NHFT
New Haven Federation of Teachers
Local 933

Member Organizer

Based in New Haven, CT

 

The New Haven Federation of Teachers (NHFT), an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and AFT-CT, is a union of professionals representing over 1700 teachers, school counselors, library media specialists, social workers, school psychologists, and other related school personnel who work in New Haven Public Schools. NHFT advocates for policies and practices that promote equitable public schools and high-quality public education for our students. By engaging in this work, we are able to ensure a better future for not only our members, but also for the students and families we serve.

Vision: NHFT is a member-driven and community-focused teachers union committed to public education. We empower and unite educators, students, families and the New Haven community to fight for fully-funded and democratically-run public schools.

Strategic Goals

1. Organize for safe, well-maintained, and democratically-run public schools
2. Fight for fully and equitably funded public schools
3. Strengthen NHFT’s political power at the city and state level
4. Build a City of New Haven where everyone can live and thrive

POSITION OVERVIEW – This is a part-time position (20 hours/week)
NHFT is committed to strengthening our union through member organizing to ensure New Haven classrooms have the staffing, support, and resources our communities need. The organizer will build relationships and collaborate with NHFT members and coalition partners to advocate for improved working and learning conditions, increased funding, and more transparent budgeting.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Help develop and implement campaign plans to increase union member engagement
• Identify and recruit new members to work on NHFT campaigns
• Conduct 1-on-1 meetings with educators, member leaders, and community partners 
• Update union member contact lists
• Recruit union members to participate in actions and to testify in public meetings and legislative hearings
• Help develop and distribute materials and trainings to support campaigns

DESIRED COMPETENCIES:

• At least two years of organizing experience with labor, community, or political campaigns
• Share NHFT’s vision for a progressive and member-driven teachers’ union rooted in racial equity and economic justice
• Be an effective communicator
• Be a consensus and coalition builder while working with intergenerational teams
• Ability to identify and develop workplace leaders to participate in organizing activities
• Flexibility with working hours (sometimes including nights and weekends)
• Ability to exercise excellent judgment while working under pressure
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills
• Ability to work independently while also incorporating feedback
• Ability to work well within multiple collaborative/team structures
• Ability to prioritize activities while advancing the needs of campaigns
• Ability to inspire confidence and ownership among NHFT members 
• Ability to travel to schools throughout New Haven 

Hourly pay: $32/hour (up to 20 hours/week)

POSITION OPEN UNTIL FILLED 

TO APPLY: 
Send cover letter and résumé to Leslie Blatteau: lblatteau@nhft933.org