Labor Organizer

Democratic Socialists of America is the largest socialist organization in the United States, with over 125,000 members and chapters across the country. We believe that working people should run both the economy and society democratically to meet human needs, not to make profits for a few. We are a political and activist organization, not a party. Through community and campus-based chapters, DSA members use a variety of tactics, from legislative to direct action, to fight for reforms that empower working people. DSA is a big tent, multi-tendency organization that welcomes everyone committed to democratic socialism.

Responsibilities

• Directly coach and train chapters (in person or remotely) on implementing our member-decided national labor strategy through participation in national campaigns, utilizing available resources, recruiting and engaging members, establishing labor branches and related items 

• Help create spaces and interaction so chapter organizers learn best practices from each other and collaborate with each other on strategic labor work

• Create resources, identify and foster mentorship opportunities among members and identify other indirect areas of support that would help chapters start/develop their labor work 

• Develop, revise and execute trainings for DSA membership in various forms

• Track and assess chapter labor work in various forms along with monitoring general labor conflict and activity happening in the country so that others can better understand the scope of our overall labor program

• Support the National Labor Commission (NLC) leadership with planning, goal setting and strategic decision making 

• Assist the National Labor Commission in accessing national resources, interfacing with other national staff and limited administrative support to encourage best practices in these areas

• Provide the National Labor Commission with insights about the needs, wants, and capacities of DSA chapters, updates on DSA organizing staff interaction with chapters and potential recruits for national leadership 

• Help DSA Organizing (and other) staff understand the NLC programs, projects and campaigns so that they can help communicate to chapters/members and move them into action 

Qualifications 

Experience

• Demonstrated success in developing grassroots leadership and winning concrete campaigns with a focus on labor. Minimum two years of experience organizing to win collective bargaining agreements, contracts, legislation, pressure campaigns, or other reforms that increased grassroots power.

• Proven track record of recruiting, training, and managing volunteers while mobilizing large numbers of people to take action.

• Preferred: Experience managing relationships with locals, affiliates, or subsidiary organizations simultaneously across a region or nationally. 

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional listening, interpersonal, and general communication skills with strong relationship-building abilities.

• Self-starter capable of efficiently managing multiple projects simultaneously and using limited resources effectively.

• Excellent time management and resource allocation skills.

• Systems thinking approach to understanding how individual chapter support contributes to broader organizational goals.

• Demonstrated ability to handle high-pressure situations with positive attitude, tact, and professionalism

• Preferred: Experience with digital organizing tools and platforms such as Action Network, ActionKit, or similar CRM/mass communication systems.

Travel & Availability

• Ability to travel monthly and hold regular meetings in different time zones. 

• Comfortable with extensive travel requirements and varied scheduling demands.

• Ability to work irregular hours as organizing demands require.

• Valid driver's license required.

Political Alignment & Values

• Commitment to democratic socialist, feminist, anti-racist, anti-ableist, anti-heterosexist, and pro-worker action. Must be grounded in democratic socialist politics.

• General agreement with the positions and perspectives of DSA.

Reports to: National Campaigns Director

Work Schedule: Full-time. Work hours will fluctuate according to campaign needs and members’ availability.

Salary: $65,500 non-exempt

Benefits: We offer employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their spouse/partner and/or dependent children, and three weeks of vacation in the first year of employment, then four weeks each year thereafter. Employee contribution equivalent to 1% of wage to a 401k.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild.

Application Deadline: Sunday, October 25

Democratic Socialists of America will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of their job if doing so does not result in undue hardship. If you are in need of accommodations during the application process or interview, please let us know. 

Democratic Socialists of America is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a staff that reflects the working class. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, DREAMers, as well as members of the LGBTQ communities.