TITLE: Senior Coordinator, API Civic Engagement

GRADE: MGT E; Annual salary $107,543

LOCATION: Washington, D.C.

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW: The 2 million members united in the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) are at the forefront of a movement to build power for working people and empower all workers to form unions, no matter what job they do. SEIU members are from every walk of life, every political party, every background, every faith. They come from communities with their own stories and strengths, and that makes the Union all the more powerful because there’s strength in numbers. SEIU members work across the healthcare spectrum providing high quality care and services. They are the workers who keep our nation’s airports running and make sure landmark buildings are clean and secure. They provide essential public services and give a foundation of learning to our youngest and brightest. SEIU members believe in and are fighting for a Just Society where all workers are valued and all people respected—no matter where they come from or what color they are; where all families and communities can thrive; and where we leave a better and more equitable world for generations to come.

PURPOSE OF POSITION: The person in this role serves as the Senior Coordinator, Asian Pacific Islander (API) Civic Engagement in SEIU International Union’s (IU) Political Department. This position is responsible for leading civic engagement work to achieve the goals of the Political Department in conjunction with the Assistant Director for Strategic Campaigns and Civic Engagement.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: (Any one position may not include all of the specific duties and responsibilities listed.  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.)

• Design, lead, and execute SEIU’s comprehensive union-wide API Civic Engagement program in coordination with various SEIU departments, campaigns, and locals;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with leadership in the API civic engagement space and help support and facilitate collaboration between and among groups;
• Leads API coalition work and coordinates with other unions and organizations as deemed appropriate;
• Works closely with Area Political Directors to ensure that the API program is in alignment with state electoral planning and, conversely, that state electoral plans reflect the API program’s national goals;
• Monitors, interprets and analyzes political data and activities;
• Develops a process for monitoring and assessing the API program’s investments, progress and regular reporting of that progress;
• Identifies electoral and civic engagement opportunities in SEIU’s priority states;
• Supports SEIU International senior staff and officers through achieving goals of political and civic engagement program;
• Performs other duties as required to support the department and its mission.

CONTACTS: Maintains high-level and ongoing contact with elected leaders, worker leaders, and SEIU IU and local union staff in complex and highly political situations.

DIRECTION AND DECISION-MAKING: Must be able to act and organize time with substantial independence. A high level of judgment, ability to take initiative and work with politically sensitive information. Must be highly organized and be able to handle multiple “priority” projects simultaneously and meet established deadlines. Reports to the Assistant Director for Strategic Campaigns and Civic Engagement.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Five-to-seven (5-7) years of experience, or bachelor’s degree plus 1-2 campaign cycles with direct principle work experience; or, combination of education and experience that would provide for the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; proven presentation skills;
• Demonstrated success campaigning or coalition building with API organizations;
• Deep understanding of existing leadership in the API civic engagement field;
• Able to communicate effectively with people representing diverse interests, styles, and backgrounds;
• Strong relationship builder;
• Thorough knowledge of political campaign strategies;
• Ability to work in politically charged environments and manage relationships with Local and International Officers, partners, staff and members;
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office programs;
• Ability to write and proofread internal and external communications materials;
• Demonstrated success in moving programs that build language justice and access in campaigns or community-building.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must have the ability to work in an office (or similar) setting with or without reasonable accommodation. Travel in addition to long and extended work hours are required.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENT: Candidates will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon commencing employment. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for either a) a certain medical condition(s); b) on the basis of sincerely held strong religious beliefs and practices or c) as otherwise required by law.

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GRADE: MGT F;$120,449

LOCATION: Remote

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW: The 2 million members united in the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) are at the forefront of a movement to build power for working people and empower all workers to form unions, no matter what job they do. SEIU members are from every walk of life, every political party, every background, every faith. They come from communities with their own stories and strengths, and that makes the Union all the more powerful because there’s strength in numbers. SEIU members work across the healthcare spectrum providing high quality care and services. They are the workers who keep our nation’s airports running and make sure landmark buildings are clean and secure. They provide essential public services and give a foundation of learning to our youngest and brightest. SEIU members believe in and are fighting for a Just Society where all workers are valued and all people respected—no matter where they come from or what color they are; where all families and communities can thrive; and where we leave a better and more equitable world for generations to come.

