Washington State Labor Council seeks two experienced directors

State’s largest union organization seeks Political Director and Racial and Gender Justice Director

SEATTLE (Aug. 16, 2023) — The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO is seeking experienced candidates for two positions: Political and Strategic Campaigns Director, and Racial and Gender Justice Director.

Widely considered to be the “voice of labor” in our state, the WSLC represents and provides services for hundreds of local unions throughout Washington state. The WSLC is the largest labor organization in our state, with more than 600 local unions affiliated with the WSLC, representing approximately 550,000 rank-and-file union members. Learn more at the WSLC website.

A NOTE TO POTENTIAL CANDIDATES

Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary folks, and Black, Indigenous people, people of color (BIPOC), are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in the job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization and are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that’s okay. The WSLC strongly encourages you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

Political and Strategic Campaigns Director
(Printable version of this job posting.)

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Working under the direction of the President, this position supervises the organizing team and works closely with all WSLC departments to support and implement the WSLC’s Strategic Plan, and is tasked with helping the council:

● Develop and implement its strategic political plan; increase political and field capacity; recruit and train activists; grow and expand Labor Neighbor efforts.

● Lead the Labor Neighbor table; lead and support independent expenditure campaigns; work in partnership with community and allies on campaigns to strengthen worker power.

●  In coordination with affiliates develop and run both political, and popular education campaigns; increase member education opportunities for all programmatic areas of the WSLC.

●  Advance and implement field strategies; lead walks, phone banks, rallies and actions.

●  Serve as a liaison between the WSLC and its affiliated unions and Central Labor Councils in the recruitment and coordination of volunteers to participate in the WSLC’s political, legislative, and organizing programs.

●  Direct the organizing team; support the CLC Network, Naturalization and Citizenship Program, and Racial and Gender Justice Programs.

●  Other duties as assigned to strengthen the WSLC’s ability to run strategic and effective programs

QUALIFICATIONS

●  At least five years of experience as a political director of a union or community-based organization that has run major political campaigns

●  Experience with pulling lists and cutting turf in both the LAN and the VAN

●  Excellent written and verbal communication skills

●  Working knowledge of Washington’s Labor movement

●  Knowledge of the Washington State Legislature and Washington State legislators, preferred

●  Commitment to the WSLC’s principles of being an independent political voice and growing worker power through politics, strengthening and growing the labor movement through political power, and participation in political and legislative processes

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

The Political and Strategic Campaigns Director is part of the administrative staff of the WSLC and, as such, is part of the collective bargaining agreement between the WSLC and Office and Professional Employees International Union, Local 8. The Director is a member of OPEIU Local 8. The contract provides excellent wages, medical care, including dental and vision, vacation and holiday leave, and a defined benefit pension plan, along with an employer- matched savings plan. Salary range for this position is $94,000 to $121,000 a year.

This statewide position is full-time, salaried, and is subject to irregular work hours – including late nights, weekends, and holidays – based on organizational needs.

PROCESS AND START DATE

Please submit the following materials to Willa Kamakahi, WSLC Executive Assistant to the President at wkamakahi@wslc.org:

1) Formal letter of interest, explaining your interests in and qualifications for the position
2) Resume with three (3) references
3) Two (2) samples of your writing, which may include a campaign plan, campaign brief, political report, or similar documents

The WSLC is an equal opportunity employer. Black and Indigenous people, people of color, immigrants, women, LGBTQ+ folks, people with multilingual skills, disabled folks and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

The start date for this position is as soon as possible and the position is open until filled.

Racial and Gender Justice Director
(Printable version of this job posting.)

The Director of Racial and Gender Justice will be responsible for implementing the internal and external racial and gender justice programs and campaigns as outlined by WSLC Convention Resolutions. This position will also adhere to the mission and constitution of the Council, which states, “We shall combat resolutely the forces that seek to undermine the democratic institutions of our nation and to enslave the human soul. We shall strive always to win full respect for the dignity of the human individual whom our unions serve.”

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The Director of Racial and Gender Justice will:

●  Review, develop, and meet the goals of WSLC Convention Resolutions on Race in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022, ending gender-based violence and gender discrimination, fighting for reproductive justice and respect for all working people, as well as defending our immigrant siblings and friends in the movement and our communities.

●  Provide technical assistance to all affiliates of the WSLC who seek to develop racial and gender justice programs within their unions.

●  Staff Committees and focus on achieving the goals of respective committees and affiliate participation.

●  Provide resources (or direction to obtain resources) that WSLC affiliates can access regarding racial and gender justice programs.

●  Coordinate and/or conduct educational programs for the WSLC and, upon request, for central labor councils and affiliates of the WSLC.

●  Engage in outreach to community-based organizations that are committed to social justice and wish to engage the WSLC in campaigns, legislative efforts, etc., in the interest of racial and gender justice.

BACKGROUND

Organized labor faces unprecedented, orchestrated, and frequent attacks from billionaires and bosses that seek to break the power of working people’s solidarity. We continue to witness the murder of more Black and Brown people, Black Trans siblings, and young people. Our sisters, brothers, and siblings face these challenges against the backdrop of racism in our systems and in our movement. This position will be a key part of the strategy to align the power of Washington’s labor organizations to challenge the structural barriers to ensure that everyone in Washington can thrive.

REQUIREMENTS

●  Extensive knowledge and experience in the trade union movement (at least five (5) years), preferably in leadership and/or staff position

●  Excellent written and verbal communication skills

●  Demonstrated ability to develop and facilitate basic training and education modules

●  Demonstrated ability to work in coalitions

●  Demonstrated ability to develop and successfully organize campaign teams, with a focus on union member and worker leadership development

●  Critical thinking and the demonstrated understanding of Intersectionality (as defined by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw) and other anti-racist, pro-equity models

●  Available to travel, primarily within Washington state

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

The Racial and Gender Justice Director is part of the administrative staff of the WSLC and, as such, is part of the collective bargaining agreement between the WSLC and Office and Professional Employees International Union, Local 8. The Director is a member of OPEIU Local 8. The contract provides excellent wages, medical care, including dental and vision, vacation and holiday leave, and a defined benefit pension plan, along with an employer-matched savings plan. The salary range for this position is $94,000 to $121,000 a year.

This statewide position is full-time, salaried, and is subject to irregular work hours – including late nights, weekends, and holidays – based on organizational needs.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit the following materials to Willa Kamakahi, WSLC Executive Assistant to the President at wkamakahi@wslc.org:

1) Formal letter of interest, explaining your interests in and qualifications for the position
2) Resume with three (3) references
3) Two (2) samples of your work that demonstrate ability to effectively communicate, develop trainings, or an understanding of racial and gender justice.

The WSLC is an equal-opportunity employer. Black and Indigenous people, people of color, immigrants, women, LGBTQ+ folks, people with multilingual skills, disabled folks, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

The start date for this position is as soon as possible and the position is open until filled.