New England Health Care Employees Union
District 1199 SEIU

Rhode Island Political Director

For covering Rhode Island

 

About Us:
In these challenging times, when so much wealth and power is concentrated in the hands of so few, it is more important than ever to unite working people with the broader political and social justice movement to achieve respect and dignity, economic and racial equality on the job and in our communities.

District 1199 SEIU is a bold, democratic Union with a long activist tradition. In his remarks at 1199’s Salute to Freedom in 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr stated “Local 1199 represents the authentic conscience of the labor movement.” In recent years, we’ve won substantial wage increases for thousands of low-wage workers through militant direct-action campaigns, fought racism on the job, campaigned for progressive policy in the state legislature, and engaged in the community around a variety of social justice issues.

Overview
The Rhode Island Political Director is a leadership position responsible for the strategic plan for the development and execution of all political functions of the Rhode Island Division of the local. Specifically, the Rhode Island Political Director is responsible for a broad range of program objectives including strategy for election champions, lobbying, accountability of elected officials, coalition building amount political allies, coordinating field support for legislative and electoral campaigns, growing member participation in our Political Action Fund (PAC), political strategy in support of organizing and bargaining campaigns and political communications. The Rhode Island Political Director’s priority is working through our field structure to engage the membership in all aspects of the local’s political program through political education and action. The Rhode Island Political Director works with the leadership team and reports to the Rhode Island Executive Vice President.

Job Duties

1. Develop comprehensive and integrated political program recommendations for the officers/senior staff, advise them on political strategies, and ensure effective implementation of the political program;
2. Develop and implement campaigns that include goal setting and training to build participation in our Political Action Fund (PAC), and insure the successful growth of the fund;
3. Overseeing implementation of the member political organizer program;
4. Organize, train, and build union staff and member participation in electoral campaigns including precinct walks, phone bank and other activities;
5. Supervise staff and members who are assigned to perform political tasks to further the union’s political program;
6. Provide leadership on political messaging, including written communications such as bulletins, direct mail, email, phone scripts, polls and testimony for members, allies, elected officials and the media in coordination with Communications;
7. Arrange, organize and lead member engagement with elected officials including lobby days, phone calls, and postcard campaigns, and other activities;
8. Serve as Lobbyist for SEIU District 1199NE in Rhode Island including developing legislative and policy proposals, prepare and give testimony at public hearings, summarize and analyze bills and policies form and maintain lobbying coalitions, collaborate with staff and members to develop organize plans to complement our lobbying efforts and develop leaders;
9. Craft and execute a plan for member political education and engagement throughout the state that results in increased participation in the union’s political program;
10. Work to develop relationships with legislators, other elected officials, and candidates on behalf of the union;
11. Develop and implement the union’s candidate and ballot initiative endorsement process including questionnaires, interviews, and contribution recommendations;
12. Design election campaign plans for candidate, issue, and independent expenditure campaigns in coordination with the state council work group;
13. Build and maintain strategic partnerships with our allies, represent 1199NE in labor and community coalitions.
14. Develop annual, monthly, and project-based programs and budget plans including donations for approval by the President, Officers and Executive Board; administer annual and monthly political budget and budget plans;
15. Ensure appropriate reporting to the Office of State Ethic and other bodies;
16. Provide regular written reports on activities;
17. Other duties as assigned by the Executive Vice President.

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to the labor movement, building worker power, and progressive social change for a just society;
• Successful experience on organizing campaigns, preferably with both union and political organizations;
• Successful experience with political campaigns and political communications;
• Proven ability to lead staff and members in union or membership organization;
• Ability to motivate, inspire, and hold staff accountable;
• Demonstrated ability to raise PAC dollars and recruit members and staff to participate in elections and lobbying;
• Ability to work independently with accountability, initiate projects and exercise a high level of judgment, and to manage multi-faced campaigns and sensitive political situations;
• Ability work well, timely and creatively under multiple priorities and tight deadlines in a team environment;
• Highly skilled at training staff and member volunteers;
• Excellent strategic, analytical, written, and oral communication skills including presentations;
• Experience with and commitment to working in a multicultural, multiracial organization;
• Skill at using Microsoft Word and Excel
• Willingness and ability to work long and irregular hours including in-state and out-of-state travel;
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and car.

Supervision:

• Reports to the Executive Vice President

Salary & Benefits:

• Competitive salary depends on experience. This job includes a generous benefits package including pension and health insurance.

To Apply:
Send cover letter and résumé to:

Katie Bordonaro. SEIU1199 New England
77 Huyshope Avenue, Hartford CT 06106
Email: kbordonaro@seiu1199ne.org
Fax: 860-251-6049