Organizer

Who We Are:

The Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE), AFSCME Council 28, has a long history of fighting for workers’ rights and employee benefits while tackling social justice issues with passion and energy. The WFSE has been operating in the state capital for over 80 years fighting for fairness and equality. We ensure hard-working public service workers get better pay, health care, retirement, and a healthy work environment. There is more to accomplish, and we believe we can accomplish it with the right personnel. Come join our team and be part of a larger mission that will make an impact for years to come. Learn more about who we are at: wfse.org.

What We are Looking For:

The Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is recruiting to fill a vacancy for an Organizer position located in our Organizing Department.  This position leads, trains and mentors campaign staff and member leaders in external campaigns. Organizers develop written campaign plans, campaign reports, conduct research, analyze data, and apply other criteria to assess potential organizing targets and viable campaigns. Organizers are critical to the success of the WFSE and initiating or expanding union organizing campaigns by building lists of employees at targeted worksites; facilitating one-on-one meetings with workers; identifying worker issues; and moving them to take collective action; gathering and tracking campaign data; developing and implementing the campaign strategy; planning and leading campaign meetings. The Organizer conducts union election and card check organizing by confirming majority support, maintaining support during adversarial employer activities, and works to guarantee a successful outcome. The Organizer will lead, assign, and collaborate with other organizing staff and member leaders including developing individual work plans and debriefing their implementation. Organizers will effectively collaborate with WFSE staff in other departments to conduct the campaign and help ensure their transition post certification to being represented.

The Organizer will plan and implement union outreach events and activities to promote our union and union values to unorganized workers through leafletting, email, phone calls, home visits, worksite contact and through member leaders. This position works on identifying potential union leaders and activists to lead the organizing efforts to help with outreach to co-workers. Develops effective, representative organizing committees of unrepresented workers to direct and operationalize all aspects of organizing efforts. Must have a valid driver’s license, use of personal vehicle, and valid vehicle insurance. Other duties as assigned.

Additional duties include:

• Creates phone banks in the VAN for campaigns.
• Responsible for tracking, documenting, and maintaining accurate worker lists in Excel, VAN or other databases as needed.
• Effectively and persuasively communicate organizing campaign messages in written communications to help promote turnout for events, meetings, or other campaign related materials.
• Builds strategic alliances and relationships within the broader community.

Required Qualifications:

• Education in, or has experience with, labor unions, labor or community organizing, and basic organizing principles to win elections or move people into action.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, by reading, writing and communicating
• The ability to give and receive feedback about their work, campaign, or organizing strategies to improve and lead to a successful outcome.
• The ability to present information and speak clearly to groups of varying
• Experience solving problems by analyzing and interpreting
• Pro union and commitment to the values of worker organization and
• Interest and curiosity about public services and the people who provide them and their vital importance to the State of Washington.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, use of personal vehicle, and valid vehicle insurance.
• Desire and commitment to growing the union at WFSE and to helping state and higher education workers lives better through union membership.

Desirable Qualification:

• Successful record of winning NLRB/PERC elections or card
• Ability to develop effective winning strategies using power analysis and strategic campaign
• Knowledgeable about state government operations and services and the workers that provide them.
• Three (3) years’ experience of external union
• Must be able to collaborate independently with elected leaders in complex political and local union

Special Note:

It is expected that selected candidates live within commuting distance of their assigned work location and live within Washington state. This position is eligible for overtime and may be required to work some weekends.  Travel is normally limited to the assigned area of responsibility.  Must have a valid driver’s license, use of personal vehicle, and valid vehicle insurance. A motor vehicle report and a background check will be conducted as a condition of employment. Benefits include 12 paid holidays, annual and sick leave, $150 monthly cell phone allowance, $400 monthly vehicle allowance, medical/dental, life, and long-term disability insurance, personal holidays, and more.  The salary range is $76,956 to $89,782 and will be determined commensurate along with experience.

How to Apply:

To be considered for this position(s), applicants must submit a resume, letter of interest, and at least three (3) professional references to:  resumes@wfse.org. Your letter of interest should clearly explain how your experience, training, and education make you a viable and competitive candidate for this position.

This position is open until filled; however, it is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.

 The Washington Federation of State Employees is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and equal access in a non-discriminatory manner to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, creed, color, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, national origin, political affiliation, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any real or perceived sensory, mental, or physical disability.
 
Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or for an alternative format may contact the Human Resource Manager, Tiffany Wright, at (360) 339-5159 or tiffanyw@wfse.org.  Persons with disability or those who are deaf or hard of hearing can call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388. The WFSE complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the Federal Form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.