Hoosier Heartland Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO

Field Coordinator

Based out of Fort Wayne, IN

 

The Hoosier Heartland Area Labor Federation (HHALF) currently supports two Field and Community Engagement Coordinators. One resides in Indianapolis and the other in Fort Wayne, IN. Both share responsibility for activities throughout the HHALF’s 27 county jurisdiction. They are responsible for implementation of all AFL-CIO activities and programs to advance Labor’s agenda, working under the guidance and supervision of both the Area Labor Federation’s President and Chapter President. They will also work closely with the members of the Area Labor Federation and Chapter’s Executive Boards and the staff of both the State and National AFL-CIO. 

The Field Coordinator’s priority assignment will be to develop and enhance labor mobilization throughout the organization’s 27 county jurisdiction. The Coordinator’s role will be to train, organize, and motivate leaders to help build the Area Labor Federation and its Chapters into self-sustaining organizations. 

The Coordinator will attend monthly Area Labor Federation and Chapter meetings. The Coordinator will collect and keep records of monthly Chapter and/or ALF meeting documents (i.e., minutes, financial reports, agendas, etc.) and provide paper and/or electronic copies ahead of each meeting.

The Coordinator will work directly with the Coordinator housed at the Central IN Chapter, other staff, and labor leaders to maintain the LaborKey database, ensuring affiliate information is up-to-date and accurate. 

PROGRAM PRIORITIES INCLUDE:

• Building Participation in All Organization Priority Activities. Working with unions and community allies, the Coordinator will increase participation in labor-to-labor walks, phone banks, rallies, marches, meetings and other events. They will develop new mobilization structures and increase existing ones to expand labor’s ability to produce larger, more creative, and more strategic member turnout for legislative, political, organizing and solidarity actions. 
• Building a Strong Political Program. The Coordinator shall assist in developing the Area Labor Federation, especially with respect to expanding labor’s political power. The Coordinator will work directly with Chapters of the Area Labor Federation and affiliates, as well as communicate with the Indiana AFL-CIO, to conceptualize, construct and implement these campaign plans. This includes moving elected officials toward understanding and directly supporting worker organizing. They will work with and train affiliates in developing workplace mobilization structures, e-activist networks, regular newsletters and other communications systems to better educate and activate union members in support of endorsed candidates and issue campaigns. The Coordinator will collaborate with other staff to oversee campaign operations. 
• Building Support for Affiliate Organizing. As assigned, the Coordinator will assist area unions wherever possible in achieving their organizing goals. This may include developing leverage through political, faith groups and other community allies, and other activities that show support to the affected workers.
• Coalition and Relationship Building in the Community. The Coordinator will facilitate the development of closer ties and effective working relationships between labor leadership and like-minded, community organizations and faith groups. They will support the work and expansion of existing, ongoing, labor-faith-community coalitions, and will assist the organization in building new permanent coalitions where none currently exist.
• Maintain and Expand Web Presence. The Coordinator will help maintain the Area Labor Federation and Chapter’s social media networks, website, and email list server. They will be responsible for regular emails, and maintenance of list servers for the Organization’s committees. The Coordinator will help create a plan to increase the size of our social networks, as well as create new media content for our campaigns.

WEEK-TO-WEEK RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Building a Volunteer Base and Communication Network. The Coordinator manages, regularly updates, and works to expand the database(s) for outreach to unions, community allies and individual volunteers. From the database(s), they will create, maintain, and make distributions to social networks and broadcast e-mail lists that serve the Organization.
• Coordinating Events. The Coordinator often organizes labor-to-labor walks, rallies, pickets, phone banks, marches and more. They must build turnout, assist in agenda preparation and maintain attention to the numerous logistical details.
• Media and Publications. The Coordinator works with leaders and staff from the Local, State and National AFL-CIO to ensure that op-ed columns and letters-to-the-editor are written and published, and radio and TV interviews are granted. They may enlist appropriate leaders during various struggles and activities where appropriate.
• Financial and Reporting Responsibilities. The Coordinator will prepare and submit detailed weekly activity reports to the Area Labor Federation and Chapter Presidents. They will identify potential sources of external funding for the Organization and will assist in applications and solicitation as needed. 
• Building Affiliation. Working with the President and the Executive Board, the Coordinator will help plan and assist in increasing the organization’s affiliation. As requested, they will also assist in increasing affiliation with the State Federation. 

NECESSARY SKILLS:
The Coordinator must have a commitment to the Labor Movement and an understanding of Labor’s goals. They are encouraged to be a Union member or become a member, and remain so while employed by the Hoosier Heartland Area Labor Federation. They must be able to advance projects and programs that convey these goals by working with a diverse range of union leaders, members and community activists in high-pressure situations and under difficult deadlines. The Coordinator must direct the activities of a large organization while following the priorities and work plan set by elected leaders, working independently and demonstrating sound political judgement. 

Excellent verbal communication skills are essential, including the ability to interact successfully with individuals from widely diverse ethnic, racial, age, gender, educational, occupational and socio-economic backgrounds. Required written communication skills include the ability to produce newsletters, leaflets, basic phone and walk scripts, work plans and project reports. 

The Coordinator must have a valid driver’s license, continuous use of a safe working vehicle, automobile liability insurance, and be willing to travel throughout the organization’s jurisdiction on a regular basis. Occasional travel to other parts of the state and/or out-of-state may be necessary. Overnight travel will be infrequent, but may be required. Due to the nature of the Field Coordinator’s job, evening and weekend hours will be required. The field coordinator is expected to flex his or her daily or weekly schedule to meet the organization’s needs.

Computer skills are required, including knowledge and extensive use of Microsoft Office Suite and web-based organizing tools such as Action Network, Labor Key, LAN/VAN and social media platforms. 

Other experience, skills and qualifications needed include: 

• Union, community, political and/or issue campaign experience; 
• Mobilizing groups and individuals;
• Effective time management skills, including prioritizing and managing multiple tasks;
• Organizing events; 
• Recruiting, training and retaining volunteers;
• Group speaking and one-on-one communication abilities;
• Research skills;
• Grassroots, legislative campaign and/or lobbying experience;
• Highly adaptive to changing work needs and ability to work in high pressure environments;
• Physical ability to lift moderately heavy objects, and to stand, sit and drive for extended periods;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and diplomatically; 
• Demonstrated experience in developing campaign and personal work plans and goals; 
• Willingness to sign and honor an agreement protecting the integrity of union and partner data.

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience with union leaders and members in political campaigns
• Bilingual/Spanish speaking
• Fundraising and Grant writing
• Desktop publishing

DIVERSITY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
The Organization is an equal opportunity employer that actively seeks to build diversity among our officers, staff, and members. Women, people of color, LGBTQ, Veterans and disabled individuals are fully respected and encouraged in this position and in all opportunities with the Organization.

To Apply:
Please submit applications by email on or before February 28, 2026 to:

Charley Jackson, Coordinator
cjackson@hhalf.org

HHALF General Office
1828 N Meridian Street, Ste 111
Indianapolis, IN 46202

HHALF NE Chapter Office
2228 Lakeview Drive 
Fort Wayne, IN 46808