AFT Michigan is a union representing 30,000 educators and healthcare providers who champion fairness, democracy, economic opportunity, high-quality public education, healthcare, and services for students, their families, and our communities. We are committed to advancing these principles through community engagement, organizing, collective bargaining, political activism, and our members’ work. AFT Michigan believes that a culturally diverse workforce advances our mission, and we strongly encourage applications from under-represented communities of workers.

Job Title: Campaign Coordinator, Healthy and Carbon Free Schools

AFT Michigan is hiring a campaign coordinator to build a coalition of labor unions—representing Michigan’s 600,000 union workers— environmental allies and community and parent organizations to make our public schools healthier, safer, and carbon free. The campaign will prioritize schools most in need of investment but ultimately reach all of Michigan’s 3,500 public schools. The goal is to improve student performance and teacher satisfaction while combating climate change and addressing inequality. More specifically, it is to:

• Renovate and repair leaky, unhealthy, inefficient schools, including addressing air and water issues and retrofitting them with solar panels to reduce emissions
• Embed climate education in the curriculum at all school levels, pre-K through college
• Establish high-quality career technical education programs in high schools and community colleges connecting the new energy economy with work-based learning and pre[1]apprenticeship programs
• Create good union jobs and build more equitable communities
• Save school districts’ money by reducing tax dollars used for energy, heating, and cooling
• Protect the natural environment & resources

 Key Responsibilities:

Taking direction from AFT Michigan President David Hecker in coordination with the Climate Jobs

National Resource Center:

• Strategize with AFT Michigan and CJNRC leaders drafting and executing union engagement and community outreach plans to promote healthy and carbon free schools and secure federal and other financing for local implementation
• Build a Michigan Climate Jobs union committee leveraging its strengths to support grassroots engagement targeted at federal, state, and local elected officials
• Work closely with local unions to plan and coordinate campaign activity
• Build and manage grassroots and community stakeholder support for healthy and carbon free schools
• Coordinate with the AFT Michigan and CJNRC communications teams on communications strategy, including social media, press outreach, and digital advertising
• Work with local elected and appointed leaders alongside parents and community organizations on issues related to funding for healthy and carbon free schools
• Plan, coordinate and attend event and direct actions
• Report progress toward goals at weekly meetings with leaders

Key Qualifications:

• A strong commitment to progressive social change, racial justice, and familiarity with the labor movement and the issues that are central to MI AFT’s work and vision
• Experience leading campaigns and coordinating the work of multiple allies
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Effective time-management skills, including prioritizing and managing multiple tasks with light supervision
• Knowledge and understanding of labor unions and social movement values is preferred
• Experience in union organizing a plus
• Computer literacy required, some database experience preferred and other computer programs
• Reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license
• Be able to work irregular, often lengthy hours
• Be willing and able to travel to appropriate worksites
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to meet critical deadlines
• Have a professional demeanor
• Other duties as assigned
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred, but not required

Competitive salary and health insurance package as provided by the AFT Michigan/AFT Michigan Staff Union collective bargaining agreement. The salary range starts at $62,000. The position is grant funded.

LGBTQ, women and BIPOC candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply:

Apply by submitting a cover letter highlighting your approach to building strong unions, resume, and at least three references via email (with “AFT Michigan Position” in the subject line) to kmcconer@aftmichigan.org.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning April 4, 2022