Washington Education Association

UniServ Director
WEA Lower Columbia

Based in Longview, WA

 

Location: Longview, Washington
Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Summary
The Washington Education Association (WEA) Lower Columbia UniServ Director will apply their experience as a union organizer and collective bargaining expert to support and help strengthen locals in the WEA Lower Columbia UniServ Council. This includes 24 local unions, more than 1,700 K-12 certificated educators, K-12 classified staff, and community college educators. The UniServ Director works with other WEA staff and elected local union leaders in the WEA Lower Columbia UniServ Council office in Longview, in addition to supporting WEA’s statewide programs. WEA is Washington’s largest union.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Salary range (LEVEL 5) - $140,397 to $192,779
• Employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance (full family coverage)
• Generous sick and paid time off (PTO)
• Long-term disability plan
• Defined Contribution plan - 401(k) (with employer contribution)
• Defined Benefit plan
• Relocation assistance
• Position covered by the WEA/WEASO Collective Bargaining Agreement

Responsibilities:

• Organize to help build strong local unions.
• Support WEA members in their efforts to build and exercise power at the state and local levels.
• Negotiate and enforce local collective bargaining agreements.
• Strengthen WEA membership and WEA-PAC (Political Action Committee) enrollment and identify opportunities to promote union membership and member engagement.
• Advocate for racial, social, and economic justice for WEA members, students, and communities.
• Provide local, regional, and statewide member, leader, and staff support for worker rights, advocacy, collective bargaining, bargaining campaigns, leadership and organizational development, strategic planning, internal organizing, community organizing, and new member organizing.
• Support professional development and training efforts for certificated educators and classified education support professionals.
• Provide counsel and advice to union leadership, WEA management, and members.
• Work collaboratively with staff, work teams, locals, districts, and community groups.
• Support the union’s political and legislative activities.
• In-state and out-of-state travel may be required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA degree or comparable experience.
• Demonstrated history and/or experience working with communities of color and/or with historically underrepresented groups to enhance civil-rights; experience with union activism and/or political engagement on behalf of civil rights issues.
• Collective bargaining experience with knowledge of the principles of collaborative and interest-based bargaining, problem-solving, and alternative dispute resolution.
• Demonstrated success organizing to build strong local associations.
• Record of organizing in one or more of the following areas: bargaining and crisis support, political campaigns, advocating for an issue, or similar.
• Ability to lead and work effectively in a fast-paced, team environment with other advocacy specialists, association staff, members, and leaders.
• Ability to develop and incorporate intermediate and long-range planning components into work assignments.
• Excellent communications skills.
• Experience advocating for individual or collective rights.
• Work in person in the WEA Lower Columbia UniServ Council office in Longview, WA.

COVID-19 Vaccination
As part of our commitment to the health and safety of our employees, members, and councils, all candidates must provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status upon hire. Exceptions may be made for medical or religious reasons in accordance with applicable laws.

Supervision
The successful incumbent will function as a member of the Advocacy & Organizing Center and will report to the Director or Manager of Advocacy and Organizing.

Application:

• If you are interested in applying for this position, please click on the Apply for This Job button to submit your application, cover letter, and résumé.
• If you are invited to an interview, you will receive an email from SkillSurvey with instructions and a link on how-to submit your five (5) professional references.
• Closing date is November 27, 2024, at 4:00pm PT.
• If you are interested in applying for this position, please apply HERE.

The Washington Education Association is committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where the contributions of each employee are respected as part of the work performed on behalf of 90,000+ members in public education. WEA embraces employees with varied backgrounds and life experiences, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical ability, and veteran status. Only those candidates who can commit to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness need apply.