Organizer

United Domestic Workers of America, UDW/AFSCME Local 3930 is a statewide labor union representing over 200,000 home care and family child care providers across 45 California counties. Founded in 1979, UDW is a diverse, progressive labor organization advocating for racial justice, income equality, and affordable healthcare. We champion respect and dignity for seniors, people with disabilities, and children while fighting for better working conditions, fair pay, and full funding for programs like In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and subsidized family child care.

About the role

As an Organizer, you will recruit, train, and mobilize members to build worker power and advance organizational priorities through effective organizing, leadership development, and campaign execution. You will engage with workers, facilitate meetings and trainings, and support the growth of organizing committees and action teams. The role involves developing communication systems, building coalitions with community partners, and representing the union at events while ensuring accurate data management and administrative compliance.

Organizers at higher levels will also develop campaign materials, coordinate strategic initiatives, mentor member leaders, and contribute to the planning and evaluation of organizing efforts.

Responsibilities

• Organizer I
  • Independently organize assigned turf, including membership and recruitment, leader and activist recruitment and development.
  • Conduct member training and meetings, and build worker organization (e.g., organizing committees, contract action teams, councils).
  • Recruit union membership through Orientations, House Visits, Area Information Meetings (AIMs), Membership Meetings, New Member Recruitment Appointments, special events, and trainings.
  • Develop organizing skills of member organizers and identify, recruit, train, and develop union leaders.
  • Assist leadership in developing and executing campaign plans (e.g., budget issues, contract negotiations, worker safety).
  • Develop communication systems to reach members and providers effectively.
  • Build coalitions with community groups and organizations.
  • Maintain work files and comply with administrative reporting.
  • Organize, mobilize, and engage workers around worksite issues, politics, public policy, and other relevant issues.
  • Support and facilitate training programs and workshops for union members and leaders.
  • Represent the union at conferences, conventions, and professional events.
  • Meet statewide goals and deadlines.
  • Assess and evaluate turf, leaders, organizing campaigns, and initiatives; implement corrective measures as needed.
  • Accurately collect and update membership data to monitor participation.
  • Assist with department projects and other duties as assigned.
• Organizer II
  • All duties of an Organizer I, plus:
  • Write leaflets and materials for campaigns, projects, and organizing initiatives.
  • Support staff development, training, and team building.
  • Develop and maintain ties with partner organizations, allies, and community leaders.
  • Inform supervisor of campaign activities, developments, and progress.
  • Develop and coordinate campaigns, programs, contract negotiations, elections, and strikes with guidance.
  • Integrate politics, community relationships, and organizing support into daily work.
  • Train and mentor member leaders to develop campaign strategies and plans.
  • Conduct regular assessments and evaluations of turf, leaders, and campaigns.
• Organizer III
  • All duties of Organizer I and II, plus:
  • Propose, execute, and evaluate strategic plans and work plans based on assigned goals.
  • Research the long-term care industry, funding, employers, and the role of the National Labor Relations Board.
  • Participate in selecting targets for external and internal organizing campaigns; research and analyze potential targets.
  • Assist in resolving members’ complaints and concerns.
  • Train and mentor member leaders and co-workers to develop campaign strategies.
  • Independently assess and evaluate turf, leaders, and campaigns; implement corrective measures.
  • Support teams of staff and workers to achieve key strategic or campaign objectives.

Requirements

• Strong strategic and critical thinking skills.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of labor rights and contract language; ability to learn quickly.
• Ability to work effectively in team settings and independently.
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task assignments and responsibilities.
• Adaptability to changing environments and ability to work under pressure.
• Cultural competence to work with diverse communities.
• Active listening and self-reflection to support a culture of learning.
• Ability to work independently, organize time, and demonstrate self-motivation.
• Ability to hold oneself and team accountable to commitments and outcomes.
• Analytical and strategic thinking to contribute to campaign planning.
• Demonstrated ability to meet membership and recruitment outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to assess, identify, recruit, and develop workers as leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to build worker organization and lead teams of members.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the long-term care industry and labor laws.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work collaboratively in teams.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate data and use it to guide decisions.
• Proven experience solving complex issues in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with diverse groups, elected officials, and community organizations.
• Ability to work cooperatively in cross-functional teams.
• Commitment to unions and supporting members’ voices.
• Computer and digital literacy relevant to the position.
• Valid California driver’s license, auto insurance covering business driving, and an automobile for business use.
• Willingness to work long and irregular hours, including nights and weekends.
• Willingness to travel.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent (required).
• Union or Organizing Experience: 6 months to 7+ years of significant experience in union or comparable organizing roles.
• Leadership Experience: 6 months to 7+ years of demonstrated experience leading members or coworkers in team settings.
• Campaign Experience: 6 months to 7+ years of experience working on growth or bargaining campaigns.
• Core Competencies: Proven ability to execute core organizing competencies.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and public speaking abilities.
• Technical Skills: Strong computer proficiency and comfort with technology.
• Subject Matter Knowledge:
  • Familiarity with the California Child Care System.
  • Understanding of the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program.
• Experience Levels:
  • Organizer I: 6 months to 2 years of relevant experience.
  • Organizer II: 3 to 6 years of relevant experience.
  • Organizer III: 7 or more years of extensive union or comparable organizing experience.
• Preferred Languages: Bilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, Russian, Assyrian, Somali, or Arabic.

Pay

• Organizer I: $68,640.00 to $82,212.00
• Organizer II: $69,888.00 to $86,322.60
• Organizer III: $73,382.40 to $90,638.73

Schedule

Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (subject to change).

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life / AD&D
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Pension Plan
• Paid Vacation Days
• Paid Sick Leave
• Personal Day (8 hours)
• 16 Paid Holidays
• Floating Holiday
• Upskilling through eLearning platforms
• Staff Union Representation

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

• Regularly required to talk and listen.
• Frequently required to use hands or fingers, handle objects, tools, or controls.
• Required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Moderate noise level in the work environment.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

• Primarily exposed to an office-type environment with frequent use of office equipment and furniture.
• Low to moderate noise level in the work environment.
• Frequently work with deadlines under pressure and occasionally work alone.
• Occasionally exposed to outdoor environments, including vehicles.