PURPOSE: The Assistant Political Director for Member Political Programs supports the development of SEIU’s national member political engagement program designed to engage the 2 million members of SEIU in line with the union’s strategy through member education, leadership development and mobilization in relation to SEIU’s national political strategy, plan and goals.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: (Any one position may not include all of the specific duties and responsibilities listed.  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.):

• Work in collaboration with the National Political Director, the Deputy National Political Director and the senior political team to develop and implement annual programmatic goals and priorities for the political department and contribute to the department’s ongoing goals and priorities.
• Prepare and execute a national member political engagement program, which includes candidate pipeline, national leadership academy, member communication and education support and support for locals with their member political engagement to support the work of the political department
• Help Locals activate SEIU members and organizing leaders’ workers in organizing and political campaigns.
• Develop and support actions and programs in support of Unions for All demands for racial and economic justice.
• Develop curriculum and workshops for members leadership development and political education for members, campaign field staff and local union political staff.
• Work with the political field team to formulate and administer member political program plans and budgets including strategic planning.
• Coordinates with SEIU departments, divisions, area offices, state councils, local unions and other SEIU bodies on strategy, resource allocation, staffing and other issues related to the member political program.
• Occasionally represent SEIU in conferences, government groups, national commissions and other public forums as necessary.

CONTACTS: Include SEIU and affiliate staff, staff and leaders of other unions, community and allied organizations, relevant public officials, and experts on issues pertinent to the operations of the Politics Department.

DIRECTION & DECISION MAKING: This position reports to the Deputy National Political Director and has a moderate amount of autonomy in decision making and usage of independent judgment.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Thorough knowledge of SEIU’s defined political issues and campaigns
• Thorough knowledge of various union organizing theories, strategies, and tactics
• Detailed knowledge of field organizing, corporate social responsibility, and policy campaigns
• Extensive knowledge of unions especially local union structures, interests, and systems
• Proven ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Proven ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds/cultures and manage large and diverse teams
• Experience handling multiple priorities and meeting established timelines
• Experience working with SEIU elected leadership and staff in complex & sometimes politically sensitive situations

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must have the ability to work in an office (or similar) setting with or without reasonable accommodation. Travel in addition to long and extended work hours are required.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENT: Candidates will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon commencing employment. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for either a) a certain medical condition(s); b) on the basis of sincerely held strong religious beliefs and practices or c) as otherwise required by law.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

A resume is required for all applications and a cover letter is highly suggested. Your cover letter should explain your reason for wanting to work for SEIU, an example of how you demonstrated success in a similar position and a description of how this position fits into your long-term career plan.

Apply Here

Annual salary $120,449

Location: Washington, DC (HQ)

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW: The 2 million members united in the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) are at the forefront of a movement to build power for working people and empower all workers to form unions, no matter what job they do. SEIU members are from every walk of life, every political party, every background, every faith. They come from communities with their own stories and strengths, and that makes the Union all the more powerful because there’s strength in numbers. SEIU members work across the healthcare spectrum providing high quality care and services. They are the workers who keep our nation’s airports running and make sure landmark buildings are clean and secure. They provide essential public services and give a foundation of learning to our youngest and brightest. SEIU members believe in and are fighting for a Just Society where all workers are valued and all people respected—no matter where they come from or what color they are; where all families and communities can thrive; and where we leave a better and more equitable world for generations to come.

PURPOSE: Directs and provides overall leadership to all SEIU political communications and media work to support priorities for growth and improving working families’ lives and communities, to involve members and the public in achieving those goals, to run campaigns that help elect pro-union leaders to office, and to brand SEIU as the national union on key political issues.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: (Any one position may not include all of the specific duties and responsibilities listed.  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.) 

• Directs communications strategy and execution of communications work for SEIU’s political campaigns and initiatives.
• Oversees political communications budget and program that includes earned media, advertising, digital activations, member political communications, research, data, and general communication needs.
• Directs, develops, and drives both proactive and daily rapid response communications focused on winning the public debate over SEIU’s key political campaigns at the national and/or state level, among partners, opinion-makers, and Congress.
• Works with data and research teams to conduct polling and analytical data reviews of on-going campaigns.
• Oversees digital advertising program for SEIU’s electoral and legislative campaigns.
• Serves as primary press contact at national level on political issues and campaigns. Focus includes all print and electronic national media, national columnists, news magazines and shows, Capitol Hill media, commentators. Will also lead other direct communications aimed at opinion-maker audience.
• Supervises other SEIU communications staff and consultants assigned to national level work on political campaigns, and directs SEIU communications staff focused on in-state communications in priority congressional districts, and for state-wide or national elections. Works with the digital team to integrate online strategies and initiatives.
• Directs and coordinates all communications work with electoral coalitions and strategic political partners.

