SEIU Local 521

Senior Campaign Researcher

Based in San Jose, CA

 

SEIU Local 521 was founded in 2007 when 5 local unions came together in the Bay Area, Central Coast and Central Valley to form one larger, more powerful union. Together our members are building a true 21st century union fighting to empower and improve the lives of our members. We represent over 50,000 public service workers in cities, counties, courts, schools, private non-profits, special districts, childcare, and public health care.

AT SEIU LOCAL 521: Our mission is to provide our members with a voice in the workplace, in their union and in the larger community. Through our actions, we intend to create a more just and humane society. We are committed to protecting and improving the lives of workers and their families. We will work to improve and protect the services we provide to our communities. We believe that by working together as a united front, we can win better contracts and build industry power in our region.

Senior Researcher within SEIU 521 must possess a high level of expertise and skills in the field of strategic research and operate with a high degree of independence. This position is the advanced journey-level class of the Researcher series. A Senior Researcher within SEIU 521 must perform at a higher level of expertise with a more comprehensive skillset than a Researcher. A Senior Researcher will understand and help campaign teams identify the strategic outcomes to be achieved through campaign research program and then conduct or lead that research, demonstrating a high level of sophistication in identifying potential sources of information including methodologies for developing information from original sources including workers, clients, etc. The senior researcher will analyze complex information including information about political and economic relationships and will demonstrate the ability to analyze the power dynamics in a way that will help SEIU 521 make the most strategic decisions about possible courses of action. The Senior Researcher’s work will include, but not be limited to, developing an understanding of employer operations, regulatory oversight, and finances. In addition, the Senior Researcher will identify other governmental entities, organizations and individuals who may bring power to bear on situations affecting SEIU 521 whether as potential allies or as adversaries and will develop strategies for SEIU 521 to consider based on the information developed. This position will not be eligible for a lead differential. The Senior Researcher will be assigned to work with members in one or multiple regions of SEIU 521.

RESPONSIBILITIES: All duties listed are required but not limited to and may or may not be continuously performed or ongoing at any specific time. Examples provide a general summary of the work required and should not be treated as a total and complete list of expected duties to be performed by employees in the classification. The Senior Researcher performs a wide range of duties, which may vary according to the needs of the overall union program or a specific campaign. Examples of those duties and responsibilities are listed below:

• Guides/teaches more junior researchers about campaign strategy and tactics, research strategies, the relevant industry data, and articulate/teach information about key industries; reviews and is able to provide useful feedback on their work. 
• Assists in planning agendas and takes a role in leading pieces of meetings. Leads small team meetings with minimal guidance and support. 
• Help others on team to brainstorm around research challenges. Ability to develop new creative solutions to complicated research problems.
• Independently lead the research component in a campaign by working collaboratively with the campaign team to implement research strategies and tactics in a coordinated manner.
• Lead policy research and development for the Local and represent the Local at workgroups or coalition settings.
• Develops new creative solutions to complicated research problems arising in different campaigns.
• Collaborate with Regional Director/Coordinator in the overall strategic planning for the region/team.
• Develop training for junior researchers and other department’s staff on strategic campaign research strategies centered around a deep understanding of industry/political power dynamics. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A qualified candidate must have consistently demonstrated the following:

• Ability to independently plan and manage research projects, including breaking down the larger projects into a group work plan, in support of campaigns. 
• Ability to independently develop an understanding of employers’ strategic interests and of the other governmental entities, organizations and individuals which can influence an employer’s decisions.
• Ability to understand employer practices and the issues faced by workers and based on that understanding, identify how regulations; social, media, and policy trends; academic and advocacy interests; etc may impact the interests of SEIU 521 members and advise SEIU 521 as to possible courses of action.
• Deep understanding of employer budget and other financial statements; ability to independently summarize findings from employer budget and other financial documents for the rest of the union and provide strategic guidance based on the information.
• Can train others on using industry sources and sources of information available through the research department. 
• Deep understanding of the employers and relevant industries to be able to interact with union leadership and other stakeholders within and outside labor movement.
• Strong technical research skills and ability to apply research to the development of strategic campaigns.
• Independently conduct employer research and financial analysis. 
• Proficiency in Excel and other MS office suites; knowledge of data manipulation or programming skills a plus. 
• Strong emotional intelligence and ability to quickly gain and maintain trust with staff and members.
• Experience leading and delegating work.
• Ability to work in an unpredictable and ever-evolving environment with little oversight. 
• Ability to identify and develop appropriate research material for contract negotiations, Media persuasion, member education, and presentations before public board and commissions on behalf of the members and the union. 
• Makes relevant and helpful connections between his or her findings and existing campaign plans; Based on her/his own analysis, or analysis done by others on the team, is able to identify possible next steps and can make suggestions to campaign leads about potential new avenues to explore.
• Is able to help others on team brainstorm around research challenges and guide more junior staff on the basics of the industry in which they are operating. 
• Ability to effectively interact with members, understand their issues, and help them to see the bigger picture in the campaign.
• Proficiency in the understanding of complex bargaining strategies that lead to strong contracts and increased union power.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with staff from other teams in a campaign team setting and demonstrate understanding of each departments’ role/contribution in a strategic campaign.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must possess a valid California driver’s license; must pass a DMV check and have a good driving record. 
• Must have auto insurance that covers business driving (minimum of $100,000 per person/$300,000 per incident bodily injury liability/$100,000 property coverage); and must possess an automobile for business use.
• Minimum of three (3) years demonstrated experience at higher level as described in the position description within SEIU 521 or equivalent.
• Must be an exemplary employee with satisfactory or higher than average rated evaluations. 
• Excellent judgment and ability to discern priorities when faced with many important tasks.
• Extensive knowledge of labor rights and contract language and ability to learn these quickly.
• Curiosity, ingenuity, flexibility, and proactivity; Ability to manage multiple projects. 
• Willingness to work long and irregular hours, often including nights and weekends.
• Excellent critical thinking, communication, writing and quantitative skills. 
• Ability to maintain work files and comply with administrative reporting.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Salary commensurate with experience ($112,768.45 – $124,327.22). SEIU Local 521 employees enjoy top notch benefits including fully employer-paid family health, dental and vision insurance; a generous leave package; fully employer-paid defined benefit pension plan; 401(K); flexible savings accounts for annual health and childcare expenses; $200,000 life insurance plan; and other benefits outlined in the policies of SEIU 521.

TO APPLY: https://www.seiu521.org/who-we-are/work-with-us/

This position is open until filled; however, the posting/acceptance of applications may close at any time.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
Local 521 is an affirmative action employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. Local 521 works to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforces policies against discrimination and sexual harassment