UTLA Organizer Position

AREA REPRESENTATIVE

JOB DESCRIPTION
The Area Representative will be assigned to sites/areas of the Los Angeles Unified School District including schools ranging from pre-school to Adult Education facilities, but primarily composed of elementary, middle and senior high schools. The Area Representative may also have assignments involving specific sub groups within the bargaining unit.

The Area Representative shall be responsible for:

A. Promoting membership in United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA).
B. Organizing a strong UTLA chapter in each location.
C. Developing site leadership and empowering members.
D. Interpreting the current Collective Bargaining Agreement and enforcing this Agreement by means of organizing and by representing teachers in all steps of the grievances procedure including binding arbitration.
E. Providing training in all areas of contract enforcement, chapter leadership, site organizing, and community coalition building.
F. Building and maintaining school/community coalitions
G. Providing such services as needed when so directed by the Director of Organizational Services.
H. Effectively communicating with membership

REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES
The Area Representative is responsible to the Director of Organizational Services for all aspects of his/her day-to-day activity.

SUPPORT SERVICES
The UTLA staff includes other Area Representatives, some who specialize in Adult Education, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Substitutes, a Professional Development Specialist, members of the Communications Department, Government Relations Department, Information Services and Technology, Business Office and clerical support staff.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS.
A. Ability to work with and provide leadership for teachers of all backgrounds and ethnicities.
B. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with highly educated professionals.
C. Ability to accept criticism and challenge from individuals and groups, both within and outside of the bargaining unit.
D. Available to work unusual hours and weekends as the job demands.
E. Ability to represent viewpoints of all affiliates equally.
F. Ability to use IBM P.C. for communication including writing and E-mail.
G. Undergraduate degree from an accredited college/university

PREFERABLE EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND
A. Experience in Union organizing.
B. Teaching background.
C. Experience in community organizing and coalition building.
D. Experience in working with minority groups.
E. Experience in contract enforcement including grievance handling.

DESCRIPTION OF LOCAL
United Teachers Los Angeles is a merged local affiliated with the California Teacher Association, California Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers. UTLA represents 48,,000 bargaining unit members in such diverse groups as Nurses, Psychologists, Social Workers, Librarians and Classroom Teachers. Wages, hours and working conditions of unit members are covered in the Collective Bargaining Agreement in effect between the Los Angeles Unified School District and UTLA.

Los Angeles is a metropolitan school district, which represents the various cultural and racial groups common to large urban areas. Within the District are over 750 school locations and a school budget of over $8 billion.

SALARY AND FRINGE BENEFITS
UTLA staff is represented by a staff union with a negotiated agreement.

Beginning salaries range from $71,588 - $81,588 per year depending on background and experience.

Fringe benefits include medical, dental, vision care for staff member and all dependents. There is an excellent retirement plan and a monthly automobile allowance for maintenance and operation of a car.

TO APPLY
Please call Louverne Chatman, secretary to Denise Rockwell-Woods, at (213) 637-5140 for an application and accompanying documents. Application and other documents should be sent to:

United Teachers Los Angeles
Attention: Denise Rockwell-Woods, Director of Organizational Services
3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90010

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY UTLA NO LATER THAN 5 PM, OCTOBER 2, 2008