Organizer (Primarily External)

Illinois Nurses Association

Organizer
(Primarily External)

Based in Illinois

Job Title: Organizer (Primarily External)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Effective Date: October 3, 2025
Last Revised: October 3, 2026
Location: Statewide

Summary
Join the Illinois Nurses Association, a democratic independent union, and join a team working to bring justice to healthcare workers and workplaces across the state. INA is hiring an Organizer with a focus on external organizing to build power for nurses and healthcare workers to transform healthcare in Illinois. Working under the leadership of their supervisor, the organizer is responsible for all aspects of running external union organizing efforts. Candidates must be dedicated to the labor movement, with a proven track record of working with and motivating workers in a labor union context, and willing to work hard to win justice.

Duties and Responsibilities: 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: 

1. Responsible for carrying out all aspects of external organizing campaigns to expand the Illinois Nurses Association by helping non-union healthcare workers win union representation and by developing sustainable pipelines for new organizing.
2. Works with current INA members to build an external organizing program that trains and mobilizes members to assist in new organizing efforts. This includes preparing members to conduct organizing conversations, developing organic relationships at non-union facilities, and organizing events and outreach efforts designed to connect with non-union healthcare workers interested in unionizing.
3. Engages directly with non-union healthcare workers who contact INA seeking support to build a union at their workplace. Conducts regular one-on-one organizing conversations; provides coaching, mentoring, and training; helps workers identify leaders and build organizing committees; develops workplace lists and assessments; and works collaboratively with the Lead Organizer to create strategic campaign plans, timelines, and campaign materials.
4. Identifies, researches, and assesses potential organizing targets and industry trends to inform external growth strategy.
5. Designs and implements creative lead-generation programs to expand INA’s reach, including digital outreach, member-to-member organizing pipelines, community engagement, professional events, and other innovative recruitment strategies.
6. Must be able to conduct effective organizing conversations that move workers from interest to action and build majority support for unionization.
7. Educates non-union healthcare workers on union rights, labor law, and the process of forming a union, including NLRB elections, voluntary recognition, and other paths to representation.
8. Prepares leaflets, digital content, training materials, and campaign communications for external organizing drives.
9. Works closely with INA leadership and organizing staff to plan and execute strategic external growth campaigns aligned with the union’s long-term vision.
10. Maintains current knowledge of healthcare industry trends, labor law, and organizing best practices relevant to external growth.
11. If and when assigned, assists Staff Specialists and organizers in implementing INA’s Internal Organizing Model within existing and/or newly formed bargaining units.
12. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 
Required Education, Skills and Abilities

• At least three years of union organizing experience. Organizing experience in healthcare is a plus.
• Strong writing, research and communication skills. Bachelor’s Degree preferred. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate labor union members and potential members.
• Strong commitment to the labor movement. 
• Demonstrated skill as an organizer in the field. 
• Ability to work cooperatively with a wide variety of individuals in a high-pressure environment. 
• Ability to understand and apply established standards and policies and utilize sound reasoning to quickly and effectively resolve problems.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Ability to focus attention on detailed tasks and activities, manage and coordinate a variety of tasks, and effectively prioritize work.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, and reach while performing daily duties.
• Ability to lift and/or carry up to twenty pounds.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly.
• Must have valid driver’s license and insurance. 

Work Environment: 

1. Normal office environment.
2. Routine travel via automobile, train, or airplane.

This is a salaried, exempt position covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Salary scale starts at approximately $60k with competitive benefits; staff union is currently in contract negotiations and starting pay may increase. 

People of color, women, LGBTQ+ and healthcare professionals are encouraged to apply.

TO APPLY: 
Please submit résumé to Executive Assistant/Office Manager Christian Del Rio ( View email address on unionjobs.com ) with the subject line “ Organizer position ” and indicate where you found the job listing.

If you receive an interview please be prepared to provide three references showing relevant work experience and character.

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