POSITION: Field Coordinator – Michigan AFL-CIO
COMPENSATION: $30,000 – $45,000
Benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement benefits. The Michigan AFL-CIO also offers paid vacation and sick time.
START DATE: ASAP
APPLICATION DUE: March 13, 2020 (rolling interviews, positions remain open until filled)
LOCATION: Multiple positions primarily located in:
- Metro Detroit
- Lansing
- Flint/Saginaw
- Marquette
THE ORGANIZATION:
The Michigan AFL-CIO is a chartered organization of the National AFL-CIO, which represents affiliates and central labor bodies across Michigan. The Michigan AFL-CIO works to advocate for pro-labor policies in the state legislature, and works to build power to working families through various campaigns and other organizing efforts. 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 elected Executive Boards.
NATURE OF POSITION:
The Field Coordinators are based in various field offices across the state and report directly to the Campaigns Director at the Michigan AFL-CIO in Lansing. Field Coordinators are responsible for the implementation of all AFL-CIO activities and programs to advance labor’s agenda. They will also work closely with the Presidents of either their Central Labor Council (CLC) or Area Labor Federation (ALF) within the jurisdiction they are assigned.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Increasing Member 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 ALF/CLC Affiliation. The Coordinator will help plan and assist in outreach to locals that could be affiliated with the CLC/ALF.
- Building a Stronger Political Program. The Coordinator will help to advance labor’s political agenda in the region by helping (as necessary) affiliates to develop stronger workplace mobilization structures, e-activist networks, regular newsletters, and other communications systems that will better educate and activate union members in support of endorsed candidates and issue campaigns.
- Campaign Development. As necessary, the Coordinator will conceptualize and construct campaign plans including the drafting of the campaign budget, work plan, and overall timeline. The Coordinator will also oversee campaign operations, while coordinating the integration and assignment of the organization’s resources for simultaneous campaigns.
- 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.
- Support for Affiliate Organizing. When other priorities permit, at the request of affiliates, the Coordinator will assist them in achieving their organizing goals. Such support could include training for volunteer organizers; creating an organizer’s roundtable; facilitating sharing of resources for home visits; and building a pool of multi-language organizers.
QUALIFICATIONS
The Coordinator must have a commitment to the labor movement and an understanding of labor’s goals. They are encouraged to be a Union member or become a member and remain so while employed by the AFL-CIO. They must be able to advance projects and programs that convey these goals by working with union leaders, members, and community activists in high-pressure situations and under difficult deadlines. The Coordinator must direct the activities listed above while following the priorities and work plan determined by the Michigan AFL-CIO.
Excellent verbal communication skills are essential, including the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse ethnic, racial, age, gender, educational, occupational, and socio-economic backgrounds. The popular / labor education skills necessary to design and lead workshops aimed at leadership and volunteer development are very important. Required written communication skills include the ability to produce newsletters, leaflets, basic phone and walk scripts, work plans, and project reports. Specific training and/or demonstrated experience in preparing for and conducting media events and managing relationships with media outlets is necessary.
The Coordinator must have a valid driver’s license, continuous use of a reliable, union-made, vehicle, automobile liability insurance, and be willing to travel throughout the region over which the position’s funding organizations have 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. Long work hours, some holiday work, and frequent participation in evening and weekend activities are required, and attendance at early morning events will be expected.
Computer skills are required, including knowledge and extensive use of email, MS Word, the Internet, Excel, LAN/VAN, and social media, with a working knowledge of PowerPoint. Beyond these technical skills are the people and organizational skills required to carry out the priorities outlined above.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE & DEADLINE:
By March 13, 2020, complete and submit a cover letter and resume to Beth Kelly, Campaigns Director, at bkelly@miaflcio.org.
DIVERSITY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
Our organization is an equal opportunity employer, and we actively seek to build diversity among our officers, staff, and members. Women, people of color, LGBTQ, Veteran, and disabled candidates are encouraged to apply.
