Field and Community Engagement Coordinator : Indiana

Hoosier Heartland Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO

Field and Community Engagement Coordinator

Based in Fort Wayne area, IN

POSITION:    Field and Community Engagement Coordinator
LOCATION: Northeast Indiana AFL-CIO Chapter – Fort Wayne area
COMPENSATION:   Salary and benefits are competitive and are commensurate with experience & qualifications
START DATE: Tentatively May 15, 2017
APPLICATIONS DUE: Preferred by April 17, 2017.  Application packages will be accepted until the position is filled.

COMMITMENT: This position will initially be funded through a two-year grant. The position is intended to become permanent staff-leader role.

THE ORGANIZATIONS:
This organization is chartered by the National AFL-CIO and is a coalition of Local Unions throughout Central and Northeast Indiana. The organization works to stimulate and coordinate communications and mobilization activity area-wide among affiliates and allies.  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 governed by an elected Executive Board.

NATURE OF POSITION:
The Field Coordinator is required to live in the organization’s jurisdiction, operating from a central base and working throughout the area.  Specific details on the work and responsibilities of the position are in the attached position description. This is a two-year, grant-funded position.  Our organization intends and expect to extend the position beyond that period but the extension is not guaranteed. Candidates who cannot commit to serve the entire two-year period will not be considered.  

Area Field Coordinator
Position Description

The Field and Community Engagement Coordinator is responsible for implementation of all AFL-CIO activities and programs to advance labor’s agenda, working under the guidance and supervision of both the Area Labor Federation’s President and Chapter President. She/He will also work closely with the members of the Area Labor Federation and Chapter’s Executive Board and the staffs of both the State and National AFL-CIO.  

The Field Coordinator’s priority assignment will be to develop and enhance labor mobilization throughout the organization’s jurisdiction.  The Coordinator’s role will be to train, organize, and motivate leaders to help build the Area Labor Federation and its Chapters into self-sustaining organizations. </span></span>

PROGRAM PRIORITIES INCLUDE:

• Building Participation in All Organization Priority Activities.  Working with unions and community allies, the Coordinator will increase participation in labor-to-labor walks, phone banks, rallies, marches, meetings and other events.  She/He will develop new mobilization structures and increase existing ones to expand labor’s ability to produce 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 Area Labor Federation, especially with respect to expanding labor’s political power.  The Coordinator will work directly with Chapters of the Area Labor Federation and affiliates, as well as communicate with the Indiana AFL-CIO, to conceptualize, construct and implement these campaign plans.  This includes moving elected officials toward understanding and directly supporting worker organizing.  She/He 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 oversee overall campaign operations.
• Building Support for Affiliate Organizing.  As assigned, 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 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.  She/He 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.
• Maintain and Expand Web Presence.  The Coordinator will help maintain the Area Labor Federation and Chapter’s social media networks, website, and email list server.  She/He will be responsible for regular emails, and maintenance of list servers for the Organization’s committees.  The Coordinator will help create a plan to increase the size of our social networks, as well as create new media content for our campaigns.

WEEK-TO-WEEK RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Building a Volunteer Base and Communication Network.  The Coordinator manages, regularly updates and works to expand the database(s) for outreach to unions, community allies and individual volunteers.  From the database(s), she/he creates, maintains and makes distributions to social networks and broadcast e-mail lists that serve the Organization.
• Coordinating Events. The Coordinator often organizes labor-to-labor walks, rallies, pickets, phone banks, marches and more.  She/He must build turnout, assist in agenda preparation and maintain attention to the numerous logistical details.
• Media and Publications. The Coordinator works with leaders and staff from the Local, State and National AFL-CIO to ensure that op-ed columns and letters-to-the-editor are written and published, radio and TV interviews granted, and enlists appropriate leaders during various struggles and activities.
• Financial and Reporting Responsibilities. The Coordinator will prepare and submit detailed weekly activity reports to the Area Labor Federation and Chapter President.  She/He will identify potential sources of external funding for the Organization, 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 organization’s affiliation.  As requested, she/he 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.  She/He is encouraged to be a Union member or become a member, and remain so while employed by the Area Labor Federation.  She/He 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 flex his or her daily or weekly schedule to meet the organizations 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, community, policial and/or issue campaign expirence;
• Work mobilizing groups and individuals;
• Effective time management skills, including prioritizing and managing multiple tasks;
• Organizing events;
• Recruiting, training and retaining volunteers;
• Group speaking and one-on-one communication abilities
• Research skills;
• 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
• 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:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Work with union leaders and members in political campaigns
• Bilingual/ Spanish speaking
• Fundraising and Grant writing
• Desktop publishing

We are looking for a candidate who, preferably, is able to commit to this position for two years, and it is our desire and intention to continue the position beyond this initial period.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE & DEADLINE:
By April 17, 2017 complete and submit: 1) the attached application; 2) answers to the Personal Statement questions on page 3 of the application; 3) your resume; 4) two samples of written work projects you personally completed; and 5) any other relevant materials. Email the complete application package and all required materials to: campaignsapplication@gmail.com

Application form as Word doc HERE; application form as PDF HERE.

DIVERSITY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
Our organizations are equal opportunity employers, 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.

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