What are the responsibilities and job description for the Organizer I position at Service Employees International Union?
Organizer I
SEIU Local 2015
About SEIU Local 2015
SEIU Local 2015 is the largest union of long-term care workers in California, representing more than half a million home care, skilled nursing facility, and assisted living center workers statewide. Our members are united in their commitment to caring for California’s older adults and people with disabilities while building power for workers and their communities.
Our mission is to unleash the collective power of long-term care workers, their families, and their communities to drive lasting economic and social justice. We are committed to building an anti-racist organization grounded in equity, justice, and cross-difference solidarity.
To learn more, visit seiu2015.org.
About the Role
SEIU Local 2015 is seeking passionate and driven Organizer I professionals to support organizing, membership growth, and leadership development across the long-term care sector.
Organizers play a critical role in building worker power by training, developing, and mobilizing workers in homecare, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living environments. This role contributes directly to advancing the union’s strategic goals, including membership expansion, contract campaigns, and political advocacy.
Organizer I roles may support both existing union members and non-union workers actively organizing to form a union. This position operates in a fast-paced, field-based environment requiring strong relationship-building, adaptability, and commitment to social justice.
Core Responsibilities
Worker Organizing & Membership Growth
- Recruit and engage workers to join and actively participate in the union, including COPE (Committee on Political Education) recruitment.
- Build and sustain organizing committees, contract action teams, and worker-led initiatives.
- Conduct one-on-one conversations and group meetings to assess worker concerns and drive collective action.
Leadership Development & Training
- Identify, train, and develop worker leaders to take on increasing levels of responsibility within the union.
- Facilitate member trainings, workshops, and leadership development sessions.
- Empower workers to lead campaigns, mobilizations, and workplace actions.
Campaign Execution & Strategic Organizing
- Support and execute organizing campaigns, contract negotiations, and strike preparation activities.
- Develop and implement strategic organizing plans aligned with regional and statewide goals.
- Track campaign progress and adjust strategies based on outcomes and field feedback.
Planning, Reporting & Accountability
- Create and execute daily, weekly, and monthly work plans aligned with assigned goals.
- Maintain accurate records of outreach, recruitment, and campaign activity.
- Demonstrate accountability to performance goals, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
Industry & Organizational Knowledge
- Develop a working knowledge of the long-term care industry, including funding structures, employers, and regulatory frameworks (e.g., NLRB, PERB).
- Uphold and model SEIU Local 2015’s core values: Leadership, Compassion, Empowerment, Accountability, Transparency, and Excellence.
Qualifications
Required Experience
- 1–3 years of organizing experience (union, community, political, or advocacy-based) or related experience in outreach, field work, or grassroots engagement.
- Demonstrated experience engaging diverse communities and building relationships.
- Experience working toward goals, metrics, or campaign outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Experience
- Experience in labor organizing, worker advocacy, or social justice movements.
- Experience facilitating trainings, meetings, or group discussions.
- Bilingual or multilingual skills highly desirable.
Core Competencies
The ideal Organizer I will demonstrate:
- Relationship Building & Worker Engagement – Ability to build trust, motivate individuals, and develop strong worker relationships across diverse communities.
- Accountability & Results Orientation – Takes ownership of goals, follows through on commitments, and delivers measurable outcomes.
- Adaptability & Resilience – Thrives in dynamic, high-pressure environments with changing priorities and field conditions.
- Cultural Competence & Inclusion – Effectively engages across lines of race, class, language, and background with respect and awareness.
- Communication Effectiveness – Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including persuasive and motivational communication.
- Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving – Ability to assess situations, identify opportunities, and support campaign strategies using data and field insights.
- Team Collaboration – Works collaboratively within teams while also demonstrating independence and self-direction.
- Learning Agility – Demonstrates openness to feedback, self-reflection, and continuous development.
- Digital & Technical Literacy – Proficiency with basic technology, data tracking tools, and communication platforms relevant to organizing work.
Work Environment & Travel Requirements
- Work is primarily field-based, engaging directly with members and community stakeholders.
- Willingness and ability to work long and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Must have a valid California driver’s license, reliable transportation, and required automobile insurance.
- Willingness and ability to travel as required based on campaign and organizational needs.
This role operates in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment where flexibility and responsiveness are essential.
Supervision
This position reports to an assigned supervisor and works closely with regional and statewide organizing teams.
Equal Opportunity Employer
SEIU Local 2015 is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
Don’t Meet Every Qualification?
We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification. Research shows that women, LGBTQ individuals, and people of color are less likely to apply unless they meet