Field Representative-Organizer (Higher Education)

Who we are: The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) represents over 115,000 members and nearly 400 locals across the state and employs a full-time staff of over 150. Our members are public school teachers, faculty, professional staff, and education support professionals working at public schools, colleges, and universities. As a member-driven organization and the largest union in New England, our collective power makes MTA an influential voice for educators, students, and their communities. We are proud to be an advocate for social, racial, and economic justice and for a public education system that provides one of the cornerstones of a democratic society.

Major Responsibilities:
The Field Representative-Organizer is responsible for helping to build strong locals and a strong union by supporting local leaders and rank and file members in all aspects of internal organizing, bargaining, contract enforcement and representation, and implementation of local, regional, and statewide campaigns that connect members to the life of the union.

Essential Job Functions:
•Support locals in all aspects of internal organizing, including membership recruitment and retention, establishing effective building and worksite communication and representational structures, and leadership identification and development.
•Support locals in all aspects of contract enforcement and representation.
•Support locals in all aspects of contract campaigns and negotiations, including multiple forms of democratized bargaining (open, coordinated, coalition, bargaining for the common good), that achieve bargaining standards and build rank and file power
•Support locals to establish effective administrative systems and action plans for member sign-up, new hire orientations, accurate member data collection, and tracking and signing up potential members

Specific Responsibilities:
•Support locals in identifying building based and/or local issues and developing a rank and file strategy to solve the problems
•Support locals to implement initiatives that engage and empower marginalized groups such as members of color and ESPs/classified staff, contingent workers, and center social and racial justice in the work of the union
•Support locals to implement initiatives to build cultural competency, a climate of equity and inclusion, and other initiatives to increase awareness and support of equity and inclusion values
•Collaborate with regional organizers and Bargaining Campaign and Strategy Specialists to implement strategic and coordinated campaigns and link local bargaining and issues to college/university, regional and statewide campaigns
•Collaborate with TPL and other field staff to develop and deliver training on all aspects of union skills to local leaders and emerging activists based on a popular education model
•Encourage the active participation of locals and their members in the political and legislative activities of the MTA/NEA including the Senate District Coordinator/Political Action Liaison program
•Assist locals to build relationships with students, parents, and the community and to pursue common good initiatives
•Assist with or lead new unit organizing campaigns
•Conduct periodic assessments of membership needs and evaluations of the quality of field services and recommend to the Regional Manager program activities to improve the quality of services to better meet the needs of the members.
•Coordinate all activities of the MTA/NEA in the event of crises related to collective bargaining, employment security, professional quality, organizational integrity, legal rights, or legislative activity in areas to which the Representative is assigned by the Regional Manager.
•Contribute to building a unified and powerful statewide union dedicated to social, racial, and economic justice
•Implement MTA/NEA policy in the area of the Field Representative Organizer’s assignment
•Provide support to MTA committees, task forces, and other teams as assigned.
•Other related duties as needed or assigned within areas of responsibility

Qualifications:
•Commitment to the mission and strategic goals of the MTA and the organized teaching profession
•Substantial experience as a union representative or organizer with demonstrated abilities in organizing, representational work, contract enforcement, collective bargaining, and strategic campaigns.
•Understanding of key concepts and commitment to dismantling systems of oppression that create inequity by race, class, and gender
•Ability to listen and influence across multiple MTA stakeholders and promote intercultural dialogue and organizing
•Experience and familiarity with multiple forms of democratized bargaining including open, coordinated, and coalition bargaining and bargaining for the common good
•Understanding of and commitment to a vision of a labor movement that advances social, racial and economic justice and a common good agenda
•Ability to establish and maintain successful working relationships and teams with staff, leaders, and members
•Effective writing and communication skills
•Proficiency with MS Word and Excel; experience with Power Point, VAN, and Hustle preferred
•Bachelor’s and Masters’ degrees preferred
•Ability to work well under a tight deadline and in a team environment
•Ability to work evenings, weekends, and long hours when needed
•Driver’s license and access to a car required

*MTA reserves the right to waive any qualifications at its discretion*

The MTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.