Union Organizer – Peninsula Area

SEIU Local 521; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

401(K)

Flexible savings accounts

Life insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

SEIU Local 521 is seeking an Internal Organizer to recruit, train, and support members and stewards across the Peninsula area. The role involves planning worksite campaigns, coordinating communications, and assisting in contract negotiations to advance worker power.

You will engage diverse workers, build leadership, and drive outreach while coordinating with union leadership and campaigns. The position requires frequent travel and flexible hours in a public-sector and non-profit context.

Qualifications

• Willingness to travel frequently within the local jurisdiction.
• Willingness to work long and irregular hours, including nights and weekends.
• Strong commitment to social and economic justice and to organizing the unorganized through the labor movement.
• At least one year of full-time external organizer or equivalent organizing experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; good listening required.
• Ability to create and execute detailed organizing plans.
• Ability to engage workers across diverse ethnic, social, economic, and occupational groups.
• Good judgment and prioritization when facing many tasks.
• Ability to think strategically and adapt to changing situations.
• Basic computer literacy and willingness to use technology.
• Team player.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Identify, recruit, train, develop stewards, officers, and leaders.
• Lead and assist in developing plans for worksite campaigns on issues like public budgets, contracts, safety.
• Create or assist in member communication systems; write/edit leaflets, proposals, newsletters, etc.
• Negotiate or assist in contract negotiations from proposals through strike prep.
• Monitor stewards and officers in representational duties, include grievances and appeals.
• Meet timelines and procedures related to labor contracts, bylaws, and policies.
• Encourage participation in political and lobbying activities; help members hold officials accountable.
• Lead residual organizing campaigns; recruit members.
• Lead staff or community-based committees; serve as a spokesperson.

Skills

Travel willingness

Flexible hours

Social justice commitment

Organizing experience

Communication skills

Planning ability

Diversity outreach

Strategic thinking

Tech-literacy

Team player

Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

Job description

SEIU Local 521 is seeking an Internal Organizer to recruit, train, and support members and stewards across the Peninsula area. The role involves planning worksite campaigns, coordinating communications, and assisting in contract negotiations to advance worker power.

You will engage diverse workers, build leadership, and drive outreach while coordinating with union leadership and campaigns. The position requires frequent travel and flexible hours in a public-sector and non-profit context.