Indiana State Teachers Association
 

Field Staff Readiness Pool

Based in Indianapolis, IN

 

SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Salary Range: $87,665 – $139,434

To Apply:
Those interested in applying for the Field Staff Readiness Pool may do so by following this link to our job site Current Openings | Recruitment

Applications will be accepted through December 12, 2025. Only applicants in the Field Staff Readiness Pool will be considered for future field staff position vacancies.

STAFF RELATIONSHIP: Directly responsible to the Director of UniServ & Organizing (North or South)

GENERAL INFORMATION:
The Indiana State Teachers Association is accepting applications for its Field Staff Readiness Pool. Candidates in this pool will be considered for future openings in the UniServ & Organizing Department, which includes UniServ Directors (field representatives) and UniServ Organizers (field organizers) located throughout the state. Some positions are assigned to an office, and others may be assigned to a home office, subject to a residency requirement.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provide coaching, local and member training, and appropriate professional assistance to local affiliates and members, including the following:

1. In Communications – Assist in developing viable internal and external communications programs designed to ensure a consistent two-way flow of member and local information. 
2. In Leadership Development – Provide consultative and on-site support to local affiliate/elected leaders/building representatives/committee members/delegates/staff in the planning and implementation of their collective bargaining, employee rights, and contract enforcement programs. Includes but is not limited to communications, implementation of centrally developed and locally delivered training programs, local training programs, employee relations, bargaining and contract enforcement, membership promotion, political action, program evaluation 
3. In Legislative and Political Action – Assist local leaders in developing and implementing an effective local lobbying and political action program
4. In Local Development – Assist in the areas of representative training, member engagement, local structure building, building member voice, local program development, building a budget, political action/legislative initiative, community organizing and building community coalitions, and any other areas with which the local seeks guidance and assistance.
5. In Member Rights – Work to ensure that local affiliates guarantee members their rights through a) collective bargaining and contract enforcement; b) training local leaders in the recognition and processing of grievances; c)preparing for and representing members and provide administrative hearing such as school board, unit clarification, and grievance proceedings; and d) counseling members and locals in achieving human rights as provide by statute, rules, practice, negotiations, or contract.
6. In Negotiations – Assist locals in implementing state and local goals; coordinate assistance to local negotiators; may serve as local negotiator.
7. In Organizing – Assist locals with a systematic ongoing program of organizing that includes membership growth (recruitment and retention), issue identification, leadership identification and development, action-focused campaign planning, and appropriate data collection and analysis; assist in organizing unorganized education units.
8. In Professional Issues – Provide multiple avenues of high-quality, research-based professional development to meet training, retraining, and certification needs of teachers and ESPs to enhance the effectiveness of practice and improve student achievement.
9. Participate in personal/professional growth and staff development opportunities in consultation with the appropriate manager.
10. Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Required qualifications include a bachelor’s degree or at least three years of previous union staff experience or ISTA leadership experience, a valid state driver’s license, a minimum of three years of relevant work or union leadership experience, basic organizing knowledge and skill, and interpersonal skills including oral and written communications, persuasiveness, initiative, problem analysis and resolution, relationship building, leadership, organizational sensitivity, flexibility, and being detail oriented. 

Preferred Qualifications
A master’s degree. Prior experience including, but not limited to: issue organizing, professional issues, negotiations, political action, public relations, grievance processing, arbitration, local and member training, member consultation skills, and experience in working with elected leaders at all levels is desirable. Also preferred would be knowledge of the ideological base of advocacy associations, experience in developing and implementing plans based on analysis of current events, organizational goals and attitudes, experience in selection, evaluation, and training of individuals who will train others, and experience in a public school environment. The position holder will be expected to develop expertise in other areas through formal and informal training.

ISTA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER AND ENCOURAGES WOMEN, MINORITIES, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO APPLY.