Senior Researcher

SEIU Healthcare IL IN MO KS is a dynamic, action-oriented union representing 95,000 healthcare and child care workers throughout Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Kansas. We believe in a society defined by freedom and justice, where we can all have quality education, health care and jobs, and where we all can live a full and plentiful life of our choosing. SEIU HCIIMK’s mission is to organize together to build power and demand and win social and economic justice for our communities.

Purpose

The Senior Research Analyst develops and implements research program that supports union campaigns, community organizing, and political campaigns. This position involves economic analysis, industry research, financial analysis, employment law analysis, and other research analysis as necessary. Researcher is expected to work across local on various industries and campaigns, as assigned.

Location: Chicago, IL

Duties And Responsibilities

• Compile, summarize, and analyze data on industries, specific companies, individuals and issues in support of organizing and social change campaigns
• Ensure major initiatives of the union are thoroughly informed by industry and policy context
• Participate with lead level campaign and research staff in planning processes and discussions regarding strategy
• Produce a variety of written research products for internal and external audiences
• Guide others in producing written research product for internal audiences
• Define, develop, and implement research program for multiple campaigns and for one or more industries
• Develop and maintain databases and other data resources
• Guide others in developing and maintaining data resources
• Develop and propagate new areas of knowledge and research methods to keep the union up to speed in analysis of rapidly-changing industries
• Develop new creative solutions to complicated problems
• Lead project teams or team meetings as appropriate
• Synthesize relevant facts/issues from a large amount of information/data
• Respond to requests for information and analysis from organizers or other staff
• Guide others in synthesizing relevant information and responding to research requests from organizers and others
• Help guide the research team in identifying and addressing cross-division Local issues, opportunities, and challenges
• Perform other duties as required to support the department and its mission
• Effectively communicate the Union’s vision and mission
• Other Duties as assigned
  
  

Scope And Nature Of Supervision

This individual must be able to organize his or her time, and develop and carry out work plans with minimum supervision or daily direction. S/he must also be able to effectively give and receive feedback, and work together with direct supervisor, peers, organizational leaders, members, and their direct staff, if applicable.

Criteria For Evaluation

• Build research program via combined work both within and outside research department
• Maintain good working relations with other staff and members
• Balance conflicting demands successfully and operate independently at a high level
• Carry out assigned responsibilities in a competent and professional manner in keeping with the Local’s overall goals and expectations
  
  

Working Conditions

Senior Research Analyst may be required to work long and irregular hours, and to work on weekends and holidays when necessary.

Key Qualification Criteria

• At least 5 years working in labor organizing or community organizing as a campaign researcher, research analyst, or strategic campaigner
• A strong commitment to progressive social change; activist or organizing experience strongly preferred
• BA or BS degree from an accredited four-year college or university in labor, public health, economics, social science, or a related field strongly preferred
• Basic working knowledge of Microsoft Office, databases and Internet
• Possession of excellent research and research synthesis skills
• Sound interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to form and play leading roles in effective teams within a complex organizational environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Ability to work well under tight deadlines in a team environment
• Thorough familiarity with unions and their philosophies
• Experience and working familiarity with strategies and campaign models for achieving social change
• Willingness to work long and irregular hours when needed to meet campaign demands
• Familiarity with policy context and industry dynamics of health care and/or human services strongly preferred
• Ability to lead, motivate and inspire others and participate in key union organizing activities even in the face of employer opposition and intimidation (i.e. building organizing committees, member to member organizing, actions, etc.)
• Desire to learn about labor history, collective bargaining, organizing models and other relevant information, and ability to support others in doing the same
• Must be able to handle multiple priority projects simultaneously and meet established deadlines and remain accountable to leaders, senior staff, and organizational goals
• Good and ethical judgment. Willingness to take initiative, to work with a team
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus
  
  

Salary And Benefits

• Salary Exempt position is competitive and commensurate with experience. Target compensation starts at $75,696. Company-paid Benefits are included.
  
  

Apply online at http://www.seiuhcilin.org/careers