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The SCEA staff are committed to advancing the cause of public education. Join our dynamic team committed to safeguarding and improving South Carolina's public education system through innovative initiatives and collaborative efforts. Together, we strive to create a positive impact on the education profession, ensuring a brighter future for students and educators across South Carolina.
Statewide Field Organizer
- Function
The Statewide Field Organizer is a multi-faceted position that supports the Executive Director and field staff in ensuring affiliate-wide success. The role performs a variety of organizational development work related to membership growth and leadership development, assisting the affiliate to achieve its goals and strategic priorities. This work includes, but is not limited to, membership recruitment, retention, engagement, and reporting; identifying and developing local leaders; and supporting work on behalf of local Associations pertaining to recruiting, organizing, revitalizing inactive locals, and member advocacy. This position has the potential to be a 3-year grant-based position, dependent on the receipt of grant funds from NEA to The SCEA. If goals are met, the position could transition into a full-time position. The grant year runs annually from September 1 to August 31.
- Responsibilities
The Statewide Field Organizer, under the direction of the Executive Director, will provide ongoing support to local affiliates in the planning and implementation of organizing programs, including, but not limited to:
- Campaign planning and implementation of issue organizing, membership recruitment and engagement, and worksite leader development.
- Develop and provide direct support to local affiliates in building community relationships and coalitions to support the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the local, state, and national affiliates.
- Develop and provide direct support to local affiliates in building/association representative recruitment and training, local organizing program development, issue organizing, collective action, and legislative initiatives.
- Develop and provide direct support to locals and the state affiliate in developing organizing plans and creating systems/processes to measure effectiveness.
- Conduct regular visits to worksites to coach local and worksite leaders in organizing skills, build positive relationships with leaders and staff, and advance the knowledge and effectiveness of worksite leaders.
- Provide consultative and onsite support to local affiliate leaders and members in the planning and implementation of programs including but not limited to: communications; implementation of centrally developed and locally delivered training programs; membership growth (recruitment and retention); employee rights and contract enforcement; employee relations; early career educator engagement; racial justice advocacy; legislative action; and program evaluation.
- Assisting with the strategic planning, coordination, and management of events aligned with growth objectives; managing conference schedules; and identifying emerging leaders.
- Attending events and conferences and collaborating with other departments to align membership activities with overall Association goals.
- Assist with on-the-job skill development and cross-training of other association staff to build generalist knowledge; participate with other affiliate staff to build and deliver effective training programs to increase organizational knowledge and build strength.
Perform other duties as assigned specifically by the Executive Director
- Competency Framework
The ideal candidate should possess the following qualities:
- Travel — Frequent statewide travel is required. There may be periodic out-of-state travel as needed. Travel and associated costs are subject to reimbursement.
- Oral Communication — Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, considering the audience and nature of the information; makes clear and convincing presentations; listens to others; attends to nonverbal cues.
- Self-Management/Initiative — Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment toward completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.
- Teamwork — Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, and trust; fosters commitment; works with others to achieve goals.
- Written Communication — Recognizes and uses correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information that is appropriate for the intended audience.
- Planning and Evaluating — Organizes work, sets priorities, determines resources and requirements; determines goals and strategies; coordinates with other organizations, monitors progress; evaluates outcomes.
- Integrity/Honesty — Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization and displays high standards of ethical conduct and the protection of sensitive member data.
- Interpersonal Skills — Shows understanding, courtesy, tact, and empathy; develops and maintains relationships; deals effectively with difficult people; relates well to people from varied backgrounds; is sensitive to individual differences.
- Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred, but not required.
Experience: The position requires familiarity with union work as a member, leader, or staff, and experience in one or more of the following areas: issue organizing, membership recruitment and engagement, worksite leader development, member/local advocacy, collective bargaining and contract enforcement, and relevant data management and analytics.
Technical: Microsoft Office Suite (required), Salesforce, and Canva (preferred).
Other: The successful candidate will be expected to develop expertise in other areas through formal and informal training. Experience with other unions or organizations performing similar work will also be considered.
- Authority and Relationships
This position is part of the Bargaining Unit and is subject to the terms, salary, and conditions of employment contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between The SCEA Executive Board and the South Carolina Staff Organization (SCSO).
The position reports directly to the Executive Director and/or Designee.
- Salary Range
Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), beginning at step one (1) $56,705 plus benefits.
Deadline
To be considered for this position, please provide the following:
- A current resume reflecting qualifications for this position.
- A Letter of Application which specifically addresses how accomplishments in the candidate’s career have prepared them to meet the challenges and opportunities of the position.
All materials must be sent electronically to: [email protected].
For all other questions regarding this search, including confidential inquiries, please contact The SCEA Executive Director, Tom F. Hudson at [email protected]
The position will remain open until filled.
The South Carolina Education Association (The SCEA) is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices. We are an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that seeks to interview applicants from a pool of candidates that reflects the diversity of the greater community.
