Union Organizer (Swahili Speakers Preferred)

About SEIU 775

SEIU 775 represents more than 60,000 long-term care workers providing quality home care, nursing home care, and residential services in Washington, Montana, and Alaska. SEIU 775’s mission is to unite the strength of all caregivers, to create a better life for ourselves and those we care for, and to lead the way to a more just and equitable world.

About This Role

Organizers in our Growth Department at SEIU 775 help workers form unions by identifying and developing worker leaders, engaging with workers 1-on-1 and in groups, and by mobilizing members and the community to support a pro-worker agenda. Growth organizers work in coalition with other unions and community groups to support low-wage worker organizing across industries and across the region and country. 

The Growth department at SEIU 775 values experience and we also foster an environment where organizers have opportunity to grow through mentorship, development programs and on the ground training. This is a temporary project-based organizing position. If you successfully complete the program, there is the potential to be hired as a full-time employee.

Location: Based out of SEIU 775 HQ (Seattle)

Essential Functions:

• Engage, motivate, and activate worksite leaders and member organizers around a vision of union difference 
• Conduct broad and intensive outreach efforts to non-union workers
• Build one-on-one relationships with workers
• Identify, recruit, and develop worker leaders
• Conduct individual and group meetings with workers to move organizing campaigns forward.
• Plan and carry out effective organizing campaigns
• Mobilize actions and events to support worker organizing efforts
• Engage workers in our fight to promote racial justice and combat white supremacy
• Work with non-union workers to successfully form powerful unions
• May be required to do political work for candidates and member political education as part of job duties.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills & Abilities:

• Professional experience in union organizing or community-based organizing
• Developed understanding about how to find and activate workplace leaders 

Minimum Qualifications: (Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job may be considered.)

• Demonstrated commitment to social & economic justice
• Ability to work independently & with a team
• Willingness to conduct work site visits and home visits
• Strong planning, time-management, and problem-solving skills
• Willingness to work with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Ability to work long and irregular hours, including nights and weekends
• Excellent listening, oral and written communication skills
• Basic computer literacy and ability to learn necessary technology tools
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed
• A drivers’ license, a car, automobile insurance, and a cell phone with NW regional coverage

Preferred Qualifications

• Fluency (written and spoken) in English and at least one additional language:
  • Languages of particular interest include: Swahili (subject to change based on recruitment needs).
• Prior experience as a union organizer, labor organizer, community organizer, or field organizer.
• Experience leading organizing campaigns involving worker organizing, collective action, leadership development, or membership growth.
• Experience building relationships with coalition partners, community organizations, and labor allies.
• Familiarity with labor law, union election processes, card check campaigns, neutrality agreements, and worker organizing strategies.

Typical Working Conditions: The typical working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, requirements include:

• Frequent travel to member homes, community locations, and worksites within assigned turf.
• Regular in-person engagement with union members, leaders, organizers, and community partners.
• Work performed in a mix of office, field, and community environments, including union halls, meeting spaces, and event venues.
• Fast-paced, campaign-oriented environment requiring flexibility, adaptability, and strong organizational skills.
• Schedule includes frequent evenings and weekends to support trainings, member meetings, orientations, and statewide events.
• Frequent communication through phone, text, email, and virtual platforms to coordinate member outreach and field activity.
• Work involves handling confidential information related to members, campaigns, and internal strategies.
• May be required work outside of normal business hours to include weekends, evenings, holidays, etc.

Physical Working Conditions: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, requirements include:

• Frequent driving across assigned turf and occasional statewide or out-of-state travel, sometimes requiring overnight stays.
• Extended periods of standing, walking, and speaking during events, orientations, trainings, or meetings.
• Regular use of standard office equipment (computers, phones, printers) and mobile technology.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, or transporting materials up to 25 pounds (e.g., event supplies, printed materials, banners).
• Ability to navigate varied environments, including community centers, homes, public spaces, and meeting venues.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, automobile insurance, and a cellphone.

Compensation:

Providing current or previous salary information is optional and will not be factored into hiring decisions. Prospective Employees covered by the CBA can request a copy of the wage scale, the CBA, and any current relevant MOUs upon application to the position.

This position is temporary, full-time, exempt. This position is not included in the Bargaining Unit. Pay ranges from $87,633 – $104,729 per year. Benefits include fully paid health, dental, vision, 1 vacation day and 1 sick day per month, WFH credit, and more.

Women and diversity candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

SEIU 775 is an affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates without regard for race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, creed, gender, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetics, the presence of sensory, mental or physical disability, or any other discrimination prohibited by law. SEIU 775 works to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforces policies against discrimination and sexual harassment.

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, creed, gender, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetics, the presence of sensory, mental or physical disability, or any other discrimination prohibited by law. In addition to federal law requirements, we comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.