Field Service Director – Central Region : Illinois

Illinois Federation of Teachers
500 Oakmont Lane
Westmont, Illinois 60559

Field Service Director
Central Region

Based in the Quincy, IL office

APPLICATION IS MADE BY SENDING A LETTER AND A CURRENT RESUME TO THE ATTENTION OF BARB LATTA, AT THE ADDRESS SHOWN ABOVE OR VIA E-MAIL AT blatta@ift-aft.org, IN BOTH CASES NO LATER THAN JUNE 8, 2019.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate should possess the following:

1. Ability to speak and present before large audiences
2. Ability to persuade and motivate people
3. Ability to work independently
4. Experience in teaching or other education/public employment related positions
5. Experience in organizing union locals
6. Experience in negotiating union contracts
7. Experience in processing and advocating contract grievances
8. Experience in representing individuals & advocating their rights
9. Essential computer skills including word processing, spreadsheets and communications software
10. Willingness to work long hours, weekends and evenings on a regular basis
11. Willingness to drive long distances on a regular basis
12. Willingness to accept direction and change

MAIN FUNCTIONS
A successful candidate will be expected to:

I. ORGANIZE NEW IFT LOCALS

1. Identify and develop new locals or potential bargaining units
2. Follow-up leads to new locals or units
3. Speak before groups interested in IFT information
4. Provide interested parties with IFT literature, brochures, etc.
5. Design and initiate specific programs to build support for starting an IFT local

II. BUILD MEMBERSHIP IN EXISTING IFT LOCALS

1. Assist in the development of local membership recruitment programs
2. Assist locals with regular membership communications
3. Meet on a regular basis with local leaders to help plan activities and build local programs
4. Train local leaders to be effective in carrying out local programs
5. Meet with groups to explain functions of IFT and AFT

III. SERVICE LOCALS

1. Aid locals in drawing up and negotiating contracts
2. Aid locals in handling grievances and arbitrations
3. Help locals know and execute their rights and
4. responsibilities under a collective bargaining law
5. Encourage locals to get involved in AFT and IFT activities and programs
6. Advise and assist locals on defense cases and follow IFT and AFT procedures
7. Advise and assist locals on legislative and political action programs with the IFT Department of Political Activities
8. Train local leaders in essential leadership functions
9. Report on local activities to the IFT Communications Department

IV. OTHER SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENTS

1. Work under the daily supervision and direction of the Director of Field Operations
2. Attend IFT meetings and workshops
3. Assist in IFT convention programs
4. Assist in legislative activities
5. Make monthly reports on activities
6. Carry out assignments made by the executive board, president or secretary-treasurer
7. Work on AFT assignments, outside of Illinois, as requested