General Description
Santa Ana is the county seat of Orange County and is the fourth most densely populated city in the U.S. (with more than 300,000 residents). It is located 10 miles from the coast, with dozens of distinct neighborhoods, including historic areas and homes, and is home to John Wayne Airport (SNA).
The Santa Ana Educators'''' Association UniServ unit represents approximately 2,200 non-management certificated employees of the Santa Ana Unified School District. This is one of the ten largest school districts in California and is experiencing many of the same educational challenges of any large urban community. SAEA''''s chapter office has one full time associate support staff and a full-time released chapter president.
The ideal candidate brings a proven track record in leading strategic contract campaigns, mobilizing community and political alliances, and empowering leaders within a member-led union environment. Also important are experience in negotiating collective bargaining agreements, handling grievances, developing and executing political campaigns, working with locals in communities of varied socio-economic status and the demonstrated ability to advance racial equity and social justice agendas. We are looking for a high-level communicator who keeps colleagues informed and aligned. This role requires a daily, hands-on partnership with elected leaders to jointly strategize and drive the mission forward.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Primary responsibility is to serve as an organizer that develops strong leaders who advocate for themselves, their students and public education.
- Responsibility to assist recruiting and supporting members to lead the union and profession through strategic campaigns that promote the mission of CTA and local affiliates.
- Responsibility to support leaders in developing and implementing strategic organizing plans and to train members and leaders on all aspects of organizing, including the relationship between organizing and power and the importance and effectiveness of relational organizing based one-on-one and small group meetings.
- Responsibility to support and organize local leaders in membership recruitment, retention and engagement campaigns.
- Responsibility to foster coalitions between local chapters, community organizations, other labor unions and organizations.
- Serve as staff resource to local leaders on local programs, including negotiations, contract maintenance, political campaigns and influencing elected officials, organizational capacity building and communication systems, including electronic systems.
- Responsibility to promote and secure the implementation of CTA policies and programs.
- Represent the local chapter''''s position and policies to lay and professional groups.
- Performs other appropriate duties as assigned.
Qualifications - Minimum Required
- Bachelor''''s or higher degree preferred.
- Experience with and broad understanding of labor organizations and/or education-related associations/programs and services at local, state and national levels.
- Demonstrated organizing, negotiating and coordinating skills necessary to recruit members and potential members and successfully complete complex group projects and activities.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with members, leaders, professional groups and/or labor organizations, and staff colleagues.
- Deep understanding of the issues facing the public schools and the education profession.
- Demonstrated support for racial, social, and economic justice; worker''''s rights; and a well-funded public education system.
- Adaptable and flexible. Able to adjust seamlessly and effectively to changing factors and conditions that impact CTA campaigns, projects and other union programs.
- Experience in fast-paced campaigns situations, including contract campaigns, strikes and political campaigns.
- Experience in organizing and campaigning, with relentless drive to proactively surpass campaign/program goals under pressure and with the tenacity to tackle challenges head-on in a dynamic and rapidly changing environment.
- Computer proficiency and the ability to learn and use the Association''''s software programs.
- Ability to communicate clearly, verbally and in writing.
- Ability to work and travel regularly, including evenings and weekends.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver's license.
- This position is in a bargaining unit represented by CSO. Salaries are established by a collective bargaining agreement. Step placement is also determined by the CTA/CSO Agreement.