Service Unit Director, Central Panhandle Service Unit (CPSU)

The Florida Education Association (FEA) is the largest association of professional employees and the largest labor union in the Southeast, representing more than 120,000 members. FEA members include teachers, education staff professionals, higher education faculty and graduate assistants, retirees, education students, and early career educators. FEA represents the professional and working interests of its members and plays a prominent role in shaping state policies that affect public schools.

Summary

The Service Unit Director reports to the Northern Regional Manager of Organizing and Field Services and assists in the day-to-day operations and programs of the local association in the locations above. The successful applicant will coordinate the service operations of the Service Unit, provide consultation and assistance to elected leaders and members in the areas of bargaining, contract administration/ grievance adjudication, business management, membership development, leadership and organizational development, internal and external communications, governmental and political advocacy, member and human rights, education reform, and other areas of interest or concern to the organization and its members. The Central Panhandle Service Unit currently includes teachers and education staff support professionals in the following counties: Calhoun, Franklin, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington. Frequent travel, long days, evening meetings, and some weekend obligations are required.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; Master’s degree preferred.
2. Knowledge of Association work as leader or staff.
3. Successful experience working with teachers and Education Staff Professional locals. (Preferred)
4. At least two years as local staff or comparable experience.
5. Demonstrated ability in contract maintenance, grievance processing, member representation, and collective bargaining.
6. Knowledge of the impasse and arbitration processes.
7. Demonstrated competence in oral and written communications.
8. Experience with and understanding of professional education organization programs and services at local, state, and national levels.
9. Ability to analyze school finance budget information.
10. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and drive projects independently.
11. Successful experience multi-task under tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
12. Strong skill in using Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel).
13. Ability to learn new, proprietary software programs.
14. Capacity to work closely with other professional and associate staff.
15. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Florida driver’s license.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

1. The Service Unit director is responsible for the day-to-day operations and programs of the assigned locals, including monitoring and coordinating local association program implementation including communications, training, employee relations, minority concerns, instructional and professional development, membership promotion, political concerns, legislation, etc.
2. Provides interface, consultative assistance, and support to local affiliate/Service Unit officers/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, minority concerns, bargaining and contract enforcement, membership promotion, political action, legislation, program evaluation, etc.
3. Plans, participates, and presents in site-based rep training, local program development, budget, political action/legislative initiatives, and any other areas that the locals seek guidance and assistance with.
4. Assists leaders in developing organizing plans and creating a system/process to measure effectiveness.
5. Conducts regular visits to work sites to build positive relationships with local leaders and staff and advance the knowledge and skills of site leadership.
6. Coordinates the Service Unit offices pursuant to local policies.
7. Maintains a positive relationship with other organizations and groups within assigned areas.
8. Maintains a continuous positive relationship with local leaders and coordinating council members within the units.
9. Performs other duties as assigned by the Southern Regional Manager of Organizing and Field Services or designee.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is determined by the negotiated agreement between the Florida Education Association and the Florida Staff Organization based on relevant experience. FEA provides medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term-disability insurance to its employees with no employee premiums. Additionally, FEA provides employer-paid retirement options, annual leave, sick leave, and paid holidays.