Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges

Position Description

Union (Internal) Organizer

Purpose of Class:

The Union Organizer is responsible for representing members on community college campuses. The Union Organizer motivates members to protect their rights and to improve the quality of their working lives. This 4Cs staff member will assist local and state leaders with duties that include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting meetings, trainings, and other events vital to the active work of a college campus union chapter, thereby empowering members in the workplace;
• Traveling between campuses as assigned to serve members;
• Handling grievances, arbitrations, and mediations;
• Identifying issues and problems of concern to a diverse union membership, and doing so with sensitivity and compassion;
• Advocating strategically for members and doing so passionately when required;
• Engaging members to support the union’s political program at the state and national levels;
• Mobilizing members to engage in direct action in support of their own interests, and in furtherance of the interests of their students, their communities, and their various organized labor and social justice partners;
• Identifying campus union leaders and promoting the development of future campus union leaders;
• Organizing members to assist with all of the above;
• Periodic evening and weekend work is required.

Supervisory and Other Relationships:

The Union Organizer reports to the 4Cs president. In addition, the position involves extensive cooperative and collaborative work with other 4Cs staff, local and state officers, members at large, community college and System Office personnel, and others.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• The ability to work with diverse higher education professionals in various stages of their careers;
• Written and oral communication skills sufficient for interaction with higher education professionals;
• The ability to interpret relevant special bodies of knowledge (contract, labor law, State of Connecticut pension and health care plan regulations, etc.)
• The ability to listen closely, while reserving any judgment, and to frame issues;
• The ability to research, gather, and interpret information and evidence;
• The ability to make persuasive arguments in a variety of settings, using multiple modalities;
• The ability to advocate and negotiate, both formally and informally;
• Information technology literacy skills;
• Planning and organizing abilities--in individual, team, and coalition settings;
• Judgment and problem solving skills, including prioritization of activities;
• Skill in meeting/juggling many and varying deadlines (e.g. returning phone calls or email and making reports, etc.) and managing work time efficiently;
• Ability to motivate and develop confidence in others;
• Dedication to workers’ rights and progress;
• Knowledge of organized labor and political issues;
• Ability to work without direct supervision.

Required Experience and Training:

• College degree;
• Three (3) years of experience as a union organizer or in a related capacity;
• A valid driver’s license and automobile for business use;
• Preferred: A Master’s Degree and five (5) years of union organizing or related experience.

Compensation:

• Salary range starts at  $63,093 (negotiable) plus a car allowance and a full benefits package.

To Apply:

Email your resume and cover letter by July 15, 2015 to info@the4cs.org.