Great Lakes Region Political Coordinator

SEIU Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR)

Great Lakes Region Political Coordinator

Based in the Chicago, IL Area

About Us
The Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) is the largest house staff union in the United States. We are a local of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), representing nearly 41,000 resident physicians who are dedicated to improving residency training and education, advancing patient care, and expanding healthcare access for our communities. CIR’s mission is to empower our nation’s interns, residents and fellows to fight for excellence for our patients.

Job Description
The Committee of Interns and Residents is looking to fill a Political Coordinator position located in the Chicago area. CIR is committed to fully engaging our physician-members on hospital worksite and CIR issues in our Midwest chapters, primarily in Illinois and Minnesota. To accomplish this, we need a highly driven and committed individual who has strong interpersonal communication skills and can effectively solve problems. This role will implement the Political Education (COPE) program. You will report to and work closely with the West Coast Government and Community Relations Director to ensure an understanding and active participation in the political process. You will engage with field staff and members to plan campaigns, lobbying, and attend events for our public endorsements at city, state and federal levels.

What You’ll Do

• Drive the local political and COPE program in our Midwest chapters.
• Lead our union’s COPE program, endorsement of political candidates, recruitment to build COPE Boards, assist with staff and member training to meet COPE goals and raise awareness of the COPE program.
• Work closely with the Legislative Affairs Manager on legislative priorities, member engagement and campaigns.
• Provide support to staff for the recruitment, training, leadership development, and coordination of member political activists for political fundraising and electoral campaigns
• Provide support on issue campaigns, contract bargaining, and other political union activities.
• Participate in community and political events to endorse and show support for local elected leaders.
• Collaborate with the West Coast Government and Community Relations Director, field staff, and organizing staff to integrate political strategy into planning for contract and organizing campaigns
• Help build and maintain relationships with elected and other public officials to support the local’s and members’ contract bargaining and new organizing priorities
• Empower our members to build effective advocacy relationships with elected officials, community partners, and other stakeholders
• Assist in mobilization of elected and other public officials in support of member actions, events, and issues
• Provide support to staff for the recruitment, training, leadership development, and coordination of member political activists for political fundraising and electoral campaigns
• Execute political activities such as voter registration drives, vote-by-mail, and GOTV activities
• Represent CIR at Central Labor Councils and State Council committees based on the recommendation of the CIR State Council E-board member.

What Makes a Great Candidate

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public affairs or public administration.
• Must have labor union, state or local agency or association, non-profit community organization, or progressive elected official experience
• Healthcare experience preferred, but not required
• Exceptional communication (verbal and written) and follow-up skills
• Ability to listen actively and frame issues for members, electeds and other public officials
• Ability to evaluate and analyze information, and deal with conflicting/changing priorities
• Ability to think strategically and exercise a high level of judgment
• Energetic self-starter who thrives in fast-paced environments
• A team player who has a positive attitude and excels at collaboration and working cross-functionally
• Strong ability to connect and communicate with people of diverse backgrounds, including union members, union staff and leaders, elected officials, other community and issue stakeholders
• Willing to work outside normal business hours, including evenings and weekends as needed
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to travel regionally
• Must reside in the Chicago area.
• Working knowledge of membership databases
• Proficiency with Microsoft applications (Word, Excel); Google products such as Gmail and Google Drive (Docs & Sheets)
• Must be fully vaccinated for Covid in accordance with CDC guidelines, subject to any laws of the state in which the applicant resides.

CIR Offers
Competitive salary ($111,634 – $134,923) commensurate with experience and in compliance with the staff collective bargaining agreement. Excellent benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage with no employee contributions; generous paid leave time including four weeks’ vacation within the first calendar year of employment, paid holidays, personal days, and sick days; short and long-term disability insurance; 401(k); defined benefit pension plan; and mileage reimbursement.

To Apply:
In addition to a résumé, please include a cover letter that explains your reason for wanting to work for CIR, an example of how you demonstrated success in a similar position, and a description of how this position fits into your long-term career plan. Please be sure to include all of your paid professional experience on your résumé. Please send your résumé and cover letter along with three professional references to [email protected] with the Subject Line: Political Coordinator - Great Lakes Region .

CIR is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. As a proud Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), we do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual stereotyping, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), or any other protected category recognized by state, federal or local laws. CIR provides reasonable accommodations, in accordance with applicable law, for qualified individuals with disabilities, for individuals’ religious beliefs and practices, and on any other basis required by law. If, to apply for this job or to participate in a job interview, you require a reasonable accommodation, please let us know.

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