Black Caucus Coordinator

Rationale:

            The Black Caucus is a progressive, democratic organization of domestic and international Black and African-descended graduate student-workers dedicated to the pursuit of racial, gender and economic equality through active political participation.

The Black Caucus Coordinator supports the Black Caucus in its work to address the unique needs and issues of both domestic and international Black graduate student-workers and graduate student-workers of Color in our bargaining unit. The Black Caucus Coordinator position responds to GEO’s recognition that this population faces workplace challenges such as unfair labor practices, racism, xenophobia and sexism that are directly and uniquely related to their racial/ethnic identities. In addition, the Black Caucus Coordinator position responds to GEO’s recognition that the target population makes up a significant portion of our bargaining unit and membership, that is nonetheless underrepresented in GEO leadership and participation.

Job Responsibilities:

The Black Caucus Coordinator will work with the Black Caucus in the execution of its stated mission and organizational goals as outlined for the upcoming year. The coordinator will act as a liaison between the Caucus and GEO leadership as well as the broader GEO Membership. The Black Caucus Coordinator works closely with UAW2322 Servicing Representatives in the performance of these duties. The Black Caucus Coordinator is directly supervised by the Executive Board of the Black Caucus, the GEO Steering Committee and the UAW 2322 President.

Job Objectives:

• Facilitate the integration of employment issues concerning domestic and international Black and other graduate student-workers of Color with other GEO campaigns.
• Create a solid support system amongst Black and graduate student-workers of Color across departments/programs through the development of an information and mobilization network between the Black Caucus, GEO, and the Graduate Student Senate.
• Increase Black Caucus membership and participation rate of Black and other graduate student-workers of Color within GEO.
• Foster a race-conscious engagement with GEO’s contract to ensure equitable enforcement of contract.

Job Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinate Black Caucus’ ongoing organizing efforts, including proposing and executing initiatives and campaigns consistent with Black Caucus’ mission and goals
• Convene, propose, and organize agendas for Black Caucus meetings
• Facilitate, organize, and record Black Caucus meetings and events
• Work with Black Caucus and GEO Leadership, as well as the active Grievance Coordinator to address labor concerns and ensure equitable enforcement of the GEO contract
• Participate in the ongoing planning and evaluation of GEO’s organizing efforts as they relate to Black and other graduate student-workers of Color
• Participate in Steering Committee Meetings per GEO-UAW bylaws
• Participate in GEO General Membership Meetings
• Serve as a liaison between GSS, registered GSOs, and other departments/programs and schools as necessary for the performance of job duties
• Record, document, and archive projects, campaigns, and membership concerns carried out during the term
• Carry-out administrative duties immediately necessary for the Black Caucus assigned by the Executive Board
• Maintain social media presence; maintain membership and Executive Board communication and correspondence

Details:

We are hiring one (1) benefitted position, 20 hours a week; for a period of 38 weeks, start date negotiable. Funding for this position will come from GEO-UAW Local 2322, therefore applicants must legally qualify for employment with a non-university organization (UAW Local 2322). We are seeking candidates with experience working with underrepresented minority communities, as well as experience organizing events and meetings. See attached job description for more details.

Every organizing position also comes with the requirement that the organizer be willing to help out in campaigns and organizing projects that are not narrowly related to their specialty, particularly at times when tasks within their organizing specialty are not at peak periods of intensity. Organizers are thus responsible for all aspects of assistance in the union’s organizing campaigns, including campaign start-up, committee building, assessments, developing literature, running meetings and workplace actions.

All employees are expected to devote a portion of their paid working hours to office management tasks (i.e. holding office hours, answering phones, taking messages, in-taking grievances, greeting members who come into the office, etc.) and to attend meetings as required, including regular staff meetings. Some night and weekend hours may be required.

Applicants must have been GEO members for 2 consecutive semesters prior to the hire.

In order to apply, please submit:

A resume.

A cover letter stating the reasons you are interested in the position and your qualifications. In your cover letter please address the following questions:

1. Why are you interested in being hired for this position?
2. What kind of union activism, organizing, community or volunteer experience do you have? In what capacities have you been active with GEO?
3. What skills do you possess that would be beneficial for this position?

 

A completed GEO Staff Application Form. Click here to download the form.

Be prepared to bring proof of your student status to your interview (e.g. a letter from your GPD confirming your status). Also, international students need to provide their work authorization documents.

Applications should be emailed to hiring@geouaw.org. Deadline to submit resumes has been extended until midnight of July 31st.