Communications Director

Working America, the community affiliate of the AFL-CIO, is the fastest growing organization for working people in the country. With more than 3 million members recruited since 2003, Working America organizes and mobilizes people who do not have a union on the job in support of working families’ issues.

The Communications Director is responsible for supervising a high-performing communications team and managing the overall messaging strategy for Working America and the Working America Education Fund. The Communications Director will work closely with the Executive Director to set strategic communications goals for the organization and to raise Working America’s public profile

Reports to: Executive Director

Duties:

• In consultation with Executive Director, develop and implement over-arching communications strategy for Working America;
• Ensure message continuity across all areas of communications program;
• Develop professional relationships and maintain regular contact with communications leaders within the AFL-CIO, the progressive community, and the media;
• Effectively recommend hiring, promoting, demoting, disciplining and termination of
• communications staff;
• Work with communications staff to prioritize and synchronize messaging and work product; Manage incoming requests for communication assets by affiliate organizations, allies and other Working America staff as needed;
• Review and approve vendor contracting (e.g. CRMs, ad vendors, design firms, etc.);
• Review and approve both online and print communications, including the overall content and design of Working America’s website(s), blog, Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets;
• Ensure good communication, collaboration and appropriate review with allies and affiliated organizations on messaging-related projects and campaigns;
• Assist in supervision, execution and promotion of special events as needed;
• Serve as media spokesperson as needed;
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

The Communications Director should have a demonstrated ability to manage a dynamic communications team in a fast-paced and rapidly evolving work environment. Fluency in the realm of political ideas and public intellectual discourse with particular insight to issues related to the labor movement is strongly preferred. She/he must be an independent thinker who is able to manage both departmental staff and individual responsibilities, often under tight deadlines.

Additional qualifications include:

• Demonstrated ability to successfully oversee large-scale, multi-faceted communications projects;
• Ability to message to varied audiences;
• Experience in various communications platforms, including traditional press and social media, preferred;
• Ability to build, motivate and work within a team to accomplish project goals;
• Outstanding staff supervision, communication and interpersonal skills;
• Demonstrated understanding of planning and executing print and online campaigns for labor unions or similar organizations (e.g. think tank, political organization, academic institution, etc.);
• Demonstrated commitment to social change, with a background in, or strong familiarity with the labor movement, movements for progressive change and/or political/issue campaigns;
• Effective time management skills, including prioritizing and managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate and work well with internal and external staff at all levels;
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and able to adapt quickly to meet project needs;
• Ability to work with grassroots and community movements to plan, develop and implement messaging and other related projects;
• Experience with or understanding of content management systems (CMS) preferred;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to travel as necessary;
• Ability to work long and irregular hours as necessary;
• Other duties as assigned.

Location:

• Washington, DC

Position Type:

• Full-time/Regular

Salary is competitive and includes medical insurance and 401(k) with employer contribution. Working America is an equal opportunity employer. To apply, please email a resume and cover letter to work@workingamerica.org, or fax a resume and cover letter to 202-508-6900.

American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations

*Temporary - Fund position, not to exceed three (3) years

OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITES 
The Community Lead Organizer will be charged with developing and supporting working relationships between labor and community allies on the local level.  They will work with the AFL-CIO State Federations, Central Labor Councils and/or Area Labor Federations throughout the state to develop and execute a unified strategic community outreach plan.

The primary work of each  Community Lead Organizer  will be to Assist state federation, and local and area labor councils to create labor and community based coalitions and partnerships by engaging community-based  and civil rights groups, faith-based, youth and student organizations, worker centers, and other progressive organizations and linking them with the local labor movement around issue, legislative, organizing, and political campaigns and efforts that highlight working family issues and help advance a shared agenda around good jobs, access to quality health care, quality public education, affordable housing, racial justice, immigrants’ rights, environmental  stewardship and other social justice concerns.

The Community Lead Organizer is part of the state campaign team working under the lead of the State Campaign Director.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

• Work with the State Federation and designated Central Labor Councils and/or Area Labor  Federations within the state to map and analyze existing relationships among unions and community and grassroots organizations in the State 
• Identify potential new relationships that would grow the capacity of the labor movement to represent the interests of all workers. 
• Develop a detailed plan for the State Federation, targeted area and local councils for each targeted ally group, with the goal of building strategic and enduring relationships at the local level. 
• Assist in carrying out all aspects of that plan including:

1.  
   1. Developing and implementing the plan within local and area councils.
   2. Meeting with leaders and members of all faiths, civil rights and community organizations, and others to identify areas of common concern, and, where appropriate, develop a shared agenda and to take action.
   3. Identify, train and support grassroots leaders within labor and the community to build capacity for collective action.  
   4. Coordinate program and logistics for public events, mobilizations and other grass roots activity, as appropriate.
   5. Perform administrative tasks as necessary to support the community-labor work - for example, create and monitor a database of community contacts and information; develop on-going communications with community allies, etc.
   6. Participate in local structures as appropriate (coalitions, alliances) that maximize the effectiveness and engagement of local allied groups.
   7. Ensure that local relationships with allied organizations are complementary to relationships that the AFL-CIO has at the national and local level. 

