Field Consultant (UniServ Director) Eastern, North Dakota
General Description: The Field Consultant has primary responsibility for the formation and continued development of local affiliates in the areas of member recruitment and retention, leadership training and development, coordination and delivery of resources of the state and national affiliates, assisting locals in the development and implementation of visible programs, and activities related to membership strength and growth, professional issues, collective bargaining, member rights, political action, and community partnerships.
Association Overview: NDU is a state affiliate of the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers and serves approximately 11,500 members who are K-12 teachers, public employees, educational support professionals, higher education faculty, students and retired members. NDU provides professional leadership, legal services, legislative and political involvement, membership benefits programs, and professional and personal development throughout the state. NDU is governed by an elected eighteen-member Board and a statewide Delegate Assembly.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities: Provide advice, local, and member training, and appropriate professional assistance to local affiliates and members, including the following:
- In Organizing - Assist all locals with a systematic ongoing program of organizing that includes membership growth (recruitment and retention), issue identification, leadership identification and development, action-focused campaign planning, and appropriate data collection and analysis; assist in organizing unorganized education units.
- In Negotiations - Assist all locals in implementing state and local goals; coordinate assistance to local negotiators from the State and National Affiliates.
- In Member Rights - Work to ensure that local affiliates guarantee members their rights through a) collective bargaining and contract enforcement; b) training local leaders in the recognition and processing of grievances; c) preparing for and representing members and locals at administrative hearings such as school board and grievance proceedings; and d) counseling members and locals in achieving rights as provided by statute, rules, practice, negotiations, or contract.
- In Communications - Assist in developing viable internal and external communications programs designed to ensure a consistent two-way flow of member and local information.
- In Legislative and Political Action - Assist in developing and implementing an effective local lobbying and political action program.
- In Leadership Development - Provide consultative and on-site support to local affiliate/elected leaders/building representatives/committee members/delegates/staff in the planning and implementation of their collective bargaining, employee rights, and contract enforcement programs. Includes but is not limited to: communications, implementation of centrally developed and locally delivered training programs, local training programs, employee relations, bargaining and contract enforcement, membership promotion, political action, program evaluation.
- In Local Development - Assist in representative training, local program development, budget, political action/legislative initiatives, and any other areas with which the local seeks guidance and assistance.
- In Professional Issues – Assist in providing access to multiple avenues of high-quality, research-based professional development to meet training, retaining, and certification needs of teachers and ESPs to enhance effectiveness of practice and improve student achievement.
- Participate in personal/professional growth and staff development opportunities in consultation with the appropriate manager.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree and valid state driver's license. Prior experience including, but not limited to: issue organizing, professional issues, negotiations, political action, grievance processing, arbitration, local and member training, member consultation skills, and experience in working with elected leaders at all levels is desirable. The position holder will be expected to develop expertise in other areas through formal and informal training. Experience with other unions or organizations performing similar work will also be considered.
Start Date and Office Location: There is flexibility in the start date and the position will be located in Eastern half of North Dakota.
Reporting Requirements: Reports to the Director of Field Services.
General Information: Position requires extensive state and some national traveling as well as evening and weekend work.
Compensation: Salary consistent with the terms of the negotiated agreement between NDU and NDSO. Liberal fringe benefit package including automobile, vacation, paid holidays, etc.
Application Procedure: Interested individuals must submit a written letter of application along with a current resumé and three references. Applications must be received no later than December 11, 2023. Send electronically to:
Chad Oban, Executive Director
North Dakota United
[email protected]
301 North 4th Street
Bismarck, ND 58501
North Dakota United is an equal-opportunity employer.
