SEIU Local 32BJ

Capital Area District Grievance Representative
or Lead Grievance Representative

Based in Washington, DC

 

ABOUT US
At the forefront of building the nation’s labor movement, 32BJ SEIU is changing the narrative around important social and economic issues facing working families. Founded in 1934, 32BJ is the largest union of property service workers in the nation. We have a powerful and important mission: to build and grow a diverse, effective, politically independent and democratic organization of workers to change our lives for the better, improve our communities, and build a more just society for present and future generations.

With a commitment to building power for low-wage workers, 32BJ is engaged in winning strong contracts for members, organizing workers, supporting progressive candidates for elected office and moving a broad policy agenda, such as immigrant justice, organizing rights, affordable housing, increasing minimum wages, and expanding access to health care.

The Union has approximately 450 staff in sixteen offices from Boston to Miami. 32BJ SEIU represents over 185,000 property service workers including janitors, security officers, airport workers, and food service employees in eleven states and Washington, DC. 32BJ is an affiliate of SEIU, the Service Employees International Union, which has two million members dedicated to raising industry standards and making life better for all working families and communities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Grievance Representative is based in Washington, DC and is responsible for administering and enforcing collective bargaining agreements within the Capital Area District (covering Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia). The Grievance Representative plays a key role in protecting members’ rights under their contracts by investigating and resolving grievances, preparing and presenting cases, and negotiating with employers. This position works closely with Union Representatives, Member Leaders, and management counterparts to ensure fair treatment of members and uphold the integrity of the union’s agreements. 

We are hiring for either a Grievance Representative or Lead Grievance Representative role, depending on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conduct intake interviews with union members.
• Lead investigatory and grievance meetings, including in-person meetings as necessary.
• Review and interpret multiple collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) to identify issues and potential contract violations.
• File grievances and investigate assigned cases, ensuring accurate issue assessment, timely documentation, and contract enforcement.
• Represent members at grievance hearings; coach and prepare members to effectively share their experiences.
• Collaborate with Union Representatives and Member Leaders throughout the grievance process.
• Negotiate resolutions with employers and management, ensuring alignment with CBA language and union standards.
• Partner with field organizers to identify grievance trends and support the development of proactive solutions to systemic issues.
• Accurately maintain the grievance case management system (CRM), including notes, status updates, escalations, settlements, and case closures in accordance with contractual deadlines.
• Build and sustain strategic working relationships with management counterparts to achieve positive outcomes for members and the union.

Additional responsibilities for Lead Grievance Representative level:

• Supervise and support Grievance Representatives within the Capital Area District.
• Oversee the overall performance and operations of the Capital Area District Grievance team.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The ideal candidate will bring experience working in a labor union environment and a demonstrated commitment to social and economic justice. While no single candidate will meet all criteria, strong candidates will possess many of the following qualifications:

• Proven ability to organize, manage, and prioritize work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment—both independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrated experience advocating for working people or advancing social justice causes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook, with the ability to learn and utilize union-specific digital tools (e.g., field app, database/CRM).
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) proficiency preferred, both verbal and written.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
This is a full-time, office-based position that requires regular travel to worksites and participation in events, marches, and demonstrations. The role may involve working outside of regular business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed to meet the demands of the position.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary for Grievance Representative is $66,829 and Lead Grievance Representative is $99,420. 

32BJ offers a generous benefits package that includes a $200 per week car stipend or a $75 per week transit stipend, full employer-paid medical, dental and vision plan (for full-time employees and their qualified dependents) and retirement benefits, including a defined benefit pension plan and 401K. 32BJ offers paid time off including three weeks’ vacation, eleven holidays, twelve sick days and four personal days. The union currently offers a remote work policy of one remote day per week at the discretion of the manager. 

APPLICATION
If interested, email a résumé and letter of interest to HR@seiu32bj.org. Please use “CAD Grievance Representative” in the subject line of your email.

32BJ is an inclusive and diverse organization, committed to advocating for social, racial and economic justice. We promote diversity and strongly encourage applications from people who believe in our mission. We strongly encourage women and people of color to apply.

For more information on 32BJ SEIU, visit www.seiu32bj.org.