication Skills

• Exemplary written and verbal communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
• Good listening and strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts while maintaining important and effective relationships.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Competencies

• Demonstrated experience in the conceptualization, development, and implementation of issue campaigns and educational training programs.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with communities of color, women, and the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
• In-depth understanding of policy issues including voting rights, mass incarceration, employee non-discrimination, pay equity, support for working families, and other issues relevant to current civil, human and women's rights protections.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with local labor movements and coordinate efforts on both the national and local levels.
• Must be detail-oriented; and have experience in developing and executing comprehensive work plans and objectives.

Personal Characteristics

• Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated, proactive and a self-starter.
• Strong organizational and time management skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple high priority projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, problem-solve, and think creatively and strategically.
• Experienced in navigating and working successfully in complex, high-stakes, politically sensitive situations, with professionalism and sound judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently within a team framework in both a lead and a support role, and to drive projects forward without close supervision.
• Requires initiative, honesty, leadership, the ability to motivate people, the ability to learn quickly, a good work ethic, and the proven ability to successfully carry out assignments.
• Strong commitment to social justice and equity.

Job Demands
Ability to work under high pressure in a fast-paced work environment, with multiple priorities and critical deadlines is required. Must be able to engage in frequent travel throughout the U.S, on short notice, for extended periods of time as required. Long and sometimes irregular hours, including nights and weekends, are also necessary. 

This is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 

Reasonable accommodations will be provided pursuant to state the federal laws.

COMPENSATION
Salary Range: $97,755 – $117,000

The UFCW provides a very generous benefits package, including:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Life insurance provided with ability to purchase supplemental life insurance at favorable rates.
• Retirement Savings Account.
• 401(k) plan with employer matching.
• Pension plan.
• Dependent care reimbursement account program.
• Health care reimbursement account program.
• Transportation program benefits.
• Three weeks of paid vacation, 12 days of paid short-term sick leave, Extended Sick Leave program, paid parental leave.
• Prepaid Legal Plan (for DC/MD/VA only).

Duration: 
This is a full-time position; posting closes when position is filled.     

Vaccination Requirement: The UFCW requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, consistent with applicable law. Any request or questions may be submitted to hrcovid@ufcw.org.

To Apply:
Submit cover letter, résumé to: humanresources@ufcw.org    

We believe our success rests on recruiting and retaining a diverse staff. UFCW is an equal opportunity employer.
Woman and people of color are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations will be provided pursuant to the state and federal laws.