United Food and Commercial Workers

Assistant Director
Occupational Safety and Health Office

Based in Washington DC,
near Metro (on-site)
ufcw.org

 

Organization:
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) is North America’s neighborhood union; standing together to improve the lives and livelihoods of workers, families and communities. Our members work primarily in the retail food, meatpacking, poultry, food processing and manufacturing and retail store industries.

Location:
Washington DC, near Metro (on-site)

Position Description:
The Assistant Director provides support to the Director to carry out the safety and health operations of the OSH office. The OSH office collaborates with UFCW Departments and Divisions to integrate workplace safety and health into the work they do with an emphasis on UFCW-growth related activities. The OSH office works with OSHA and other relevant outside agencies, as well as other labor unions, worker centers and coalitions, to advocate for UFCW worker safety and health. The OSH office provides training, education, and technical assistance for International Union staff and local union officers, staff, stewards and member activists.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides technical and strategic assistance to the Food Processing, Packing and Manufacturing Department (FPPM), Retail, Organizing and other Departments and Divisions and to local unions to address safety and health issues in these industries.
• Conducts on-site audits and workplace evaluations.
• Assists in organizing campaigns in all sectors.
• Represents the UFCW in meetings with Federal and State agencies, including OSHA, on occupational safety and health regulatory and enforcement activities.
• Assists the Director of OSH office in meetings with other labor unions and outside constituency/worker advocacy groups.
• Plans and conducts training and education programs for all UFCW Departments and in all UFCW-represented industries, including FPPM, retail food, and warehousing.
• Develops educational materials for use in training and education programs, including materials on safety and health topics.
• Address language equity issues, including identifying language needs of local unions and members as well as workers who are not UFCW members, but work in UFCW-represented industry sectors, to disseminate training, education, and educational materials in multiple languages.
• Plans and helps manage a train-the-trainer program to train local union workers/trainers who can become leaders and activists in their local unions.
• Writes training and education grant proposals to obtain funding for OSH staff and training.

QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in related field and minimum of five years’ safety and health education training experience required.
• Knowledge of and at least five years’ experience working with labor unions and other constituency/worker advocacy groups.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations and policies related to occupational safety and health.
• Experience working with relevant government agencies such as OSHA, NIOSH, EPA and the U.S. Chemical Safety Board.

Computer/Software Skills:

• A knowledge of computer concepts and computer functionality, and at least two years’ work experience utilizing word processing software.

Communication, Analytical and Leadership Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
• Ability to effectively present information to UFCW International and local union officers, staff, and members.
• Demonstrated strong technical, policy, analytical and strategic abilities and skills.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Required:

• Must have the ability to work independently, as well as develop relationships and make independent judgments, when working with both local unions and outside constituency groups.
• Experience in curriculum and materials development.
• Experience in developing and delivering new methods of training including remote/web-based training.

Other Desired Skills
Fluency in Spanish is desirable, but not required.

Personal Characteristics
Commitment to, knowledge of and interest in the labor movement.

Job Demands:
Must be able to handle multiple priorities and work projects for completion in a timely manner.

Work requires frequent travel and/or frequent irregular or unpredictable hours.

Working Conditions:
The work is performed in a normal office environment where the noise level is usually moderate, as well as in industrial environments where noise level is above the safe level and can involve a lot of walking in wet, slippery conditions.

Physical Demands:
This position involves, but is not limited to, written and oral communication skills, use of computer keyboard, close vision, sitting for long periods, stooping, bending and reaching.

Compensation:
Salary Range: $85,000 – $90,000.

The UFCW provides a very generous benefits package, including:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Life insurance provided with ability to purchase supplemental life insurance at favorable rates.
• Retirement Savings Account.
• 401(k) plan with employer matching.
• Pension plan.
• Dependent care reimbursement account program.
• Health care reimbursement account program.
• Transportation program benefits.
• Three weeks of paid vacation, 12 days of paid short-term sick leave, Extended Sick Leave program, paid parental leave.
• Prepaid Legal Plan (for DC/MD/VA only).

Duration:
This is a full-time position; posting closes when position is filled.

Vaccination Requirement: The UFCW requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, consistent with applicable law. Any request or questions may be submitted to: hrcovid@ufcw.org.

To Apply:
Submit cover letter, résumé to: humanresources@ufcw.org

We believe our success rests on recruiting and retaining a diverse staff. UFCW is an equal opportunity employer. Woman and people of color are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations will be provided pursuant to the state and federal laws.