Qualifications:

• 2 + years of union, community or political organizing experience.
• 2 + years experience working with a broad array of organizations in a coalitional or alliance formation on issues of social and economic justice at the local level.
• Demonstrated organizing experience in building unity among diverse groups and in recruiting and mobilizing others to take action.
• Experience working with the labor movement. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and drive effective and creative programs, convene and facilitate meetings and balance the interests of various stakeholders.
• Willingness to work long, irregular hours.
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Computer proficiency is required; database/spreadsheet, email, internet, word processing, social networking skills.
• Ability and active license to drive a car.
• Excellent listening, interpersonal and problem solving skills.
• Spanish language or other language ability preferred. 
• Ability to work long hours and weekends as required.

Please send all resumes, references and a cover letter to the AFL-CIO Human Resources Department.

Equal Opportunity Employer

American Federation of Labor –

Congress of Industrial Organizations

*Temporary - Fund position, not to exceed three (3) years

OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Data Coordinator will work to manage the Labor Action Network (LAN) and other campaign technology in assigned battleground states.  Will work with AFL-CIO, State Federation, Labor Council and affiliate staff to create the product necessary and develop reports for political and issue mobilization campaigns.

The Data coordinator is part of the state campaign team and works under the lead of the State Campaign Director.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

• Coordinate the day to day operation of the Labor Action Network in the state.
• Monitor usage of the LAN and make sure all activities conform to the AFL-CIO Executive Policy on membership list security and the security and usage policy of the LAN.
• Coordinate and prepare product from the LAN, including: walks, membership phone contacts, mailing and e-mail communications.
• Offer training and technical support to AFL-CIO, State Federation, Labor Council and Affiliate Staff who are approved users on the operation of the LAN system and WFT systems.
• Produce regular reports on the use of the LAN and campaign activity including output requests, ID’s collected, and all information on volunteers/events/worksites/LU activity.
• Work with AFL-CIO, State Federation, Labor Council and Affiliates to develop strategies on how to best integrate all Technology tools including the WFT and LAN system into their own political//issues program.
• Coordinate the usage of other campaign technology in the state  and train AFL-CIO, State Federation, Labor Council and Affiliate Staff on its’ usage as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience developing, designing and creating databases.
• Familiarity with application development a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with CVS, Access and Excel databases.
• Experience in electoral political and issue campaigns.
• Knowledge of and experience with both national and local structures of the labor movement
• Experience with the labor movement preferred and knowledge of the labor political program a plus.
• Experience coordinating a component of a political campaign
• Ability to work independently
• Demonstrated experience working successfully in political sensitive and high-pressure environments.
• Excellent listening, interpersonal, communication and problem solving skills
• Demonstrate ability to work effectively in teams, in a lead and support role.
• Effective time management skills, including demonstrated ability manage and prioritize multiple tasks and projects.
• Ability to work long and extended hours as need.
• Must be able to travel for long periods at a time.

Please send all resumes, references and a cover letter to the AFL-CIO Human Resources Department.

Equal Opportunity Employer

American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations

Title: Senior Lead Researcher
Department: Organizing
Location: Washington, DC [Headquarters]

*Temporary - Fund position, not to exceed three (3) years

OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Center for Strategic Research, an arm of the AFL-CIO Organizing Department, provides strategic planning, corporate research, industry research, and issue research to support the AFL-CIO organizing program.

The Senior Lead Researcher is expected to lead joint federation/affiliate research team organizing projects.  The Senior Lead Researcher is expected to play a key role in overall campaign planning, including worker, community and strategic elements and can staff representatives from local and national unions.  The Senior Lead Researcher is also expected to recruit and mentor staff, as well as work with affiliates on implementing AFL-CIO programs.  The Senior Lead Researcher participates in developing CSR program.

The Senior Lead Researcher works at his/her own initiative, independent of all but necessary supervision by CSR management.  The Senior Lead Researcher must coordinate work closely with other Organizing Department staff and management, as well as other AFL-CIO departments, affiliate staff and leadership. The Senior Lead Researcher is a member of CSR Senior Staff.  The Senior Lead Researcher is not involved in supervisory or personnel decisions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Campaign and Operational Duties

• Activates different levels of the AFL-CIO structure to help coordinate Federation resources supporting campaign.
• Works with affiliate staff on local and national level to develop and support campaign goals, strategies, and tactics.
• Develops plans, assembles resources and coordinates research components of campaign.
• Plays a central role in campaign planning, including worker, political, and community elements.
• Conducts and coordinates a broad array of research projects, including corporate and industry research, as well as quantitative studies employing modeling techniques.
• Builds effective coalitions with other unions and organizations.
• Has responsibility to monitor Federation resources and work to help ensure they are spent effectively.

Work CoordinationDuties

• Participates in recruitment of staff for projects.
• Mentors and guides staff.

Programmatic Duties

• Represents the Department and the AFL-CIO in internal and external forums as a leading technical expert and union/issue advocate; develops and maintains relationships with other AFL-CIO and affiliate staff, outside consultants, academics, community and issue activists, and others.
• Works with key staff from AFL-CIO, affiliates, politicians, and community groups to develop broad community, legal, political, and workers issues.
• Participates in CSR program analysis and goal setting.
• Participates in CSR strategic research capacity-building efforts (including recruitment, training, research systems, etc.).

