Maryland State Education Association
 

Community Organizer

Based in Maryland

 

Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) is the Maryland affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA). MSEA is a union and professional association headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland representing 76,000 educators and school employees working in Maryland’s public schools. MSEA is dedicated to improving the teaching and learning experience; negotiating professional compensation and advocating for increased education funding and working conditions for public school employees; promoting academic achievement for all students; and protecting labor, civil and human rights for all.

JOB SUMMARY: This position has primary responsibility for identifying, building relationships with, and developing organizing strategies with community leaders and partners that advance support and improvements for public schools, students, and our members. This position will partner with local association leaders, members, and staff to create internal and external organizing plans, engage in power-mapping, conduct 1-1s both internally and externally, and facilitate group planning, goal setting, and actions to achieve shared goals. This work is primarily on-the-ground organizing, with some ability to supplement with virtual organizing tools. Success will require strong initiative, good judgement, and creative organizing, while working within MSEA’s state and local affiliate strategic plans. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Promote and work for the implementation of and adherence to the policies and programs adopted by MSEA/NEA.
• Develop and provide direct support to local affiliates in building community relationships and coalitions that support the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the association.
• Develop and provide direct support to local affiliates in power mapping, building capacity, developing organizing plans, and creating systems/processes to measure effectiveness.
• Engage directly in 1-1 relational work internally and externally to uncover motivations and connect to existing and/or emerging interests and issues impacting public schools, students, members, and the greater community.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local community organization leaders, key decision-makers, and grassroots partners.
• Campaign planning and implementation of issue organizing, community organizing, and leader development.
• Training and supporting leaders, member organizers, and community coalition partners.
• Facilitate small and large group discussions towards the establishment of plans and engagement by all partners in actions to accomplish common goals.
• Collaborate and provide support to coalition partners and allies around engagement and active participation in achieving shared goals.
• Develop issue campaigns based on deeply and widely felt issues.
• Aligning local campaigns with statewide and national strategic priorities (i.e. May Day 2028 labor organizing via escalating and culminating actions, as appropriate).
• Communicate and coordinate regularly with manager, fellow staff, and local leaders on progress of plans and any necessary adjustments to plans.
• Provide detailed monthly written reports and participate in regular one-on-one check-in meetings with managers to ensure alignment and accountability.
• Plan and implement all aspects of an action that align with desired outcomes, in coordination with local leaders and staff.
• Utilize data tools to track 1-1s, leadership identification, issue identification, for power-mapping, and other campaign-related work.
• Utilize digital and hybrid organizing tools to support virtual engagements and online mobilizations.
• Work cross-departmentally to access and coordinate organizational resources.
• Promote Active and Community Ally membership.
• Ability and willingness to work extended hours including weekends and evenings at locations throughout the state.
• Interest in professional development to pursue training, mentorship, and other resources to expand skills and support career advancement.  
• Ability to attend multi-day, overnight professional development opportunities both in and out of state as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Baccalaureate Degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Three or more years’ experience as an organizer for a community organization, labor union, or related advocacy effort, including participation in organizing campaign(s) with tangible results; comparable experience or demonstrated skills will be considered.
• Knowledge of the values, goals, and mission of MSEA, NEA, and local affiliates.
• A strong understanding of the issues of educational, economic, social, and racial justice.
• Possession of strong analytical, problem-solving, diagnostic, and responsiveness skills.
• Ability to bring groups of diverse people together around common interests/issues, and create buy-in from the group for a set of goals and actions.
• Ability to strategize, develop, and implement regional organizing campaigns.
• Ability to analyze, synthesize, and communicate various kinds of information to people with various learning styles, backgrounds, and life experiences.
• Ability to work cohesively and productively in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong interpersonal and relational skills.
• Strong communications skills – verbal and written.
• Excellent organizational skills including planning, time management, and information management.
• Skills that have been well developed in effective listening, strategic thinking, advocacy, observation, eliciting information, persuasion, and influencing.
• Ability to build, facilitate, and lead teams of members, leaders, and community partners.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and respond to deadlines while working on multiple tasks.
• Ability to exercise independent and expert judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness with collaboration as appropriate.
• Ability to identify and analyze diverse options in determining an appropriate course of action and initiative to implement corrective action.
• Ability to perform duties with a high level of efficiency and accuracy.
• Experience in developing, motivating, training, and maintaining cadres of volunteers and activists.
• Ability to work independently within the association, with affiliates and outside organizations/agencies important to the accomplishment of association goals.
• Ability to interact effectively and frequently with individuals and groups both inside and outside the association in unstructured situations.
• Ability in working with confidential data and maintaining confidentiality.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating labor union organizing and/or community organizing.
• Broad understanding of critical issues and problems facing public education employees and their organizations.
• Has or is able to obtain and maintain a valid US driver's license that complies with the State of Maryland. Frequent driving is required.

Compensation
Salary: The starting salary range for this position is $97,063 – $146,418

Date of Employment: As soon as possible
Submission deadline: Open until filled
Email address: careers@mseanea.org

To Apply:
Interested applicants should submit a résumé, cover letter and employment application to the email address above. Applications can be downloaded from the MSEA Careers website at marylandeducators.org. All applications must be typed.

MSEA is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
MSEA is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at MSEA are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or disability.