University Professional & Technical Employees
CWA Local 9119

Political Director

Based in Sacramento, Los Angeles, or SF Bay Area, CA

 

Job Title: Political Director
Location: Sacramento, CA, Los Angeles, or SF Bay Area
Management
Starting Salary: Dependent on Experience

University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE-CWA 9119) is searching for a talented, hard-working individual committed to building a powerful and democratic union. The successful candidate for this position will be values-driven, self-motivated and resourceful, with the skills, experience, and enthusiasm to develop the Union’s member-led legislative, electoral, and community relations activities throughout California. This position works with staff and leadership in the overall development and implementation of UPTE’s strategic, organizational plans, while embracing UPTE’s principles, values, and culture.

UPTE-CWA represents more than 18,000 employees working in healthcare, research and technical jobs at the University of California, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, Lawrence Livermore Lab and Los Alamos National Lab as well as adjunct faculty at Butte Community College, College of Sequoias and Mount San Jacinto Community College. We represent a diverse workforce all over California and are working to build member power and grow engagement in the politics that directly affect our members.

DUTIES:

• Develop and implement the Union’s political and community organizing strategies, advancing the Union’s political and policy priorities and building the Union’s power.
• Responsible for designing and executing UPTE-CWA’s state legislative and political strategy in the state of California
• Work with Systemwide Director to develop goals and execute plans for members participation in candidate interviews, lobby days, town hall meetings, elected official accountability activities, voter registration drives, vote-by-mail and GOTV activities;
• Lead or develop Labor and Community coalitions around key issues or strategic initiatives. Design and drive public pressure campaigns as assigned.
• Develop relationships with key local and state allies, legislators, key office holders and their staff, other unions and progressive organizations.
• Develop and grow UPTE’s Political Action Fund (PAF) with a goal of exceeding 10% membership participation, present at member meetings, schedule PAC meetings, train and mentor staff and member activists to help achieve political goals;
• Track and support increased member participation using various database functions;
• Develop and lead campaign and legislative meetings
• Build and support UPTE-CWA’s Legislative & Political (L&P) committee
• Responsible for monitoring and lobbying on legislation as it pertains to UPTE-CWA members and affiliates and bringing information forward to the L&P committee to develop recommendations to bring forward to the systemwide executive board
• Develop and track state budgets.
• Monitors political and legislative developments in order to make recommendations for engagement and involvement. Evaluates political campaigns (candidate, legislative and ballot measures at the local, state and federal level) and facilitate UPTE-CWA’s endorsement process when applicable
• Provide support to internal organizing staff for the recruitment, training, leadership development and coordination of member political activists for political fundraising, electoral campaigns and lobbying
• Work with staff and members to integrate political strategy into planning for contract and organizing campaigns.
• Prepare and/or support the creation of member education materials;
• Develop members to represent UPTE-CWA’s interests in Central Labor Councils, constituency groups, and community organizations, in their region.
• Empower the membership to build effective advocacy relationships with elected officials, community partners, and other stakeholders; and,
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum of three years legislative, political organizing, or campaign experience with a labor union, state or local agency or association, non-profit community organization or progressive elected official
• Experience with a union COPE or PAF program development and implementation
• Thorough knowledge of state legislative and budget processes
• Knowledge of professional campaigns including media, research, field, communications and GOTV programs
• Ability to craft and implement electoral and legislative plans.
• Advanced understanding of the state’s ballot initiative process and campaigning is critical, as is awareness of federal, state and local campaign finance regulations.
• Superior oral and written communication skills
• Ability to travel and willing to work long hours and weekends, as needed;
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to motivate, lead, build strong working relationships and hold others accountable;
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to creating a positive work environment that encourages personal responsibility, initiative and innovation;
• Self-motivated, great attitude and strong team player;
• Strong sense of professionalism and integrity;
• Proven ability to work with diverse group of people, from union members to union staff and leaders to elected officials to other community and issue stakeholders;
• Thorough knowledge of MS Office programs;
• Previous experience in speech writing, media work, and other communication/public relations fields is highly desirable; and,
• Fluency in a second language is desirable.

Compensation: Starting salary range of $115,000 – $130,000 commensurate with experience, and an excellent benefits package including a generous employer retirement contribution, all university holidays, auto allowance, and flexible work arrangements.

To Apply:
Send to: jobs@upte-cwa.org

Please include the following:

• A résumé with the months and years of employment for each position.
• A cover letter addressing your qualifications and ability to carry out the duties of the position as described above.

Position open until filled.