Working America seeks Washington State Director

(March 18, 2014) — Working America, the fastest-growing organization for working people in the country, has a job opening for Washington State Director to lead the organization’s canvass program and build its presence in the state. At 3 million strong and growing, Working America uses its strength in numbers to educate its members, and to mobilize and win real victories to improve working people’s lives.

Here is the job announcement, as posted at UnionJobs.com:

WASHINGTON STATE DIRECTOR

The State Director is a statewide position that leads the Working America field canvass program in the assigned state, as well as builds Working America’s political and organizational profile within the local progressive community.

The State Director works with the Regional Director and other canvass leaders to ensure the integration of Working America’s program within the local labor and progressive community, secures in-state funding for the organization, plans and implements programmatic and electoral campaigns, ensures the quality of Working America’s member mobilization in the field, and builds the Working America brand through media.

What We Do:

Working America organizes crucial issue and electoral campaigns at the national, state and municipal level on behalf of working families. Our highly successful outreach models have raised the minimum wage in New Mexico, won a much needed earned sick day law for workers in Portland, OR and a new law preventing wage theft in Houston, TX was just passed unanimously by mobilizing members to pressure city council (to name a few).

Reports to: Regional Director

Duties:

• Supervise Member Coordinators within the state;
• Work with Regional Director and canvass leadership to ensure that membership recruitment and other canvass and organizational goals are met;
• Represents the interests of Working America, working in coordination with the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO and it’s affiliated unions; works with the WSLC, affiliated unions and strategic partners on political, legislative accountability, and organizing campaigns defined by the WSLC, AFL-CIO.
• In coordination with the Regional Director & national staff, determine turf selection and issue mobilization; work with Regional Director and national staff to develop & implement state campaigns that encompass issues, organizing, elections, mobilization & more;
• Work with Regional Director and national staff to set goals and raise funds within the state via donor community, unions, small and large individual donors, foundations etc.;
• Participate in member mobilization and activist duties as needed, based on local priorities; manage state database of program activity and member activism;
• Direct canvass offices on a short-term, as needed basis, especially to facilitate startups, short-term coverage, training new Field Directors, and to meet other special needs;
• Work with national staff & Regional Director to build state relationships with media (print, radio, TV, bloggers, etc.), be the lead spokesperson in the state, draft press statements and releases & grow the Working America brand;
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• One year experience as a field canvass director preferred;
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, hire, train and supervise large teams of canvassers & other staff;
• Three or more years’ experience in electoral, labor or progressive politics;
• Knowledge of national and local structures of the labor movement;
• Ability to effectively execute and direct voter contact & GOTV operations
• Leadership, team-building and strategic planning ability;
• Ability to engage, mobilize and develop activists;
• Ability to work independently in politically sensitive and high-pressure environments;
• Excellent problem-solving and relational skills;
• Computer proficiency and strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to travel on a regular basis as needed;
• Must be able to work irregular and long hours.

Location:

• Seattle, WA

Position Type:

• Full-time/Regular

Apply here.