General Description
The California Teachers Association is one of California’s largest and most dynamic labor unions. The Training and Strategic Initiatives Department (TSI) works with elected leadership, members, staff and other CTA departments to expand our union’s power by growing our local union capacity through implementing practical training programs, developing strategic responses to emerging threats to our union, schools and communities, and supporting multi-local coordinated campaigns that help us win bigger for our students.
As part of the TSI team, the TSI organizer will help our union build more power and drive improvements in educators' working conditions and students' learning conditions through developing and implementing member and staff training; coordinating complicated bargaining, organizing, and grassroots campaigns; building strong worker committees; and administering statewide union leadership development programs.
The position requires an understanding of and extensive experience in local and large-scale strategic and comprehensive campaign planning and implementation; leadership development theory and practice; team building and deployment, particularly related to staff teaming in cross-functional/cross-departmental settings; staff and member training analysis, targeting, and large-scale deployment; design and creation of training-of-trainer and online training programs; and adult learning theory and practice. Additionally, the position requires successful track record leading: union organizing and bargaining campaigns within California’s public education sector; organizing committee building and member engagement planning and execution, particularly in difficult/hostile environments, such as those involving active anti-union campaigns in the private and/or public sector without agency fee support.
Strong interpersonal communication skills with specific expertise in dealing with difficult situations, such as strike buildup and execution, as well as the ability to effectively design, target, and direct resources for maximum organizational effect, are important components of the job. Excellent peer leadership, oral, and written skills, along with competency in using technology, including distance/digital communications and online training platforms, will be essential assets.
This is a statewide position and travel will be required.
Duties and Responsibilities
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Serves as a strategic planner, campaigner, organizer, and trainer to enable and expand effective site-based organizing and high-participation campaigns that get results through collective action and community coalitions.
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Coordinates cross-local strategic organizing, issue, and contract campaigns while working with regional management, staff, leaders, members, and community allies.
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Designs, delivers, and coordinates staff and member training to build union power using a variety of adult teaching techniques appropriate for action-oriented education, including online training programs, training through campaigns, and train the trainer programs.
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Creates systems and methods for tracking progress on the Association’s strategic goals, including increasing member engagement and Chapter strength, as well as designing intervention plans in cases when those goals are not sufficiently addressed.
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Assists in shaping strategy/tactics and developing/implementing campaign plans in a complex organizational environment to strengthen the union and win on campaign issues.
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Successfully prepares action-oriented presentations and presents complex information in an easy-to-understand manner that effectively frames the strategic issues and advances campaigns.
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Responsible for organizing activities, conducting site visits and membership recruitment, as assigned.
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Proactive, takes responsibility to ensure program success, works collaboratively with a team, and handles multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with tight timelines and delivers results.
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Actively contributes to team goals, fosters a positive team environment, maintains collaborative relationships with diverse staff and membership, and works effectively across roles and departments.
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Ensures projects are aligned with union goals and provides excellent project management with attention to detail.
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Designs and assists in the deployment of programs for building stronger chapters and developing local leaders.
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Performs other related duties as may be assigned by the Executive Director or their designee.
Qualifications
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Bachelor's or higher degree preferred.
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Experience and proven track record coordinating high participation campaigns, including contract campaigns, electoral field campaigns, union recognition campaigns and large-scale issue organizing campaigns.
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Experience and demonstrated skill in organizational development; staff and member training program development/deployment; curriculum development; online training development; organizing; and leadership development.
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Experience and proven track record developing and implementing strategic campaign plans that include clear assessments of strategic leverage opportunities to move important decision makers.
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Experience and proven track record leading successful campaigns that prevail over anti-union tactics.
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Proven track record of running union programs and campaigns from concept to completion, program development and management, including coordinating resources, timelines, staff, and deliverables across multiple teams or departments.
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Proven track record building strong worker organizing committees and developing worker leader capacity to run successful campaigns.
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An experienced organizer/campaigner with a relentless drive to surpass campaign/program goals, who demonstrates a proactive approach, thrives under pressure, has the tenacity to tackle challenges head-on, and excels in a fast-paced, dynamic, rapidly changing environment.
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Demonstrated knowledge and experience related to California collective bargaining, including impasse and strike buildup.
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Broad understanding of the critical issues facing California public schools and the education profession, including threats of privatization.
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Ability to analyze information, identify issues/problems and develop strategies/solutions.
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Demonstrated ability to coordinate and lead peers, and to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
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Ability to take initiative, work collaboratively with a team, handle multiple assignments in a fast-paced union environment with tight timelines, and deliver results.
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Demonstrated support for racial, social, and economic justice, workers’ rights, and well-funded public education.
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Proficiency in the use of computer technology, Microsoft Suite and the ability to learn and use the Association's software programs necessary to support bargaining, organizing, training programs, and communications.
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Ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver’s license.
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Ability to work and travel regularly, including evenings and weekends.
- This position is in a bargaining unit represented by CSO. Salaries are established by a collective bargaining agreement. Step placement is also determined by the CTA/CSO Agreement.
