UDW Overview:
United Domestic Workers of America, UDW/AFSCME Local 3930 is a statewide labor union that represents more than 200,000 home care and family child care providers in 45 counties in California. Founded in 1979, UDW is a diverse, progressive labor organization that seeks dynamic, committed individuals who will support our members and those for whom they care locally, statewide and at the national level.
UDW is one of California’s largest labor unions. We consistently support and lead important social justice initiatives like fighting for racial justice, income inequality, and affordable health care for all. We are committed to respect and dignity for seniors, people with disabilities, and the children in our care. We fight for better working conditions and fair pay for home care and child care providers, and full funding for life-saving programs like In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and subsidized family child care. For more information about UDW, please visit our website at www.udwa.org.
Job Information:
Job Title: Organizer
Job Type: Exempt (Salary)
Department: Organizing & Member Engagement
Reports to: Regional Manager
Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (subject to change)
Job Location: Bakersfield, CA 93309
Salary Range: (Organizer I, II, III: depending on experience)
Organizer I $68,640.00 to $82,212.00
Organizer II $69,888.00 to $86,322.60
Organizer III $73,382.40 to $90,638.73
Job Summary:
As an Organizer, you will recruit, train, and mobilize members to build worker power and advance organizational priorities through effective organizing, leadership development, and campaign execution. You will independently engage with workers, facilitate meetings and trainings, and support the growth of organizing committees and action teams. The role involves developing communication systems, building coalitions with community partners, and representing the union at events while ensuring accurate data management and administrative compliance. Organizers at higher levels will also develop campaign materials, coordinate strategic initiatives, mentor member leaders, and contribute to the planning and evaluation of organizing efforts.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Organizer I
- Independently organize assigned turf, including membership and recruitment, leader and activist recruitment and development, conduct member training and meetings, and build and grow worker organization, including organizing committees, contract action teams, councils, and other teams of workers who take action on our priorities
- Recruit union membership and PEOPLE through weekly Orientations, House Visits, AIMs (Area Information Meetings), Membership Meetings, New Member Recruitment Appointments, special events, and trainings.
- Develop organizing skills of member organizers.
- Identify, recruit, train, and develop union leaders.
- Assist leadership in developing and executing plans for campaigns, including but not limited to budget issues, contract negotiations, worker safety, etc.
- Develop various communication systems to reach members and providers effectively.
- Work to build coalitions with community groups and organizations.
- Maintain work files and comply with administrative reporting.
- Organize, mobilize, and engage workers around worksite issues, politics, public policy, and other issues affecting workers’ lives.
- Support and facilitate training programs and workshops to enhance the skill and knowledge of union members and leaders.
- Represent the union at conferences, conventions, and other professional events, networking with industry experts and staying updated on best practices in the labor movement.
- Meet statewide goals and deadlines.
- Start assessing and evaluating turf, leaders, organizing campaigns and initiatives, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective measures when necessary.
- Accurately collect and update membership data to monitor and develop member activist, leaders and member participation.
- Assist with department projects and perform other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.
Organizer II
- All duties of an Organizer I and the following:
o Writes leaflets and other materials for campaigns, projects, and organizing initiatives.
o Support and execute effective staff development, training, and team building.
o Develop and maintain ties with partner organizations, allies, and community leaders.
o Informs supervisor of assigned campaigns' activities, developments, and progress.
o With guidance, develop and coordinate campaigns, programs, contract negotiations, elections and strikes.
o Demonstrate commitment and behaviors in line with UDW’s values and policies.
o Integrate politics, community relationships and organizing support into the daily work.
o Assist with department projects and perform other high-level duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.
o Trains and mentors member leaders to begin to be able to develop campaign strategies and plans.
o Conduct regular assessment and evaluations of turf, leaders, organizing campaigns and initiatives, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective measures when necessary.
