Field Staff

Under the direction of the Director of Field Services, the Field Staff will support union leaders and members to build and maintain strong locals and a strong union. A Field Staff works with locals to develop and implement programs and activities related to membership growth, collective bargaining, member rights, organizing, professional issues, racial equity and social justice, political action, and community partnerships.

In addition, a Field Staff engages members through leadership identification, member training, and skills development. A Field Staff actively promotes membership in and engagement with Education Minnesota, the National Education Association (NEA), and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Education Minnesota is a member‑led labor union that has identified racial equity and social justice as primary organizational goals. All staff are expected to participate, individually and collectively, in ongoing training, discussions, and activities to advance these goals.

Support locals in the development and implementation of organizing plans, leaders, and members in the tactics of organizing and mobilizing, advising locals on organizing goals and strategies, and supporting worksite organizing infrastructure. Engage members and leaders in 1:1 conversations to assess members, identify issues, and identify potential leaders.

Work with leaders and members to develop and successfully implement on‑going programs of membership promotion, recruitment, and retention. Recruit participants for Education Minnesota events, trainings, and conferences. Assist in organizing unorganized education employees.

Support locals in all stages of the bargaining process, including serving on local negotiations teams as needed. Coordinate assistance to local negotiators from the Negotiations Department and other areas of Education Minnesota, NEA and AFT.

Strive to guarantee members’ rights through a variety of means. Train local leaders in principles of member rights advocacy, through the recognition and processing of grievances as well as through organizing and mobilizing. Prepare for and represent members and locals in investigations, grievance proceedings, hearings, arbitration sessions, and other settings.

Apply an anti‑racist lens to local, leader, and member interactions and support. Promote and support local engagement with racial equity and social justice issues. Use a variety of tools and opportunities—including but not limited to equity audits, the racial equity advocate program, equity, and anti‑racism trainings—to advance racial equity in public education.

Provide guidance in developing internal communications plans that encourage consistent, multi‑faced connections among members and leaders. Support the development and implementation of external communications plans.

Encourage and support local lobbying and political action programs. Coordinate communication between members and legislators. Develop members’ skills to work effectively in political campaigns. Participate in Education Minnesota campaign activities.

Provide relevant, timely information to leaders and members on issues related to education and professional development. Train members using adult‑learning best practices.

Communicate regularly and work collaboratively with colleagues and supervisors. Participate in collaborative staff teams on a variety of topics. Participate in internal and external anti‑racist, LGBTQ+ trainings. Demonstrate a commitment to creating an inclusive…