AFT Washington is excited opportunity!
State Affiliate Political Organizer Job Announcement
POSITION: State Affiliate Political Organizer (SAPO). AFT Washington is excited to offer the opportunity to engage with our membership, community allies, and legislators around developing and moving our legislative agenda. This position is responsible for driving member engagement in our legislative and political program on behalf of AFT Washington’s membership. This position is jointly funded by AFT Washington and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Date Posted: March 11, 2020
Resumes accepted until: Position is filled
Salary: $60,000 to $71,643 – DOE and in accordance with a CBA
Our Vision: AFT Washington seeks a just society with access for all to unions, education, health care, and social programs that provide equal opportunity. To that end, we will encourage and provide resources for potential members to become members, members to become activists, and activists to become leaders, growing the union, its scope, and its depth, so that our members see the power of the union, are drawn to it, and realize that the power comes from them, their commitment and involvement.
Our Values
AFT Washington values transformational unionism that includes:
• Strength through solidarity
• Unity among diverse members
• Action toward our goals
• Democracy in our locals
• Quality programs for students
• Fairness for members
The opportunity: This position offers the opportunity to work independently and in small teams to fulfill our vision by living our values in the work we do with our members, labor and community allies, and elected leaders. As a mission driven organization, you have the opportunity to express our values on a day-to-day basis and contribute to the well-being of our members, students, working people, and communities.
The position: This job announcement is framed around the responsibilities required of the position at various points in the first year of employment. Included are the knowledge base needed to be hired as well as learning that is expected to occur by certain points in time.
Skills Expected Upon Start
• Proficient with LAN and VAN.
• Proficient at developing campaign strategy and planning.
• Professional oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient with member engagement strategies.
• Proficient with MS Office tools, especially Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
Position-Relevant Knowledge Expected Upon Start
• Roles of relevant governmental entities, e.g., PDC, FEC, etc.
• State and federal education agencies.
• State legislative structure, leadership, and election cycle.
• Working analysis of systemic oppression and strategies for promoting equality.
• Labor movement principles and goals.
Month One Responsibilities
• Initiate contact with local leaders and attend membership, leadership, or one-on-one meetings with 2-3 leaders.
• Hold a meeting with the Committee on Political Education (COPE) with support of the president.
• Meet with AFT Washington staff individually.
• Maintain communication with AFT National staff and takes action related to AFT priorities.
Month One Learning Expectations
• Understand the relationship of the SAPO to the Government Relations Specialist and the UORs.
• Understand who AFT Washington represents and general concerns of each constituency.
• Understand legal parameters and reporting requirements of political work as related to elections, lobbying, member use of public resources for political purposes, etc.
Month Three Responsibilities
• Have face to face contact with leaders and/or members at a minimum of 10 locals.
• Assess and prioritize community allies, meet with 3-5 allies, and make phone contact with all of them.
• Contribute material for an electronic or physical publication for our members and/or leaders.
• Provide a report to the executive board at least two times.
• Create a timeline for our endorsement process and begin to implement it.
• Participate in Washington State Labor Council political committee meetings.
• Utilize Hustle and Action Network to communicate with members.
• Provide monthly reports to the executive board and councils with clarity on priorities and goals of the report.
• Staff events as assigned.
Month Three Learning Expectations
• Knowledge of state agencies, educational structures, and institutions relevant to member interests.
• Knowledge of communications vehicles used by AFT Washington and AFT.
• Knowledge to effectively utilize Hustle and Action Network.
Month –Six Responsibilities
• Manage endorsement process.
• Hold monthly meetings of COPE and fulfill staff support role for committee.
• Develop and implement political and legislative programs in coordination with AFT and other staff.
• Mobilize members for at least three events/actions, e.g., labor-neighbor event; COPE fundraising event, endorsement interview, in-district legislator meetings.
• Contribute to legislative and political communications strategy.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned.
Month Six Learning Expectations
• Strategic communications.
• Political lay of the land.
One-year Responsibilities
• Set COPE fundraising goals and develop a strategy for goal achievement and implement the strategy.
• Identify, recruit, and train members for engagement in legislative and political programs.
• Actively participates with community partners with consideration of mutual benefit of the partnership.
• Assist with lobbying as directed by the president.
One-year Learning Expectations
• Identify areas for continuing professional development.
• Knowledge of significant AFT Washington legislative campaigns and gains.
• Knowledge of priority issues and range of solutions for each constituency.
• Knowledge of legislator landscape.
Benefits
• High-quality medical, dental, vision, AD&D insurance.
• Employer-paid pension plan.
• Four weeks paid vacation during the first year of employment.
• 12 paid holidays plus two floating holidays.
The first nine months of employment shall be probationary.
This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117.
Applicant’s resume and three references are required. Cover letter and personal statements are not required but will be reviewed. Please submit application materials to:
James To, Operations Manager AFT Washington, AFL-CIO Attn: SAPO Application 604 Oakesdale Ave. SW, Suite 103 Renton, WA 98057 FAX: 206-242-3131 Email: jto@aftwa.org
For questions, please contact James To by email or at 206-432-8076.
AFT Washington is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified applicants to apply. The organization strives to eradicate all forms of oppression and achieve equity for all. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential organizational goals which are incorporated into the hiring process. All applicants will be assessed with consideration of their understanding of institutionalized oppression and strategies for addressing it.