Delaware State AFL-CIO

Field & Community Engagement Coordinator

Based in Newark, DE

 

POSITION: Field & Community Engagement Coordinator

COMPENSATION: $75,000 – $85,000: Salary will be commensurate with Experience & Qualifications
START DATE: Tentatively October 15, 2025
RESUMES DUE: Preferred by September 30, 2025. Application packages will be accepted and considered until the positions is filled.
COMMITMENT: This position will initially be partially funded through a grant, but it is intended to become a permanent staff-leader role.

THE ORGANIZTION:
The Delaware State AFL-CIO is chartered by the National AFL-CIO and is a coalition of Local Unions throughout Delaware. The organization works to stimulate and coordinate communications and mobilization activity area-wide among affiliated and allies, through a network of community-based Chapters. We focus on supporting the legislative, political, organizing, and solidarity goals of the labor movement locally, statewide, and nationally. We are led by an elected President, and are governed by an Executive Board.

NATURE OF POSITION:
The Field & Community Engagement Coordinator is required to live in the organization’s jurisdiction, operation from a central base and working throughout the area. Specific details on the work and responsibilities of the positions are in the attached position description. This is a partially, grant-funded position. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE & DEADLINE:
By September 30, 2025, complete and submit: 1) Your résumé with Professional and personal references; 2) Two samples of written work projects you personally completed; and 3) Any other relevant materials. Email the complete application package and all required materials to: President@deaflcio.org.

FIELD & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

Position Description
The Field and Community Engagement Coordinator is responsible for implementation of all AFL-CIO activities and programs to advance labors agenda, working under the guidance and supervision of the Delaware State AFL-CIO President. The applicant will also work closely with the members of the DE State AFL-CIO Executive Board and the staffs of both the State and National AFL-CIO.

The Field and Community Engagement Coordinator’s priority assignment will be to develop and enhance labor mobilization throughout the organization’s jurisdiction. The Coordinators role will be able to train, organize, and motivate leaders to help build the DE State AFL-CIO into self-sustaining organization. 

PROGRAM PRIORITES INCLUDE:

• Building Participation in All Organization Priority Activities. Working with unions and community allies, the Coordinator will increase participation in labor-to-labor walks and phone banks, rallies, marches, meetings, and other events. The Coordinator will develop new mobilization structures and enlarge existing ones to expand labor’s ability to create larger, more creative, and more strategic, member turnout for legislative, political, organizing, and solidarity actions. 
• Building a Strong Political Program. The Coordinator shall assist in developing the DE State AFL-CIO, especially with respect to expanding labor’s political power. The Coordinator will work directly with the DE State AFL-CIO and affiliates to implement these plans. This includes moving elected officials toward understanding and directly supporting worker organizing. The Coordinator will work with and train affiliates in developing workplace mobilization structures, e-activist networks, regular newsletters, and other communications systems to better educate and activate union members in support of endorsed candidates and issue campaigns. The Coordinator will work with Chapters and affiliates and will communicate with the Delaware AFL-CIO to conceptualize and construct campaign plans. The Coordinator will oversee overall campaign operations.
• Building Support for Affiliate Organizing. The Coordinator will assist area unions wherever possible in achieving their organizing goals. This may include developing leverage through political, faith groups, and other community allies and other activities that show support to the to the affected workers.
• Coalition and Relationship Building in the Community. The Coordinator will facilitate the development of closer ties and effective working relationships between labor leadership and like-minded community organizations and faith groups. The Coordinator will support the work and expansion of existing ongoing labor-faith-community coalitions, and will assist the organization in building new permanent coalitions where none currently exist. 
• Maintaining and Expanding Web Presence. The Coordinator will maintain or assist in maintaining the DE State AFL-CIO’s social media networks, website, and email list server. The Coordinator will be responsible for regular emails, and maintenance of list servers for the DE State AFL-CIO committees. The Coordinator will create a plan to increase the size of our social networks, as well as create new media content for our campaigns. 

WEEK-TO-WEEK RESPONSIBLITIES INCLUDE:

• Building a Volunteer Base and Communication Network. The Coordinator manages and regularly update the database(s) for outreach to unions, community allies, and individual volunteers, and works to expand it. From the database(s), the applicant creates, maintains, and makes distributions to social networks and broadcast e-mails lists, serving the DE State AFL-CIO. 
• Coordinating Events. The Coordinator often organizes labor-to-labor walks, rallies, pickets, phone banks, marches, and more. The Coordinator must build turnout, assist in agenda preparation, and make sure numerous logistical details are attended to.
• Media and Publications. The Coordinator works with leaders and with staff from the State and National AFL-CIO to make sure that op-ed columns and letters-to-the-editor are written and published, radio and TV interviews granted, arranging for interviews and enlisting appropriate leaders during various struggles and activities. 
• Financial and Reporting Responsibilities. The Coordinator will prepare and submit detailed weekly activity reports to the DE State AFL-CIO President. The Coordinator will identify potential sources of external funding for the DE State AFL-CIO, and will assist in applications and solicitation as needed
• Building Affiliation. Working with the President and the Executive Board, the Coordinator will help plan and assist in increasing the organizations affiliation. As requested, the coordinator will also assist in increasing affiliation with the State Federation. 

NECESSARY SKILLS:
The Coordinator must have a commitment to the labor movement and an understanding of labor's goals. The applicant must be able to advance projects and programs that convey these goals by working with a diverse range of union leaders, members, and community activists in high-pressure situations and under difficult deadlines. The Coordinator must direct the activities of a large organization while following the priorities and work plan set by elected leaders, working independently and demonstrating sound political judgement. 

Excellent verbal communication skills are essential, including the ability to interact successfully with individuals from widely diverse ethnic, racial, age, gender, educational, occupational, and socio- economic backgrounds. Required written communication skills include the ability to produce newsletters, leaflets, basic phone and walk scripts, work plans, and project reports. 

The Coordinator must have a valid driver's license, continuous use of a safe working vehicle, automobile liability insurance, and be willing to travel throughout the organization's jurisdiction on a regular basis. Occasional travel to other parts of the state and/or out-of-state may be necessary. Overnight travel will be infrequent, but may be required. Due to the nature of the Field Coordinator's job, evening and weekend hours will be required. The Field Coordinator is expected to modify their daily or weekly schedule to meet the organization's needs. 

Computer skills are required, including knowledge and extensive use of Microsoft Office Suite and web-based organizing tools such as Action Network, LAN/VAN, and social media platforms.

OTHER EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED INCLUDE:

• Union and/or community organizing;
• Work mobilizing groups and individuals;
• Ability to create and facilitate strategic planning;
• Organizing Events;
• Recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers;
• Group speaking and one-on-one communication abilities;
• Research skills;
• Hands-on-political, issue, and/or organizing campaign experience;
• Grassroots legislative campaign and/or lobbying experience;
• Highly adaptive to changing work needs and ability to work in high pressure environments;
• Physical ability to lift moderately heavy objects, and to stand, sit, and drive for extended periods;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and diplomatically;
• Effective time management skills, including prioritizing and managing multiple tasks;
• Demonstrated experience in developing campaign and personal work plans and goals;
• Willingness to sign and honor an agreement protecting the integrity of union and partner data;

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:

• Bachelors Degree
• Work with union leaders and members in political campaigns
• Bilingual speaking
• Fundraising and Grant writing
• Desktop Publishing

DIVERSITY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
The organization is an equal opportunity employer that actively seeks to build diversity among our officers, staff, and members. Women, people of color, LGBTQ, Veteran, and disabled individuals are fully respected and encouraged in this position and in all opportunities with the organization.