Organizer III
- All duties of an Organizer I and Organizer II and the following:
o Propose, execute, and evaluate strategic plans and daily, weekly, and monthly work plans based on assigned goals and objectives.
o Learn about how the long term care industry functions and is funded, the industry employers, and the role of the National Labor Relations Board and other organizations plays in the industry.
o Participates in selecting targets for external and internal organizing campaigns; researches potential organizing targets; and collects and analyzes potential target data and information.
o Assist in expediting the resolution of members’ complaints and/or concerns.
o Assist with department projects and perform other high-level duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.
o Trains and mentors member leaders and co-workers to develop campaign strategies and plans.
o Independently assess and evaluate turf, leaders, organizing campaigns and initiatives, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective measures when necessary.
o Support teams of staff and workers to achieve key strategic or campaign objectives.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong strategic and critical thinking skills.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Working knowledge of labor rights & contract language, and the ability to learn these quickly.
- Work effectively in team settings, as well as independently.
- Effectively prioritize and multi-task assignments and responsibilities.
- Comply with UDWA’s Policy.
- Adaptability to changing environments and ability to work under pressure.
- Cultural competence to work with diverse communities.
- Practices active listening and self-reflection to support a culture of learning.
- Ability to work independently, organize their time, and demonstrate self-motivation.
- Ability to hold oneself and team accountable to commitments and outcomes.
- Ability to think analytically and strategically and contribute to campaign planning.
- Demonstrated ability to meet membership and recruitment outcomes
- Demonstrated ability to assess, identify, recruit, and develop workers as leaders.
- Demonstrated ability to build worker organization and lead teams of members
- Demonstrated knowledge of the long-term care industry and labor laws
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with a team.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate data on program or campaign area and use data to guide decisions.
- Proven experience solving complex issues and problems in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to establish and maintain rapport and credibility with diverse demographic groups, elected officials and community organizations
- Ability to work cooperatively and effectively in cross-functional teams
- A demonstrated commitment to unions, supporting and developing members’ voices
- Computer and digital literacy relevant to the position.
Preferred Qualifications, Education, and/or Experience:
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent (required)
- Union or Organizing Experience: 6 months to 7+ years of significant experience in union or comparable organizing roles.
- Leadership Experience: 6 months to 7+ years of demonstrated experience leading members or coworkers in team settings to achieve organizational goals.
- Campaign Experience: 6 months to 7+ years of experience working on growth or bargaining campaigns.
- Core Competencies: Proven ability to consistently execute core organizing competencies.
- Communication Skills: Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and public speaking abilities.
- Technical Skills: Strong computer proficiency and comfort with technology.
- Subject Matter Knowledge:
- Familiarity with the California Child Care System
- Understanding of the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program
- Organizer I: 6 months to 2 years of relevant experience.
- Organizer II: 3 to 6 years of relevant experience.
- Organizer III: 7 or more years of extensive union or comparable organizing experience
Preferred Bilingual Language(s) in either:
- Spanish
- Vietnamese
- Korean
- Tagalog
- Russian
- Assyrian
- Somali
- Arabic
Requirements:
- Must possess a valid California driver’s license, auto insurance that covers business driving, and an automobile for business use.
- Willingness to work long and irregular hours, often including nights and weekends.
- Willingness to travel.
Employee Benefits:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life / AD&D
- Long Term Disability (LTD)
- 401(k) Savings Plan
- Pension Plan
- Paid Vacation Days
- Paid Sick Leave
- Personal Day (8 hours)
- 16 Paid Holiday
- Floating Holiday
- Upskilling through eLearning platforms
Staff Union Representation Notice:
This position is represented by the UDW Staff Union/Pacific Northwest Staff Union (PNWSU). Employees in this bargaining unit are entitled to rights and protections under the collective bargaining agreement and applicable labor laws. For more information about union representation, your rights, and union dues, please contact udwu@pnwsu.org
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is required to stand, walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is primarily exposed to an office-type environment. The employee will frequently work on or around office equipment and furniture. The noise level in the work environment is low to moderate. The employee will frequently work with deadlines under pressure and will occasionally be required to work alone. The employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor environments which can include exposure to vehicles, moving mechanical parts; vibration; odors, fumes, gases, smoke, dust, or airborne particles; and outside weather conditions.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
UDWA is an equal opportunity employer, and, as such, does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based on race, creed, color, age, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, disability, or any other classification protected from discrimination under applicable law.
Notice of E-Verify Participation:
This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS (888) 897-7781, dhs.gov/e-verify
Women, people of color, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.
To apply for this position, please visit UDW’s career page and submit your application.
UDW’s career link https://udwa.hiringplatform.com/list/careers