Other

• Performs other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree or higher in relevant field preferred.
• At least seven years of relevant work experience and demonstrated success in relevant areas.
• Academic coursework in statistics and research methods required.
• Dissertation or lengthy research study preferred.
• Working knowledge of relevant industry laws and regulations.
• Effective time management skills, including prioritizing and managing multiple tasks, and demonstrated experience in personal work plans and goals.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in politically sensitive and high-pressure environments.
• Excellent listening, interpersonal, communication and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build teams and work effectively in a team environment in both a lead and a support role.
• Ability to work well in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to work independently within the context of a plan.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts while maintaining important and effective relationships.
• Computer proficiency is required; database/spreadsheet, email, internet and word processing.
• Ability to travel on a regular basis as needed, and for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work long hours and weekends as required.

Please send all resumes, references and a cover letter to the AFL-CIO Human Resources Department.

Equal Opportunity Employer

American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations

JOB TITLE:  Campaign Manager
DEPARTMENT:  Organizing
LOCATION: West Region
REPORTS TO: Director of Organizing, AFL-CIO

The AFL-CIO is seeking a Campaign Manager to lead the CLEAN Carwash Campaign, a labor-community partnership that supports workers organizing their own union in Los Angeles, CA.

The CLEAN Community Labor Environmental Action Network) Carwash Campaign is an innovative community-labor partnership whose mission is to support the efforts of car wash workers to improve their wages and working conditions, to secure on-the-job dignity and respect and to create a contractual mechanism that enables them to monitor and enforce their own rights.  To that end, carwash workers have formed the Carwash Workers Organizing Committee of the United Steelworkers (CWOC-USW) to organize and win union recognition by carwash employers.

The Campaign uses an industry-wide organizing strategy, which is guided by CWOC aided by a Community Advisory Board. The campaign employs a variety of advocacy tools, including worker action, education and leadership development, targeted litigation, regulatory action, community boycotts and pickets, civic engagement and public education.

The campaign aims to build a movement and the institution to ensure that the movement endures.

OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Campaign Manager is an AFL-CIO Organizing Department position that is part of the field operations team. The Manager will directly assist the United Steelworkers with the CLEAN Carwash Campaign in Los Angeles. In addition, the Manager may work directly with AFL-CIO affiliates in overseeing other comprehensive campaigns as directed. The Campaign Manager must possess a sufficient range of union and community organizing experience to direct a comprehensive campaign that brings together social movement and traditional union organizing. The Campaign Manager will be responsible for supervising, managing and training organizers and other staff. As part of a team, s/he will be responsible for directing and  e leading a campaign that engages carwash workers in targeted workplaces and in the larger community of carwash workers, and moves to action a broad range of faith, political and other community organizations to counter employer opposition, change the organizing climate within a community and leverage power for unions involved in organizing campaigns.
This position will report to the Organizing Department Director and adhere to all internal and external AFL-CIO policies, procedures, expectations and communication structures.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES :

• Development and implementation of a strategy that engages carwash workers in the workplace through traditional union organizing methods and community engagement, and in the larger carwash worker community through a variety of means, including development of the CWOC.
• Supervise organizers in identifying community leaders and maintaining a network of community leaders to support the Campaign in a designated area:
• Work with International and local union leaders, attorneys and staff to assist in the Campaign;
• Develop materials, work plans and accountability systems for implementation of campaign plans and supervising staff;
• Plan, coordinate and implement organizing support programs, including training of affiliate staff and database management;
• Oversee coordination and tracking of foundation grants and meeting of grant goals;
• Develop, coordinate and implement various Organizing Department campaigns and projects and their components;
• On a regular basis fully inform campaign staff about issues pertaining to departmental programs;
• Prepare and submit regular and ad hoc reports on departmental activities as required;
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of five to six years organizing - with at least three to four years in a lead capacity and demonstrated proficiency in lead organizer skills;
• Experience working with union leaders, attorneys, staff and members in successful campaigns;
• Experience in leading campaigns involving faith, community organization, political leaders, staff and members;
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff;
• Experience working in politically sensitive environments;
• Demonstrated ability to relate to and work with diverse groups of people;
• Strong writing, research and communications skills;
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines in a high pressure environment;
• Ability to work long and irregular hours and weekends;
• Ability to travel on a regular basis, sometimes for long periods and to relocate if needed;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently within the context of a plan;
• Effective  time management skills, including prioritizing and managing multiple tasks, and demonstrated experience in developing personal work plans and goals.
• Demonstrated ability to build teams and work effectively in a team environment in both a lead and a support role;
• Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts while maintaining important and effective relationships.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) required;.
• Familiarity with the Los Angeles labor movement and community organizations.

Salary: Negotiable depending on experience.  Benefits package provided.

To Apply: Please send resume, cover letter, and list of references no later than December 12, 2011, however, applications will be considered as soon as they are submitted.

Send to: