Job Posting Advertisement
AFT-Oregon is seeking a full-time Field Representative (hybrid/remote based in Oregon).
Field representatives are responsible for assisting, advising, and training local leaders and activists in building a strong union. Responsibilities include developing issues-based organizing plans, building worksite leader systems, member organizing, negotiating bargaining agreements, handling grievance processes, and political activation and advocacy.
The ideal candidate will have three or more years of demonstrated experience organizing and bargaining. This hybrid/remote work position will become a part of a four-person team of Field Representatives at AFT-Oregon.
The position can be based in the Portland, Salem, Eugene/Corvallis areas and will require regular travel to the AFT-Oregon Portland office. Infrequent travel to Eastern and Southwest Oregon where member locals reside.
The position includes a competitive salary (DOE) and benefits package in accord with the United Employees Guild/AFT-Oregon Collective Bargaining Agreement, including full employer paid health insurance for employee and family and 12% retirement contribution after six months of hire.
Initial hiring salary will be at least $82,321 (Step 1 of Salary Schedule)
Salary placement depends on qualifications, experience, internal and external equity.
Application Materials
Please send resume, cover letter and list of three professional references (email, phone number and relationship. References will be contacted only if determined a finalist for the position) to: hiring@aft-oregon.org
Field Representative Job Description
Responsibilities and Essential Functions
- Provides leadership to bargaining teams engaged in labor contract negotiations. Helps recruit, coach and train the negotiation team with best practices. Supports the creation of bargaining plans and surveys. Recommends proposal development. Provides assistance with research, training, and data collection.
- Trains, advises and supports locals in contract enforcement, grievances, arbitrations, and administrative hearings. Conducts interviews, prepares arbitration documents, consults with legal advisors with AFT-Oregon leadership as needed.
- Maintains local files on bargaining grievances and arbitration
- Advises on contract development and compliance with current labor relations laws, state and local requirements, organizational procedures and processes.
- Assesses research needs, formulate research questions and goals. Interprets and applies relevant rules and laws.
- Develops and integrates local leaders and members into AFT-Oregon's political and legislative programs, supports internal local capacity for forming political and legislative officers or committees, and coordinates political and legislative engagement with AFT-Oregon’s political team.
- Trains new leaders with organizing and political activism activities to champion economic opportunity within the local and throughout the statewide federation.
- Educates members on political issues and encourages political participation.
- Collaborates with AFT-Oregon organizing staff, Executive Council and local leaders, to plan, lead, and participate in organizing drives and actions
- Mentors and trains local officers and activists and collects and tracks membership data to build local power and membership involvement.
- Assists locals in increasing local membership density. Works with AFT-Oregon, AFT-National and local leaders to ensure accuracy of membership lists. Tracks relevant factors to build local power and membership involvement.
- Organizes files and information for reporting and documentation. Reports data and presents as requested.
- Support media campaigns and local communications efforts regarding bargaining and organizing.
- Represents AFT-Oregon to community groups including labor events, community engagement projects, rallies, protests.
- Supports and collaborates with AFT-Oregon executive council to create federation-wide organizing campaigns.
- Coordinates work of other staff as assigned to projects and activities.
- Supports the development and success of AFT-Oregon training events, conventions, events, retreats, and encourages local union participation in AFT-Oregon groups and committees.
Other related duties as assigned.
Required Education and Experience
- Three or more years of demonstrated experience in coalition building, union organizing and representational work including directing activities, meeting facilitation, and project management in order to build power for the union and its constituencies.
- Ability to quickly assess an assignment situation and to develop, implement and modify a plan of action in concert with local union leadership.
- Contract bargaining, grievance, and arbitration experience.
- Experience with navigating and diffusing highly charged group and interpersonal dynamics.
Preferred Education and Experience
- Contract negotiation experience with education workers at any level, pre-K through higher education.
- Public sector union experience.
Skills and Competencies
- Demonstrated experience dedicated to the labor movement, social and economic justice, and public education for all.
- Is proactive in training others and delegating or coordinating duties and responsibilities to local union leaders and members to achieve assigned projects and activities.
- Updates and maintains knowledge of current employment laws, changes, and legislative developments.
- Treats others with respectful communication and behaviors to management, colleagues and clients. Is able to handle conflicts professionally and address disagreements respectfully and seek solutions collaboratively.
- Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with coworkers, union members and other individuals in contact during the course of work. Contributes to a positive work environment; facilitates productivity and fosters strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Applies critical thinking skills using logic and reasoning. Identifies complex problems and reviews related information to develop and evaluate options, recommend and implement solutions.
- Provides superior attention to detail for developing work products and deliverables in alignment with organizational goals, legal and regulatory requirements.
- Is familiar with Slack and Google Workspace including Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides.
- Is able to manage workload, juggle competing priorities to meet deadlines, project completion standards and deliverables.
- Is able to communicate effectively and persuasively in both verbal and written formats.
- Provides active listening skills.
- Is able to coach local leaders and membership on diversity and inclusiveness.
About AFT-Oregon
AFT-Oregon is a state affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, a union representing Oregon workers in 27 unions across K-12, community college and higher education in faculty, classified staff positions, and child care workers, in both public and private sectors.
We are a strong unified voice in education and the labor movement and are committed to improving the quality of people’s working and personal lives through commitments to quality education, social justice and a powerful progressive labor movement.