Political Organizer I

SEIU Local 2015; Watsonville (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

SEIU Local 2015 seeks an Entry-level Political Organizer in Watsonville, California. The role involves building political leadership at the grassroots level, executing campaign plans, and recruiting member leaders. Ideal candidates will have experience with political campaigns, basic computer skills, and the ability to work irregular hours.

This position requires a valid driver's license and willingness to travel throughout California. The organization values Diversity, Accountability, and Empowerment.

Qualifications

• Experience with political campaigns and/or related experience.
• Willingness to work long, irregular hours including evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver's license and automobile for work.
• Ability to demonstrate the organization's core values.

Responsibilities

• Conduct COPE Fundraising as a primary duty.
• Meet membership sign-up goals.
• Plan political teams in assigned turf.
• Recruit and develop member leaders through outreach.
• Assist in developing member leaders by conducting trainings.

Skills

Experience with political campaigns

Basic computer literacy

Strong personal planning skills

Ability to work with diverse backgrounds

Effective communication

Job description

Overview

Entry level Political Organizing position intended for candidates at the start of their political organizing career. Works at the grassroots level to build member political leadership and skill.

Duties and Responsibilities

• COPE Fundraising. This is seen as a primary duty of a political organizer.
• Membership sign‑up. In addition to COPE sign ups, political organizers are responsible for meeting membership sign‑up goals.
• Build, staff, and plan political teams in assigned turf with direct supervision.
• Assess, identify, recruit, and develop member leaders as they become political activists and leaders via house visits, worksite visits, organizing meetings, political team meetings, phone calls and literature.
• Prepare meeting agendas and other communication tools such as emails, fliers, etc. as needed.
• Implement electoral campaign plans for assigned campaigns.
• Staff, plan, and organize the local’s endorsement process and the SEIU One Voice Process.
• Build, plan, and track community and electoral relationships with direct supervision.
• Plan work as assigned; make and execute daily, weekly, and monthly work plans based on assigned goals and objectives.
• Assist in developing member leaders through conducting basic trainings providing appropriate tools to lead.
• Complete all required reporting of data, member outreach, etc.
• Lobby visits—schedule, plan, train member participants, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Prerequisites

• Experience with political campaigns and/or related experience.
• The ability to exercise discretion.
• Basic computer literacy on Windows-based computer programs to perform necessary campaign data management and administrative work.
• Willingness and ability to work long, irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Strong personal planning and time management skills.
• The ability to work with people from other cultures and backgrounds.
• Ability to demonstrate the organization's core values in day‑to‑day work.
• Ability to frame issues and articulate organizational values and priorities.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Having a valid driver's license, use of a car for work, and automobile insurance are mandatory conditions of employment in this role.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the state of California.

Qualifications Include the Ability To

• Connect members around the vision and political goals of the union.
• Identify, train, develop and mentor new member political leaders and activists.
• Execute campaign plans with clear goals, strategies and benchmarks.
• Develop and maintain a high level of teamwork, spirit, collaboration and mutual accountability within the department and with other departments.
• Balance conflicting demands successfully.
• Work independently.
• Deliver on quantitative and qualitative goals outlined for that month, quarter, and year.
• Carry out assigned responsibilities in a competent and professional manner in keeping with the local’s overall goals and expectations.
• Plan, recruit for, and execute endorsement processes for candidates.
• Lead the development of political teams in assigned turf.
• Develop relationships with community partners—including elected officials, the staff of elected officials, other local unions, non‑profits, and religious leaders.
• Coordinate political field activities, lobby visits, phone banking and events for our policy, legislative and electoral participation campaigns at the city, state and federal level.

Expected Behavior

The Political Organizer is expected to embrace, promote and demonstrate the organization's core values—Excellence, Diversity, Accountability, Transparency, Empowerment—which include but are not limited to:

• High ethical standards
• Train, develop, nurture and mentor members
• Encourage teamwork and participation by staff and members

Ensure outstanding representation of the organization to internal and external allies and constituents.

Physical Requirements

Work is generally performed in the field with members and outside constituents. Long and irregular hours required. Travel required.

Scope and Nature of Supervision

The Political Organizer reports directly to the Political Lead, Coordinator, Deputy Director or the Political Director.

Job descriptions are not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of every activity or responsibility that is required for each role.

SEIU Local 2015 is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to recruiting and hiring without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.