Political Director

SEIU Local 521

Political Director

Based in San Jose, CA

SEIU Local 521 was founded in 2007 when 5 local unions came together in the Bay Area, Central Coast and Central Valley to form one larger, more powerful union. Together our members are building a true 21st century union fighting to empower and improve the lives of our members. We represent over 50,000 public service workers in cities, counties, courts, schools, private non-profits, special districts, and public health care.

AT SEIU LOCAL 521: Our mission is to provide our members with a voice in the workplace, in their union and in the larger community. Through our actions, we intend to create a more just and humane society. We are committed to protecting and improving the lives of workers and their families. We will work to improve and protect the services we provide to our communities. We believe that by working together as a united front, we can win better contracts and build industry power in our region.

Political Director works under direction of the Chief of Organizing. The ideal candidate for the position will have senior level leadership experience in legislative or political organizing campaigns with a labor union or association, non-profit community organization or progressive elective official. She/he will be an experienced manager with the ability to effectively manage a group of staff and will possess the capacity to work collaboratively with a diverse staff and stakeholders

RESPONSIBILITIES: All duties listed are required and not limited to but may or may not be continuously performed or ongoing at any specific time. 

• Build political support for strategic organizing and bargaining campaigns of the local.
• Oversee all aspects of the union's political program, including GOTV, voter registration, candidate interviews, endorsements, legal reporting, internal communications and political reporting requirements.
• Create and oversee the Local's political plan and budget.
• Coordinate the Committee on Political Education so that the union's members lead the Local's political program,
• Participate in the staff leadership team in guiding the Local's direction in accordance with the plan set by the elected Executive Board.
• Coordinate the union's political program with those of the area labor councils and the SEIU International and State Council.
• Lobbying elected officials to gain their support for our issues.
• Working with Local leadership to develop and implement public policy and political advocacy strategies in various counties and municipalities where Local 521 represents members.
• Working with the International Union to coordinate the Local's political activities and plans with those of the International Union at the Federal, State and Local levels.
• Working with the Local leadership, directors, and field staff to coordinate political field activities, lobby visits, phone banking and events for our public policy campaigns at the city, county, state and federal level.
• Coordinating political messaging and engagement strategies with the union's member communications staff.
• Identifying and developing members for potential elected and appointed political or community positions.
• Providing support to representational staff for recruitment, training, leadership development and coordination of member political activists for political fundraising and mobilization for electoral and issue campaigns.
• Planning and implementing the electoral program for local, state and federal elections.
• Supporting contracts and organizing campaigns by integrating political strategy into the campaign planning, including rallies, press events, legislative opportunities and other targeted political activity.
• Building the union's capacity through support of the Local and SEIU's COPE program and other grassroots political fundraising drives.
• Coordinating the union's political work with the SEIU State Council and other labor and community allies.
• Working with Local leadership to identify community, political and civic organizations with whom the Local shares values and interests and develop and implement outreach and engagement with those allies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least five years' experience in political and/or advocacy work with progressive Willingness and ability to travel including overnight travel and assignments.
• Computer literacy and a willingness and ability to learn the organization's technology tools.
• Strong personal planning, motivation, and time management skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment.
• High level ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish, maintain rapport and work in mutually beneficial coalitions with widely varied ethnic, social and philosophical groups.
• Ability to work under pressure and with minimal supervision.
• Ability to plan strategically, follow a plan and be accountable to a team in carrying out a plan.
• Dedication to building power for workers and a willingness to participate in a wide field of activities towards that objective.
• Freedom and willingness to work irregular and long hours and attend required evening and weekend meetings.
• Established relationships with community organizations in Local 521 preferred areas.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in diverse communities and individuals
• Ability to work independently as well as on a team

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Must possess a valid California driver’s license; must pass a DMV check and have a good driving record; must have auto insurance that covers business driving (minimum of $100,000 per person/$300,000 per incident bodily injury liability/$100,000 property coverage); and must possess an automobile for business use.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Salary commensurate with experience ($136,115.49 – $150,442.30). SEIU Local 521 employees enjoy top notch benefits including fully employer-paid family health, dental and vision insurance; a generous leave package; fully employer-paid defined benefit pension plan; 401(K); flexible savings accounts for annual health and childcare expenses; $200,000 life insurance plan; and other benefits outlined in the policies of SEIU 521.

APPLY:

This position is open until filled; however, the posting/acceptance of applications may close at any time.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
Local 521 is an affirmative action employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. Local 521 works to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforces policies against discrimination and sexual harassment.

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