RUS-C4OB School Finance & Retirement Specialist

General Description

The California Teachers Association is one of California’s largest and most dynamic labor unions. CTA’s Center for Organizing and Bargaining (C4OB) is a field-based department providing essential support in organizing, bargaining, training, and strategic research for CTA leaders, members, and union staff in preK-14 and charter school settings.

Applicants should possess a deep understanding of school funding, bargaining, organizing, and retirement benefits systems in the public education sector, along with the ability to engage and inspire members, staff, and communities to further CTA’s objectives.

A strong commitment to the labor movement is essential.

As part of the C4OB team, the successful applicant will help drive improvements in school funding, working conditions, and educator compensation through member training, organizing, bargaining, strategic research, and advocacy carried out through local and statewide issue campaigns.

Position Description and / or Conditions Unique to this Assignment

The position will lead in development and execution of the Association’s goals through statewide analysis, planning, and coordination of staff, leaders, members, and other resources necessary to drive successful strategic campaigns in the areas of local organizing, bargaining, and statewide issues.

• Specifically, the position requires experience in analyzing and explaining federal, state, TK-12 district, county office, and community college budgets;
• conducting strategic research; creating and delivering training on fiscal and retirement topics for staff and leaders; analyzing the state education budget, pension provisions, and related legislation, with the ability to explain these issues within the context of public-sector advocacy, collective bargaining, and organizing;

proficiency in using spreadsheet and database programs to analyze fiscal and pension-related matters; and applying assessments of local, state, and federal resource and allocation issues and other research to develop strategies for increased school funding and educator compensation.

Additionally, the position requires strong interpersonal communication skills with specific expertise in dealing with difficult situations, such as comprehensive campaigns, state and local budget negotiations, impasse, and post-impasse bargaining and organizing, as well as the ability to effectively design, target, and direct resources for maximum organizational effect.

Excellent peer leadership, oral, and written skills, along with competency in using technology, including distance / digital communications and online training platforms, will be essential.

This is a statewide position and travel will be required.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as an internal resource and expert on federal, state, and local school funding, educator compensation, and retirement issues, advancing CTA’s objectives in these areas.
• Plan, organize, and assist strategic campaigns to increase school funding and educator pay and improve educator working conditions.
• Analyze and explain federal, state, school district, county office, and community college budgets and pension-related issues.
• Design and deliver programs on fiscal and pension-related issues for staff and leaders and create materials for organizing, collective bargaining, and issue campaigns in those areas.
• Utilize and enhance spreadsheet and database programs to analyze federal, state, and local fiscal issues.
• Serve as resource to staff and leaders on fiscal issues, including serving as a consultant to CTA State Council’s Financing Public Education Committee.
• Assist in the implementation of statewide campaigns to support CTA’s strategic goals, including strategic research and training using adult learning techniques and online platforms.
• Shape campaign strategies and lead campaign planning in a complex organizational environment.
• Prepare reports, deliver action-oriented presentations, and share complex information in an easy-to-understand manner that effectively frames the strategic issues and advances campaigns.
• Be proactive, take responsibility to ensure program success, and balance multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with tight timelines to deliver results.
• Actively contribute to team goals, foster a positive team environment, maintain collaborative relationships with diverse staff and membership, and work effectively across roles and departments.
• Ensure projects are aligned with union goals and provide excellent project management with attention to detail.
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned by the Executive Director or their designee.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher degree preferred.
• Deep understanding of the issues facing public schools and the education profession.
• Demonstrated experience in organizing and strike build-up; collective bargaining, including impasse, fact-finding and strikes;

school finance and district-level budgeting; and pension-related issues, particularly in California.

• Experience in organizing and campaigning, with relentless drive to proactively surpass campaign / program goals under pressure and with the tenacity to tackle challenges head-on in a fast-paced, dynamic, and rapidly changing environment.
• Experience supporting high-participation organizing campaigns and managing union programs from inception to completion, with an ability to analyze information, identify issues, and develop strategies for winning solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, coordinate and lead peers, and to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Adaptable and flexible. Able to adjust seamlessly and effectively to changing factors and conditions that impact C4OB and other union programs.
• Demonstrated support for racial, social, and economic justice, workers’ rights, and well-funded public education.
• Skilled in research and developing and conducting training programs.
• Computer proficiency for bargaining, organizing, strategic research, training, and communication needs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver’s license.
• Ability to work and travel regularly on some evenings and weekends.
• This position is in a bargaining unit represented by CSO. Salaries are established by a collective bargaining agreement.

Step placement is also determined by the CTA / CSO Agreement.

CTA values a diverse workplace and encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and members of ethnic minorities to apply.

CTA is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable state and federal laws.