California Political and Legislative Director

SUMMARY 

Under the direction of the Political/Legislative Director; plan, coordinate and assist with implementing the California political and legislative priorities by organizing and identifying opportunities, fostering and leveraging community volunteers and partnerships; coordinate the planning, organization, administration, and direction of CA political and legislative work that advance the goals, mission and directions of the political/legislative department and UFW.  Must be able to travel to Sacramento
  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (This is not an exhaustive list.) 

Political Organizing

• Develop and implement political strategies to advance the organization's priorities and objectives 
• Strategically support the organization's policy priorities and objectives 
• Implement a range of political education and skills-building training for farm workers and farm workers’ supporters as assigned.
• Meet recruitment and mobilization goals for political organizing campaigns and integrated voter engagement programs.
• Mobilize support for and coordinate actions with partners (petitions, support letters, lobby day, workshops).
• Develop expertise in UFW state and federal policy priorities.
• Create communications content engaging farm workers and farm workers’ supporters. 
• Support UFW political endorsement process, including preparing analysis for the UFW board and communicating with campaigns seeking endorsement.
• Maintain relationships with political stakeholders, including elected officials, government agencies, and government staff.
• During election campaigns: 
  1. Hire and supervise temporary campaign staff. 
  2. Manage vendor agreements.
  3. Manage precinct leads and volunteer teams to achieve goals.  
  4. Monitor and report Voter ID results as assigned.
  5. Develop election weekend precinct captains.
  6. Identify and develop precinct leaders.  
  7. Help refine training materials.
  8. Work collaboratively with UFW campaign staff on goals, planning, and corrective actions.
  9. Implement area goals and suggest strategy changes to reach goals.
  10. Coordinate voter list management with Field Campaign Directors.
  11. Recruit volunteer walkers. 
  12. Help develop training materials, curriculum, training schedule, and speakers.
  13. Help prepare lists, raps, and walk materials.
  14. Run area phone bank and report on daily work.
  15. Track and prepare canvassing plans (doors to knock) with volunteers.
  16. One-on-one and group training of volunteers, and mobilization through motivation.

Coalition Building

• Build strong and meaningful relationships with coalition partners.
• Advocate and mobilize organizational support for campaigns.

Infrastructure

• Ensure compliance of all campaigns with local, California, and Federal election laws. 
• Maintain database of farm workers, farm workers’ supporters, and activities.
• Coordinate with the Political Legislative Director and other UFW funds to integrate and execute organizational priorities.
• Work directly with the Political Legislative Director, evaluating and anticipating needs to support program implementation.
• Track projects/programs progress and follow up with the various involved stakeholders to ensure established goals are met.
• Assist in convening and planning internal and external meetings, including support with all aspects of convening the meetings. 
• Drafts communications content tailored to various audiences.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the union’s priorities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Potential to supervise fellows and interns.  During election season, likely to supervise temporary campaign staff.  

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Capacity to work independently within the context of an overall plan and structure.
• Dedication to Mission. A genuine interest in farm worker rights and political and/or organizing campaigns.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse group of people in various settings, high-pressured environments, and challenging deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish.
• Experience planning and executing training sessions and programs.
• Si Se Puede (It Can Be Done) Attitude. The embodiment of a personal spirit that promotes confidence, courage, and risk-taking.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

         LANGUAGE SKILLS 

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.   Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, government officials and their staff members, and the public. . Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.  Strong interpersonal and communication skills are required.  Bilingual ability in English and Spanish.  

         MATHEMATICAL SKILLS 

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra.  Must have basic accounting knowledge and the ability to keep accurate financial records. Must have good organizational skills and the ability to work independently. 

         REASONING ABILITY 

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

 EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in organizing, budget analysis, and advocacy; experience working with the public; and commitment to the Mission of the Farm Workers Movement are required.  Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university is a plus. 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Must be familiar with computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, etc.   Requires a valid Class “C” Driver’s license.

 WORK SCHEDULE:

Varies. Must be able to work afternoons and weekends.

 LOCATION: 

Ability to Commute to Sacramento (Required)

  BENEFITS 

  Benefits package that includes family medical, dental, vision, pension, 401k, 12 paid holidays, 48 hours of sick pay & paid vacations.

 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 job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

 While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and or hear.   The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and p, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

 WORK ENVIRONMENT  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

 The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

 UFW believes a strong commitment to equal employment opportunity is more than a legal and moral obligation - it is also sound business practice to realize the potential of every individual. To provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at UFW will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Except where required or permitted by law, employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, age, or any characteristic protected by law.

 UFW believes in second chances. As an organization, we will rely on individualized assessments in the hiring of those with past criminal convictions. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for a position fighting for our immigrant communities!

 This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, counseling, discipline, termination, access to benefits, and training. UFW will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with qualified disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.

UFW is an Equal Opportunity Employer.