Job Description

SEIU Local 509

Internal Organizer, Higher Education

Based in Marlborough, MA

About SEIU Local 509
SEIU Local 509 is a fast growing, progressive union representing over 20,000 state workers, human service workers, higher education faculty and graduate student workers, and family child care providers in Massachusetts.

General Description of Position
This internal organizing position is a backfill for a vacated role; the candidate will be responsible for organizing, representing, and negotiating for SEIU Local 509 members working at Lesley University and Tufts University. As needs within the department change, assignments across the higher education sector may shift to reflect those changes.

Examples of Duties:

• Lead negotiations for contracts and agreements.
• Organize members and recruit and train member leaders.
• Guide and support member leaders in the work required to build and maintain an active, member-led bargaining unit.
• Plan and execute campaigns and worker actions with members.
• Investigate member complaints and find appropriate resolutions.
• Communicate regularly with union membership and university management.
• Support new organizing in higher education.
• Perform related work and union-wide duties as required and assigned.
• Specific duties may change at the direction of the Higher Education Coordinator.

Supervision:
You will report directly to the Higher Education Coordinator. You will also work under the guidance of the Lead Internal Organizers in the Higher Education department, though they are not formal supervisors. You may be asked to supervise specific projects, member organizers, or interns directly.

Working Conditions:
This job is based in our Marlborough, MA office and often requires in-person attendance at member work sites, but may work remotely as appropriate. Frequent travel within Massachusetts and occasional out-of-state travel is required. Working long hours, evenings, and weekends is often necessary; the baseline expectation is to work 37.5 hours across 5 days each week.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Attending various outdoor events, sometimes for a full working day, even in potentially uncomfortable (but not unsafe) weather.

Qualifications:

• Required:
  • Experience with the duties of internal organizing, including representation, bargaining, and member recruitment and development.
  • Negotiation skills, especially those related to being a lead negotiator, are critically important, as the successful candidate will be tasked with continuing negotiations already in progress.
  • Familiarity with private-sector higher education organizing.
  • Knowledge of United States and Massachusetts labor laws.
  • Basic computer skills and a willingness to learn new technologies.
• Preferred:
  • Experience working in a higher education environment (as an educator, researcher, staff member, or union rep) or a graduate degree (in any field).
  • Experience organizing with graduate student workers.

The Ideal Candidate
There are many qualities that make up an ideal candidate. You might be a perfect fit for this role if this describes you:

• Committed to the labor movement and progressive social change.
• Able to earn trust and build strong relationships across different teams.
• Able to work effectively with limited guidance, both independently and as part of a team.
• Able to accurately assess priorities and balance the progress of multiple short and long-term projects.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills.
• Discretion and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Highly organized and efficient, with meticulous attention to detail.

Compensation:
This is a union-represented position; as of 2024, the CBA defines the range for an Internal Organizer as $81,876.04 to $92,752.49 / year. Benefits include, at no cost to the employee, health insurance with HRA, dental insurance, short and long-term disability, a pension, an optional 401k (no employer match) and FSA, and generous paid time off.

Application Process:
SEIU Local 509 is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity — women, BIPOC, LGBT candidates, and candidates from other marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

We want to interview the best candidates for our organization. If you think you have the skills to fill the role and serve our mission, even if you don't meet every qualification in the list, please consider applying. We review all applications thoroughly and are open to considering candidates from many different backgrounds.

If you require accommodations prior to submitting an application, please email [email protected]

To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a résumé and cover letter to: [email protected]

Questions about the positions can be directed to [email protected]

Applications are reviewed as they are received; candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for priority consideration.

*SEIU Local 509 requires potential candidates to have a COVID-19 Vaccination or a valid exemption at the time of hire.*

WHEN APPLYING: Be sure to indicate that you saw this information at .

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