Statewide Organizing Specialist for Northern Virginia

Job Description

Job Description

The Virginia Education Association (VEA) is seeking applicants for a statewide Organizer who will be based in Northern Virginia. VEA is the largest union of teachers and school support professionals working for the betterment of public education for every student in the Commonwealth. VEA is the state affiliate of the National Education Association with more than 3.2 million members. See our website at

Position and Area Description:

Provide strategic leadership, planning, resources, and direct assistance to:

• advance statewide solidarity, coordination, and power building
• link statewide organizing, bargaining, and political campaigns to local initiatives that connect members to the life of the union
• strengthen local organizing, including membership growth and rank and file leadership development. 

This position is based in Northern Virginia . This position requires approximately 40% - 50% travel to local affiliates in Virginia.

Essential Qualifications:

• Minimum of a B.A. or B.S. degree preferred; equivalent of education and work experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated skills in developing strategies to foster positive change
• Successful work experience in public schools or associations advocating for public schools
• Experience with the bargaining process and its components
• Knowledge of rank and file organizing and mobilizing principles and ability to develop and implement comprehensive organizing plans that include rank and file leadership development, data analysis, messaging, power analysis, and benchmarks and assessments 
• Ability to listen and influence across multiple stakeholders and promote intercultural dialogue and organizing 
• Experience utilizing data for targeting and developing bargaining and organizing campaigns 
• Experience with bargaining for the common good and open bargaining strategies 
• Facilitation, training, and presentation skills including ability to train members and leaders
• Understanding of and commitment to a vision of a labor movement that advances social, racial, and economic justice and a common good agenda 
• Ability to establish and maintain successful working relationships and teams with staff, leaders, and members 
• Proficiency with MS Word and Excel; experience with Power Point, VAN, and Hustle preferred 
• Effective writing and communication skills 
• Ability to work well under a tight deadline and in a team environment 

Core Job Functions:

• Support organizing and membership growth of local affiliates throughout the state.
• Collaborate with and serve as a resource to leaders, members, and staff in the planning and implementation of local capacity-building including internal organizing, new unit organizing, issue organizing, membership sign-up and retention, leadership identification and development, power mapping, engaging marginalized constituencies, and advancing a common good agenda 
• Create organizing and capacity-building programs, in collaboration with UniServ Directors, including trainings and events focused on achieving bargaining and internal organizing
• Collaborate with UniServ Directors and Organizing Specialists to implement strategic and coordinated bargaining campaigns and link local bargaining and issues to statewide campaigns 
• Partner with UniServ Directors to establish robust systems for membership sign-up, new hire orientation, building communication networks based on 1:1 contact, and collection and tracking of data to connect members to the life of the union 
• Partner with UniServ Directors and locals to develop organizing plans for bargaining, issue campaigns, membership recruitment and engagement, and leadership identification and development with clear goals, strategies, and benchmarks 
• Develop proficiency for use of technology and applications to enhance organizing, targeting, and member communication and recruitment, including NEA360, the VAN, and Hustle 

Salary/Fringe Benefits

This position is covered by the Virginia Professional Staff Association (VPSA) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and has a salary range of $81,949--$114,138. 

The position also includes a rich fringe benefits package, including:

• 95% of employer-paid medical insurance,
• 100% covered employee-level dental and vision and
• 100% employer-funded Health Reimbursement Arrangement account for medical and wellness expenses.
• 18% automatic contribution to 401k with an additional 2% match

The Virginia Education Association is committed to building a diverse team that reflects our membership and the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those from underrepresented backgrounds