Staff Representative

Overview

AFSCME Council 13 is the public service union for Pennsylvanians, representing over 60,000 workers across the Commonwealth. Members care for the vulnerable and elderly, allow students to focus on learning, run correctional facilities, maintain public resources, and ensure Pennsylvania runs smoothly. The union organizes for dignity and respect and fights for a voice on the job.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implements the AFSCME Organizing Model, Organizing Principles, and AFSCME Strong tenets into local representational programs.
• Actively promotes Council 13’s vision for building strength and achieving growth to current and potential members and guides their activity as a representative of Council 13.
• Develops and implements strategies to involve union members in activities that build the local union's capacity to represent and mobilize workers effectively.
• Handles all aspects of representation, including arbitrations and grievances; labor management relations; contract negotiations; filing deadlines; and other representational duties associated with servicing a local.
• Oversees member sign-up and orientation programs, including identifying and developing member leaders and conducting outreach directly as needed.
• Guides and supports member leaders in strategy around contract campaigns, contract negotiations, anti-privatization fights, bargaining unit accretions, sector coordination, and other leading programs of the union.
• Serves as a resource person for given area(s) of focus, overseeing and driving program within a specified subset, sector, or agency of AFSCME members.
• Maintains regular communication with leaders and members through local union meetings, job site visits, one-on-one meetings, and house visits to build member rapport, share victories, make assessments, problem solve, and move program and support priorities of locals and Council 13.
• Identifies and develops worksite leaders. Trains, assesses, and recommends potential volunteer member organizers from within the AFSCME membership.
• Monitors, coordinates, and drives program within a specified subset, sector, or agency of AFSCME members and serves as resource person for given area(s) of focus.
• Trains, assesses, and recommends potential volunteer member organizers from within the AFSCME membership.
• Identifies opportunities in day-to-day servicing activities to increase participation from members and build power in the workplace.
• Relays major turf developments and metrics on a regular, timely, and proactive basis using assigned data tools. Tracks progress on campaigns, work plans, and initiatives within turf.
• Collaborates with the Council 13 Organizing Department to explore organizing targets to gather data and information, build worker lists, assess interest, and conduct meetings with organizing committees and other workers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Seasoned proficiency in labor unions, labor relations, and servicing union members.
• Effective one-on-one communications.
• High level of oral and written communication, including reading, writing, and speaking.
• Exercising sound judgment, discretion, and ability to compare and evaluate potential courses of action.
• Time management and self-discipline in an unstructured work environment.
• Planning and coordinating work activities including via work plans, keeping detailed records, and filing reports in a timely manner.
• Planning and running meetings and actions.
• Ability to present information persuasively and engage groups of various sizes.
• Ability to learn and apply organizing concepts to locals with different needs and challenges.
• Interacting in a professional manner with members and management representatives.
• Ability to foster and maintain strong interpersonal relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of computers and applicable software (word processing, spreadsheets).
• Ability to work long hours independently to accomplish union’s objectives.
• A demonstrated commitment to self-reflection and professional growth is preferred.
• Sustained union member activism and leadership may be considered towards years of experience, along with other forms of relevant advocacy, on a case-by-case basis.
• An applicable Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or law degree may be applied towards years of experience.

Physical Requirements

• Work is performed in a variety of employment settings including workers’ homes, neighborhoods, and worksites.
• Driving, travel, overnight stays, temporary assignments, and extended work hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Benefits

• Health insurance for employee and family, including medical, prescription drug, vision, dental and hearing (employee contributes percentage of salary)
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan (jointly paid)
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation 401(k) Savings Plan with employer match
• Field Package (monthly travel and cell phone allowance, insurance stipend, reimbursed expenses)
• Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death benefits
• 3 weeks earned vacation per year (after one year of service)
• 1 ½ days earned sick leave per month (accrued)
• 12 paid holidays per year
• 3 Personal Days (pro-rated in first year)
• Paid holiday release between Christmas and New Year’s Day

How To Apply

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to recruiting@afscme13.org. Please include position title and local number (if you are a current member of an AFSCME local) in the subject heading of your application email.