This position supports the NEA’s strategic objective to focus the energy and resources of its 3 million members toward the promotion of public education by providing a variety of professional services with strong emphasis on membership and organizing for the Local Growth and Strategic Field Opportunities Team in the Center for Organizing.
POSITION SUMMARY: The incumbent serves as a member of the Local Growth and Strategic Field Opportunities team providing organizing advice and assistance to assigned local and state affiliates on a variety of areas, such as developing and executing strategic organizing plans, organization development, strategic planning, capacity building, team building, and education reform. The work includes partnering with other NEA Centers to organize around state and federal policy issues and develop strategies to assist affiliates in achieving NEA’s strategic goals. The incumbent will model and provide hands-on coaching and training to organizing projects and campaigns, with the intent of developing skills and capacity among field staff, UniServ staff, local leaders, worksite leaders and activists for the purpose of increasing membership and organizing successfully in new markets. The incumbent will partner with state and local affiliates to recruit and train trainers in the basics of organizing, develop a variety of materials to support, present and report on progress in the targeted sites and promote mutually developed effective strategies and programs to affiliates and NEA. The incumbent will also coordinate with NEA and state communications staff to deliver strategic communications in targeted sites to grow and engage membership as well as aid the field teams in assessing and sharing their learnings with our stakeholders as a basis for developing and scaling effective membership organizing strategies in all affiliates. The employee uses effective interpersonal skills and an understanding of group/human dynamics to develop and promote organizing/capacity-building strategies. To carry out these responsibilities, the incumbent submits regular reports and uses a computer and/or laptop, associated software, and other office automation technology and travels extensively by various conveyances, including driving a car.
_IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA), THE FOLLOWING IS PROVIDED: _ The position involves creative and analytical thinking; oral and written communication skills; meticulous attention to detail; human relations skills; use of computer keyboard; sitting, standing or walking for long periods; stooping, bending, and reaching; and stamina to work long hours and ability to travel by various conveyances, e.g., automobile, plane.
Required Skills
MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills may be obtained. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Experience as an employee on an Association staff or an advocacy organization with primary duties in one or more of the following areas: organizing, strategic planning, crisis management, collective bargaining, public relations, communications, and/or legislative/political action. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Writing samples (training, facilitation, strategic planning, reports, etc.) may be required at time of interview. Must be able to work weekends and late evenings. Extensive travel (over 90 overnights per year) is required. Must possess a valid driver’s license.
Required Experience
SELECTION CRITERIA: TIER 1 (ESSENTIAL): Demonstrated field experience in an accepted distributive organizing model related to membership growth & retention. Demonstrated experience in training on the basics of organizing. Demonstrated experience and accomplishments in advancing a culture of organizing by working with member and staff leaders as well as rank and file members in problem solving, conflict management, and creative and critical thinking. Demonstrated ability to lead campaigns in conceptualizing, planning, and executing timely, within budget, outcome oriented and mutually-developed goals while using data analytics to shape and guide the ongoing work. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with management to ensure campaigns are executed with fidelity and to proactively communicate and troubleshoot issues during implementation. Demonstrated excellent communication (both oral and written), interpersonal, and analytical skills. Demonstrated ability to participate as a professional team member in collaborative activities, including demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with team members and with diverse client systems. Proven effective consultation, coaching, presentation, training, and facilitation skills, including experience synthesizing information and designing distributive training curricula for multiple purposes. Demonstrated effectiveness producing written products under exacting timeframes and shifting priorities/conditions. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects in conjunction with the demands of extensive travel. Significant experience in and knowledge of organizing, collective bargaining, membership recruitment and retention strategies. Successful references. TIER 2 (SIGNIFICANT): Demonstrated high motivation level and ability to self-start and willingness to take risks by experimenting with new techniques and strategies for business solutions. Demonstrated positive attitude and a growth-orientation, as well as an openness toward continual learning and self-development. Demonstrated ability to support NEA and affiliate partnership and coalition efforts with other organizations. Demonstrated effective skills in developing and maintaining productive trust relationships. TIER 3 (DESIRABLE): Experience in and knowledge of organizational development/effectiveness, project design, development, tracking and whole person development. Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
Interested candidates should apply online at www.nea.org/jobs.
NEA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER AND ENCOURAGES WOMEN, MINORITIES AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO APPLY.
MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills may be obtained. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Experience as an employee on an Association staff or an advocacy organization with primary duties in one or more of the following areas: organizing, strategic planning, crisis management, collective bargaining, public relations, communications, and/or legislative/political action. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Writing samples (training, facilitation, strategic planning, reports, etc.) may be required at time of interview. Must be able to work weekends and late evenings. Extensive travel (over 90 overnights per year) is required. Must possess a valid driver’s license.