 Overall SEIU Communications: Helps to develop and implement overall SEIU strategy as part of the International union’s communications lead management team.

• Directs strategies and activities to improve the public image and visibility of the labor movement and SEIU and to maintain effective relations with national and local media.

Management and Administration: Coordinates with the Executive Office, political department and field on strategies, budgets, resource allocation, staffing, and other issues.

• Serves as surrogate for the Deputy National Communications Director in a wide variety of settings.
• Serves as part of the senior management team of SEIU’s Communications Department and Political Department.
• Helps manage the Communications Department, including planning, budgeting, and project management, and coordinates with departments and field on those issues.
• Directs vendor management for political communications work.
• Prepares and monitors political communications budget, including budgets for campaigns.
• Directs allocation of staff team resources.
• Directs recruiting, reviewing, and recommending hiring for all political communications staff.
• Directly responsible for retention of political and legislative communications staff, including training, feedback, reviews, skill and career development.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the work of the department.

CONTACTS: Must be able to represent the International Union with local leaders, members, staff, and outside organizations utilizing independent judgment and the highest level of professionalism. Interfaces with highest level organizational and external contacts, including:

• SEIU officers, division leadership, International senior staff, project and program managers, field and organizing directors, local union officers and staff.
• External: news media, politicians, government officials, elites, partners and allies.
• Vendors: consultants, pollsters, freelancers, video and multi-media producers, advertising agencies.
• Ensures that sophisticated choices are made about appropriate vendors and support services.

DIRECTION AND DECISION MAKING: Reports to the Deputy National Communications Director, and works with extreme independence.

• Must have demonstrated ability to manage own work and work of others without supervision.
• Requires a high level of judgment and ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Must use a high level of judgment and discretion in resolving problems within the Communications Department, the division, and throughout SEIU.
• Must maintain the highest level of confidentiality in handling SEIU affairs.
• Must be able to work with International and local union elected leaders and senior staff in complex and sometimes politically sensitive situations.
• Must be able to act and organize time with extreme independence.
• Must be able to handle multiple “priority” projects simultaneously and set and meet deadlines, and ensure that staff team does the same.

 EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s Degree in communications-related field required. Eight or more years of experience in communications or related work, including at least five years managing communications and/or political strategy, planning, and program development; or a combination of education and experience that would provide for the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Experience working in fast paced environments, collaborative and in a digitally native environment.
• Proven track record developing and implementing communications and/or political strategy on a wide range of campaigns, including organizing, contract, political, electoral, and legislative.
• Experience managing community partner relationships, including collaborating on large scale campaigns and events.
• Thorough and extensive knowledge of media relations strategies, including relationships with key political reporters and developing new earned media ideas to amplify the work of SEIU members.
• Thorough knowledge of digital and social media. Knowledge of advertising techniques and familiarity with all aspects of literature, audio-visual, and online production process required.
• Excellent writing, verbal, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to continuously develop knowledge and skills related to use of rapidly changing technology.
• Knowledge of unions or other advocacy organizations.
• Proficient in the use of managing files in cloud-based systems like Google Suite, Slack, or Trello.
• Experience in multilingual communications is a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work is generally performed in an office setting, but job may require work in the field or in other settings to perform the tasks required to complete assignments. Must be available for frequent travel with overnight stays.  Long and irregular hours.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENT: Candidates will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon commencing employment. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for either a) a certain medical condition(s); or b) on the basis of sincerely held strong religious beliefs and practices.

Apply Here

Union Scholars Program

Want to make a difference and earn money for college at the same time?

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the Harvard Labor & Worklife Program present the Union Scholars Program:

Earn up to $6,000 for the school year and a stipend for the summer.

• Join the fight for worker’s rights!
• Learn to organize!
• Change the world!

Application Deadline: February 28

To be eligible you must:

• Be a college sophomore or junior during the application and interview process.
• Have a minimum 2.5 grade point average.
• Be a college student of color, including: African American, American Indian/ Alaskan Native,
• Asian Pacific Islander American, Latino/a.
• Demonstrate interest in working for social and economic justice through the labor movement.
• Have a valid driver’s license.

If you are selected, you will receive:

• 8-week summer field placement to participate in a union organizing campaign in one of several locations across the United States.
• A stipend for the summer (courtesy of Harvard University’s Labor and Worklife Program & the Jerry Wurf Memorial Fund.)
• A week- long orientation and training.
• An academic scholarship of up to $6,000 for the following school year, based on successful performance.

To apply, please visit

afscme.org/unionscholars

For more information contact

Deanna Richards 202-429-1202