Organizer / Lead Organizer

Illinois Nurses Association

Organizer / Lead Organizer

Based in Illinois

Job Title: Organizer / Lead Organizer
FLSA Status: Exempt
Effective Date: July 13, 2026
Last Revised: October 3, 2025
Location: Entire State of Illinois

Summary
Join the Illinois Nurses Association, a democratic independent healthcare workers’ union, and join a team working to bring justice to healthcare workplaces across the state. INA is hiring Organizers to build power for healthcare workers and transform healthcare in Illinois. Working under the direction of their supervisor, the Organizer is responsible for all aspects of running internal and 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. Organizers must be self-motivated, organized, and willing to work hard to win justice. Candidates will be considered for Lead Organizer position based on experience.

Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• In collaboration with Staff Specialists and supervisors, implements INA’s Internal Organizing Model in various bargaining units in order to build and maintain organization, participation, education and power within the local bargaining unit.
• Must be able to assess and evaluate potential organizing targets; initiate direct contact with unorganized workers, identify and develop leadership, conduct house visits, map out workplaces, carry out the strategy of our organizing campaigns, and work closely with INA leadership to conduct organizing drives and representation elections.
• Must be able to have an organizing conversation that moves workers to take action.
• Educate members on what it is to be a union member, their legal rights and how to win change by organizing together. Assists in the development and implementation of educational activities such as the INA Membership Assembly and any other programming to be developed. 
• Maintains a current knowledge of healthcare, labor and legal trends relative to labor relations. 
• Prepare leaflets and other written materials as directed for distribution for both internal and external organizing campaigns. 
• Visit workers at their jobs sites and homes and other interactions with workers. 
• Work closely with INA leadership to plan and carry out strategic campaign plans. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications: 

1. Minimum of 3 years organizing experience in a labor context. Strike and contract campaign experience is a plus. 
2. Bachelor’s Degree preferred, but not necessary.
3. Ability to lead and motivate workers. 
4. Previous experience with the use of databases and other computer hardware and software, including Microsoft Office Suite in the performance of work-related tasks.
5. Analytical skills necessary to accurately understand, interpret, and act on moderately complex information and data.
6. Interpersonal communication skills necessary to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, to a wide variety of individuals and audiences, particularly when describing or explaining collective bargaining and labor relations information.
7. Ability to work cooperatively with a wide variety of individuals from different backgrounds and cultures, consistently demonstrate a supportive, helpful approach when working with others, and consistently demonstrate the flexibility to lead or follow as various situations demand. 
8. Ability to understand and apply established standards and policies and utilize sound reasoning to quickly and effectively resolve problems. 
9. Ability to operate standard office equipment such as a telephone, copier, fax machine, postage machine, computer and computer printer. 
10. Ability to focus attention on detailed tasks and activities, manage and coordinate a variety of tasks, and effectively prioritize work for maximum efficiency and productivity. 
11. Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, and reach while performing daily duties. Ability to lift and/or carry up to twenty pounds. 
12. Self-motivated and willing to work long and irregular hours. 
13. Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
14. Must have a valid driver’s license and a vehicle within one month of start date.

Work Environment

1. Normal office environment.
2. Routine travel via automobile and train.

Pay and benefits are competitive. 

This is a salaried, exempt position covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Salary scale starts at approximately $58k with competitive benefits but staff union is currently in contract negotiations and this amount will likely be increased shortly. 

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 .