Summary: The Leaders in Action Organizer works as part of a team, within the Member Programs & Participation Department, dedicated to leadership development and member engagement. These newly created positions will focus on building member strength among facility-based long-term care workers: in nursing homes, adult-day health and other jobs. The assigned work is throughout Washington state.

Job Description

• Central/SE region. Turf: Central, and Southeast counties of Washington state, with greatest density of members and employers in the Yakima Valley and Tri Cities. Special qualifications:  Not required, but recruiting for bilingual fluency in English and Spanish.

• Western WA. Turf: Western counties of Washington state, with greatest density of members and employers in King and Pierce counties. Special qualifications:  Not required, but recruiting for bilingual fluency in English and Vietnamese, Somali, Korean or Russian.

SEIU Healthcare 775NW is a fast-growing union committed to uniting the strength of long term care workers and improving the lives of working people.

Organizers help engage workers, develop workers’  leadership skills, mobilize workers around issues and politics, and carry out the goals of the union.  Organizers mentor, coach, teach, and foster the talents of our members, who are low-wage home care, nursing home and adult day health workers.

While previous experience in union or community organizing is highly desirable, there is no hard and fast pre-requisite to start a career as an organizer. This position does not include responsibilities for contract enforcement or negotiations (these union activities are conducted by a separate team of specialists). Experience with the following types of employers is highly significant: social justice organizations, labor unions, progressive issue advocacy organizations, community and social service organizations, political campaigns and elected officials. Preference will be given to candidates who have completed the SEIU “Wave” training program, New Organizing Institute or other formal training programs for organizers.

Women and people of color strongly encouraged to apply. Fluency in languages in addition to English (see location requirements) is a plus.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Personal commitment to the mission and goals of SEIU Healthcare 775NW (see www.seiu775.org and www.seiu.org).

• A valid drivers’ license, a working automobile, and automobile insurance.

• A cell phone with NW regional coverage.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.  

• Basic computer literacy and a willingness and ability to learn the organization’s technology tools.

• Willingness to work long, irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, is required, including  overnight travel and assignments.

• Willingness and ability to travel, including frequent travel within the assigned turf and occasional travel throughout WA and other locations, including overnight.

• Strong personal planning , motivation, and time management skills and ability to work with people from other cultures and backgrounds.

• The ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment are considered key components to achieving organizer performance standards.

• The organizer must reside within the assigned turf.

SEIU Healthcare 775NW is committed to providing staff development opportunities and resources. We recognize that the majority of an organizer’s skill development happens through on the job experience, especially in the first year of employment. This position has advancement opportunities to a Senior Organizer position.

Compensation: Salary and benefits set by collectively bargained contract; pay ranges from $38,850- $50,000 annually (actual offer based on experience).  Benefits include fully employer-paid family health benefits & defined benefit pension, generous leave package, car allowance, cell phone reimbursement, and other benefits.

How to Apply:  

Submit cover letter, résumé with salary history, and three references  with current contact information (including at least two employment references) to:  jobs@seiu775.org.  Please reference Organizer:NH on your résumé and email subject line. See www.seiu775.org for more information, especially about leader roles and member participation.