Maine Service Employees Association
SEIU Local 1989

Member Strength Organizer

Based in Augusta, ME

 

Annual Salary Range: $60,800 – $81,500

Maine Service Employees Association, MSEA-SEIU Local 1989, is seeking an experienced union organizer to support and organize workers across the state. MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 is a labor union representing more than 13,000 public- and private-sector employees throughout the State of Maine.

About Our Union
Together, we organize in our worksites and communities to advocate for our families, coworkers, and the dignity and respect all workers deserve. Through collective bargaining, political action, and issue campaigns, MSEA members make their voices heard where decisions are made.

Position Summary
The Member Strength Organizer plays a critical role in building the power of MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 by expanding our capacity to organize, develop member leaders, increase union density in key worksites, and win concrete improvements for workers.

Reporting to the Membership Campaign Manager, the Member Strength Organizer works closely with field representatives, board members, chapter leaders, stewards, and other rank-and-file leaders to strengthen the Local’s ability to reach workers, bring new members into the union, and sustain strong internal organizing.

This is a year-round internal organizing position focused on training, coaching, and activating stewards and member leaders to recruit new members, increase density, escalating contract campaigns, and build long-term organizing capacity. Working with a statewide lens, the Member Strength Organizer balances direct outreach with steward-led organizing and clear accountability to meet membership growth and campaign goals. This role also emphasizes effective communication, leadership development, and retention strategies that reduce attrition and build durable worker power.

Key Qualities
The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A strong commitment to the principles of organized labor and building power for working people
• Experience participating in successful organizing or contract campaigns
• Experience training members and identifying, developing, and supporting worker leaders
• Strong written, verbal, and digital communication skills
• A collaborative work style and the ability to build trust with staff and member leaders
• A demonstrated commitment to equity, solidarity, and collective action

Core Responsibilities
Membership Recruitment & Internal Organizing

• Build and maintain membership recruitment programs by supporting field representatives and stewards with tools, lists, data, and organizing support
• Engage members in union activity by identifying worksite issues, organizing around shared concerns, and supporting collective action
• Model effective organizing skills for worksite leaders, including conducting one-on-one organizing conversations, navigating challenging discussions, and assessing conversations for follow-up
• Collaborate with the Communications and Training Coordinator, MSEA staff, and members to create and distribute communication materials, including videos, social media content, internal updates, and digital organizing tools
• Develop and implement creative organizing strategies that strengthen the Local and advance members’ interests, including developing compelling stories and narratives with union members about their work, working conditions, and the importance of unity and worker power.
• Conduct outreach to members considering leaving the union to listen, problem-solve, and reinforce the value of union membership
• Maintain consistent work planning, data entry, and task management within assigned projects
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Campaign Organizing

• Support worksite organizing committees and staff in building escalating contract and issue-based campaigns
• Build communication and organizing capacity among members at the worksite level and across the Local
• Participate in public pressure and community-based campaigns
• Help develop and maintain internal membership communication structures
• Track and analyze membership engagement and participation data to assess worker power
• Coordinate with the political division to align organizing, electoral, and legislative strategies

Education & Leadership Development

• Identify, recruit, train, and support member leaders as part of MSEA’s steward leadership program
• Initiate, plan, and execute MSEA’s annual member leadership development programming, including All-Steward and New-Steward trainings
• Create accessible membership recruitment tools and mentor stewards in recruitment strategies
• Assist in planning and delivering orientations and educational programs for new hires
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Requirements

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to work independently, think strategically, and solve problems creatively
• Demonstrated ability to follow strategic campaign plans while adapting to changing conditions
• Consistent use of data entry and task management systems
• Proficiency with computers, email, internet research tools, and Microsoft applications
• Experience with CRM databases and spreadsheet tools, including VAN
• Familiarity with digital communication and organizing tools such as Canva, Adobe, EveryAction, social media platforms, texting programs, and virtual meeting tools
• Ability to travel statewide for extended periods and work long hours, including evenings and weekends as needed
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent related experience preferred

Additional Information
This position is a bargaining unit position.

MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 is committed to equity and strongly encourages members of historically marginalized communities to apply.

To Apply: 
Please submit a résumé, references, and a writing sample to:

Jessica Doody
Director of Operations
MSEA-SEIU Local 1989
5 Community Drive, 3rd Floor
Augusta, ME 04330
Email: jessica.doody@mseaseiu.org