Florida Education Association

Service Unit Director
Escambia Service Unit

Based in Escambia County, FL
(Extensive Travel Required )

 

Job Title: Service Unit Director, Escambia Service Unit
Job Classification: Professional A – FSO Bargaining Unit 
Supervisor: Northern Regional Manager of Organizing and Field Services
Location: Escambia County, FL – Extensive Travel Required 

The Florida Education Association (FEA) is the largest association of professional employees and the largest labor union in the Southeast, representing more than 120,000 members. FEA members include teachers, education staff professionals, higher education faculty and graduate assistants, retirees, education students, and early career educators. FEA represents the professional and working interests of its members and plays a prominent role in shaping state policies that affect public schools. FEA is a merged state association affiliated with both the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

Position Summary: 
The Service Unit Director reports to the Organizing & Field Service Northern Regional Manager and assists in the day-to-day operations and programs of two local associations that are the certified bargaining agents for teachers and for Education Staff Professionals. Assist in coordinating the service operations of the Service Unit and report to the unit’s Coordinating Council. Provide consultation and assistance to elected leaders and members in the areas of bargaining, contract administration/ grievance /arbitration, business management, membership development, leadership and organizational development, internal and external communications, governmental and political advocacy, member and human rights, education reform, and other areas of interest or concern to the organization and its members. Staff are expected to establish and maintain good relationships with the professional and associate staff as well as the teachers and ESP leaders in the Escambia Unit. The Service Unit Director works in the Escambia Service Unit office located in Pensacola, FL. Extensive travel within the county is required, along with some overnight, out-of-county travel for state and regional meetings, conferences, and trainings.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; Master’s degree preferred. 
2. Knowledge of Association work as leader or staff.
3. Successful experience working with teachers and Education Staff Professional locals. (Preferred) 
4. At least two years as local staff or comparable experience.
5. Demonstrated ability in contract maintenance, grievance processing, member representation, and collective bargaining. 
6. Knowledge of the impasse and arbitration processes. 
7. Demonstrated competence in oral and written communications.
8. Experience with and understanding of professional education organization programs and services at local, state, and national levels.
9. Ability to analyze school finance budget information. 
10. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and drive projects independently. 
11. Successful experience multi-task under tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail. 
12. Strong skill in using Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel).
13. Ability to learn new, proprietary software programs.
14. Capacity to work closely with other professional and associate staff. 
15. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Florida driver’s license.

General Responsibilities:

1. Acknowledge and support the advancement of FEA’s vision, mission, and strategic goals.
2. Identify, contribute to, and support new opportunities to advance FEA’s vision, mission, and strategic goals.
3. Perform all work assignments in a manner that effectively and efficiently utilizes FEA resources.
4. Contribute to and support the development and implementation of departmental and interdepartmental programs and services.
5. Perform all duties, responsibilities, and assignments within the guidelines outlined in the FSO/FEA Collective Bargaining Agreement and in accordance with FEA Policies and Procedures.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Monitor and coordinate local association program implementation including communications, training, employee relations, minority concerns, instructional and professional development, membership promotion, political concerns, legislation, etc.
2. Assist with local bargaining and contract enforcement.
3. Provide services to local leaders as required.
4. Plan, participate and present in site based representative training to the extent possible.
5. Conduct regular visits to work sites to meet and advance the training of site leadership.
6. Assist leaders in developing organizing plans and create a system to measure the effectiveness.
7. Assist in local program development, budget, political action/legislative initiatives, and any other areas that the local seeks assistance.
8. Coordinates the Service Unit office pursuant to local policies.
9. Assist with local and program evaluation.
10. Maintain a positive relationship with other organizations and groups within assigned areas.
11. Maintain a continuous positive relationship with local leaders and coordinating council members within the unit.
12. Perform other duties as assigned by the OFS Northern Regional Manager or designee.

Compensation & Benefits: The salary for this position is determined by the negotiated agreement between the Florida Education Association and the Florida Staff Organization based on relevant experience. FEA provides medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term-disability insurance to its employees with no employee premiums. Additionally, FEA provides employer-paid retirement options, annual leave, sick leave, and paid holidays.

How to Apply: 
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and résumé via email to feahr@floridaea.org. Candidates will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Preference will be given to those who apply prior to September 16, 2025.

THE FLORIDA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Consistent with the FEA Affirmative Action Plan, minority, female, and physically challenged applicants are encouraged to apply. Please contact FEA’s Office of Human Resources at 850-201-2814 or feahr@floridaea.org to request an accommodation during the application process.