CUCFA
Council of University of California Faculty Associations

Organizer

Based in Los Angeles or SF Bay Area, CA

 

Full Time • $90,000 to $115,000 plus benefits depending on experience • In-person Los Angeles or SF Bay Area

About UCFA
The UC Faculty Association (UCFA) is the statewide organization that brings together the Faculty Associations at each of the ten University of California campuses. UCFA represents UC faculty on issues of shared governance, academic freedom, labor rights, equitable compensation, and the public mission of the University of California. The organization has been undergoing a shift in strategic direction from an advocacy model to an organizing model. We aim to significantly increase the collective power of our chapters through deeper and more sustained faculty organizing, fighting for the future of higher education.

Position Summary
UCFA seeks a skilled and experienced Organizer to conduct worker outreach to Senate faculty at UC campuses in either the Los Angeles or Bay areas. The Organizer will lead 1:1, 2:1, and group meetings with the aim of identifying and developing workplace leaders, mobilizing workers to fight for the future of higher education, and supporting local campus organizing committees. The Organizer will also have responsibility for facilitating some statewide organizing projects and supporting statewide leadership in implementing their organizing plans and campaign vision. The position will report to UCFA officers.

Duties & Responsibilities
Worker Engagement

• Conduct worker outreach to build awareness, power, and visibility of the Faculty Associations;
• Motivate workers to join the Faculty Association by sharing information about ongoing campaigns and successes;
• Lead 1:1 and group meetings with workers to gain knowledge of specific workplace concerns;

Leadership Development

• Support the development of skills training for existing leaders via engaging them in workplace mapping, 2:1s, and worksite walk-throughs;
• Identify, recruit, and train new potential workplace leaders, especially by building and strengthening the local Organizing Committee;
• Train leaders on how to run an effective Organizing Committee meeting, set organizing goals, and execute a plan to achieve those goals.

Strategy, Communications, Information Sharing

• Participate in statewide strategy and campaign meetings with UCFA leadership and partner organizations, including AAUP and AFT
• Work with UCFA leadership to set strategic direction and provide support for assorted ad-hoc statewide campaigns and projects
• Maintain accurate information on worksite activities, membership, leadership development and assessments, using UCFA’s CRM platform.
• Attend regular meetings with leadership to discuss progress and establish benchmarks and goals for assigned turf.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working on union organizing drives or union contract campaigns; 
• A commitment to worker-led organizing practices; 
• Experience in identifying and developing workplace leaders during a union drive; 
• Experience working independently;
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written;
• The ability to meet with workers in a variety of locations;
• Familiarity with employment relations issues in higher education, including labor rights, academic freedom, research funding, tenure and promotion, and shared governance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with the University of California system, its governance structure, and California higher education policy, and/or
• Familiarity with health-care and medical research institutions and workplaces; 
• At least 3 years of previous labor organizing experience

Compensation & Work Environment
Yearly salary is between $90,000 and $115,000 based on experience. Additional health and retirement benefits are also included. UCFA is a largely remote workplace, however residency in California is required and a great deal of the work of this position will take place in person in either Los Angeles or the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Equal Opportunity Employer
UCFA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

How to Apply
To apply, please send the following materials to jobs@cucfa.org with the subject line “Organizer”:

• A cover letter describing your experience in organizing for labor organizations or unions, your experience in higher education workplaces, and your commitment to UCFA’s mission;
• An up-to-date résumé.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of October 2nd. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a remote interview.