The Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation (TGCALF), AFL-CIO, a coalition of 92 unions and their 59,000 union members in the Houston region, seeks to hire a Lead Organizer to start immediately. The primary responsibility of the Lead Organizer will be to support local union organizing efforts in the Houston region through the Presidents Organizing Initiative table. This includes providing training, research, and other assistance to unions seeking to expand internal and new organizing. Additionally, the Lead Organizer will work with TGCALF staff to support growth and policy campaigns, such as the Build Houston Better campaign, campaigns centered around the human rights plan for the 2026 World Cup, and provide support for projects led by the Texas Climate Jobs Project.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Organizing support
Support local unions involved in President’s Organizing Initiative (POI) table
Recruit new local unions to participate in collaborate organizing efforts
Train POI locals’ leaders, staff, and activists in core organizing skills in collaboration with the AFL-CIO’s Growth hub
Provide support to local union organizing drives where gaps exist
Supporting growth and policy campaigns
Provide logistical and organizational support for labor-community policy, research and communications hub currently under development
Support local unions involved in Build Houston Better (BHB) campaign
Work with local unions involved in BHB campaign to ensure effective implementation of workforce standards already implemented by local governments
Identify, evaluate, and support efforts to expand implementation of BHB standards in other local jurisdictions
Support local unions involved in campaigns centered around the 2026 World Cup human rights plan
Support local unions organizing to raise workforce standards on World Cup 2026 projects
Work with local unions to identify organizing opportunities
Lead efforts to ensure effective implementation of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and other pro-worker federal legislation in the Gulf Coast region in collaboration with TGCALF staff, union leaders, community allies, and local elected officials
Provide assistance to labor-community initiatives led by Texas Climate Jobs Project
Provide assistance to workforce development initiatives where needed
Other duties as assigned
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Experience working as a union organizer or other closely-related role and in-depth understanding of worker organizing;
Proven ability to effectively coordinate and provide support to coalition efforts based on needs expressed by coalition members;
Strong verbal communication and presentation skills and ability to clearly and succinctly provide information to coalition members;
Experience coordinating and/or leading trainings for leaders, staff, and activists;
Strong research skills;
Advanced writing and computer skills;
Team player with ability to manage relationships in complex political and sensitive organizational situations.
Ability to plan, prioritize, and complete several projects on time simultaneously, with attention to details
Excellent oral, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, including ability to plan, facilitate, and make presentations to meetings with individuals at all levels of management and responsibility
Strong interpersonal skills; experience and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, including union staff at all levels;
Ability to work long hours or weekends as required and travel out of town occasionally as required
Valid Texas driver’s license and reliable vehicle
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
COMPENSATION
Base salary $65,000-70,000 depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits include high quality, employer-paid medical, eye, and dental insurance; generous paid time off benefits; workplace flexibility; 10% employer contribution to retirement plan on top of base pay; and option of voluntary contributions to 401(k) plan.
This position is based in Houston, TX.
Please email cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications plus resume with subject line “Lead Organizer Resume” to jobs@gcaflcio.org.
The Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO is an equal opportunity employer.