We are excited to begin our search for a staff organizer to support our union! The staff organizer will be an essential part of our efforts to build a strong community of graduate workers ahead of our next contract campaign, and to make GAGE a force for solidarity activism in the DC area.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Position: Staff Organizer

This position supports the Georgetown Alliance of Graduate Employees (GAGE, Local 06440, AFT, AFL-CIO). The Georgetown Alliance of Graduate Employees (GAGE, Local 6440, AFT, AFL-CIO) is the union of graduate teaching assistants, research assistants, and instructors of record at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. We seek an experienced staff organizer to assist our efforts to organize and recruit members, plan campaigns, and build relationships with other labor unions and movement organizations in the Washington, DC area.

About Us

The Georgetown Alliance of Graduate Employees (GAGE) is the labor union for graduate student assistants at Georgetown University. We seek to empower graduate workers and ensure that they have an equal partnership in decisions that shape their future.

We formally affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers in 2017, and in 2018, Georgetown graduate students voted overwhelmingly to unionize.

In May 2020, we signed our first-ever labor contract with Georgetown University, winning significant wage and benefit improvements to help all graduate workers weather the coronavirus, combat the spiraling cost of living in the nation’s capital and provide sorely needed job security in uncertain times.

We are now looking for the right person to help us take the next steps in our journey and continue to make a real difference in the lives of graduate workers at Georgetown.

Contract Term

This is a three-year contract position, with the possibility of renewal. We expect the Staff Organizer will start no later than September 1, 2021.

Reports To:

GAGE President and Vice President

Salary and Benefits

Salary is between $55,000 - 60,000 per year, commensurate with experience, with an annual 2 percent salary increase. The employee will receive pay twice per month. Health benefits include full healthcare, dental, and vision insurance coverage. Leave benefits include 120 hours of paid annual vacation leave and 80 hours of paid annual sick leave.

Location

We offer a flexible working environment, and recognize that candidates may come to this role with a diverse range of health and family circumstances. Although we encourage remote work and flexible schedules---we’re graduate workers, after all!---the Staff Organizer should expect to participate in in-person organizing meetings and events on campus during the academic year.

Responsibilities

The Staff Organizer will be responsible for working with the GAGE Executive Council to coordinate and implement the union’s organizing strategy. These responsibilities include:

Developing and implementing an effective network of Department Organizers at Georgetown;
Working with the President, Vice President, and Lead Organizers to set and implement organizing and membership goals;
Working with the Vice President, Lead Organizers, and Department Organizers to plan advocacy campaigns around labor issues at Georgetown;
Working with the Secretary and Treasurer to track membership dues and participation in organizing actions using the AFT Connect database;
Facilitating GAGE coordination with and participation in organizing coalitions in the Washington, DC area;

Qualifications

At least 3 - 5 years of experience in designing and implementing union grassroots or other community organizing programs, especially among graduate students or other employees at academic institutions;
A demonstrated writing ability and the ability to communicate clear goals and objectives to both members and other organizations;
Experience with tracking membership and organizing participation; experience with the AFT Connect database is a plus;
Working knowledge of Washington, DC-based organizing coalitions is a plus;
Experience using Microsoft Office or Google Drive programs in the context of organizing work, especially Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets;
Ability to work well with groups and individuals with a wide variety of personalities, needs, and occupations;

Working Conditions:

The work will involve a combination of in-person and remote job responsibilities;

The staff organizer should be able to attend meetings and regular organizing sessions on the Georgetown University campus in Washington, DC on a weekly basis;

Although we try to minimize work outside of normal business hours, we are comfortable with a flexible schedule and may ask the staff organizer to be available for occasional weekend events.

GAGE is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Please contact us at president@wearegage.org (cc: secretary@wearegage.org) if you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process.

To apply, please direct a resume, 1-page cover letter, and the names and contact information of three references to: president@wearegage.org (cc: secretary@wearegage.org). Applications are due July 20.