Administrative Assistant - Strategic Organizing Center

WHO WE ARE:

The Strategic Organizing Center (SOC) engages in paradigm-shifting campaigns that confront corporate misconduct, racism and sexism, and challenges existing anti-worker policy and corporate-friendly law in order to grow union membership throughout the US economy. We do this work in partnership with our affiliated unions and with the broader progressive community in the US and globally. Since our establishment in 2005, we have been mission focused on helping workers and unions organize for power at work. Today, our work is focused on such companies as Amazon, Google, McDonald’s, Uber, and campaigns including the Fight for $15 and Code CWA.

The Strategic Organizing Center is a democratic union federation whose three affiliated unions – the Service Employees International Union, the Communications Workers of America, and the United Farmworkers – represent some 3 million workers. These unions have been leaders of the American labor movement’s efforts to help workers form unions to secure fair pay, benefits, and justice on the job.

WHAT WE DO:

Through cutting-edge research and innovative campaigns, the SOC advocates for workers, consumers and other constituencies harmed by concentrated corporate power across a wide range of industries, including food service, transportation and logistics, communications, healthcare and more.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Strategic Organizing Center (SOC) is seeking an Administrative Assistant to be responsible for providing overall general administrative and operational support. This is an integral role in ensuring all office operations run effectively and efficiently.

THE WORK:

• Help develop and implement digital communications strategy across web, social, and email channels, ensuring messaging continuity across channels.
• Provide administrative, clerical, and customer assistance. Greet customers, prepare required paperwork, process payments, answer inquiries, and routine correspondence.
• Greet visitors and make them feel comfortable, both in person and over the phone
• Provide routine and general information regarding organization. Respond to questions and requests for information or direct individuals to appropriate department or personnel. Relay messages, make appointments, or schedule meetings.
• Provide administrative support for Operations Team. Such as composing, editing, and/or proofreading a variety of documents including correspondence, reports, memos, letters, notices, forms, notes, etc.
• Maintain and update information via data entry in various systems, files, records, and/or logs. Organize files and retrieve data effectively.
• Receive, sort, and distribute incoming and outgoing mail.
• Order, inventory, and maintain adequate office supplies. Maintain office equipment and arrange for repairs when necessary.
• Maintain calendar and schedule of activities, meetings, and various events. Set up meetings and appointments. Coordinate activities with other teams, the public, and outside agencies. Coordinate travel arrangements and ensure that meeting facilities are prepared.
• Perform other duties as required to support the SOC Operations Team.

An individual should demonstrate the following competencies to perform the essential functions of this position successfully:

• Problem Solving: Anticipates problems; sees how a problem and its solution will affect other units; gathers information before making decisions; weighs alternatives against objectives and arrives at reasonable decisions; works to eliminate all processes which do not add value; analyzes current procedures for possible improvements; notifies supervisor of problems in a timely manner.
• Cooperation and Teamwork: Works harmoniously with others to get a job done; responds positively to instructions and procedures; able to work well with staff, co-workers, peers and managers; shares critical information with everyone involved in a project in a timely manner; works effectively on projects that cross functional lines; helps to set a tone of cooperation within the work group and across groups.
• Reliability: Personally responsible; completes work in a timely, consistent manner; works hours necessary to complete assigned work; is regularly present and punctual; arrives prepared for work; is committed to doing the best job possible; keeps commitments.
• Communications: Creates an atmosphere in which timely and high-quality information flows smoothly to colleagues at all levels, within or external of the organization; encourages open expression of ideas and opinions. Effectively transfers thoughts and expresses ideas orally or verbally in individual or group situations.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

The Strategic Organizing Center (SOC) is seeking candidates who are passionate about our mission and are highly proactive. Candidates for employment at SOC, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:

• Strong commitment to social justice and workers’ rights
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self and colleagues
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.
• Use of deep research and investigation to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.
• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Comfort with Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.

QUALIFICATIONS:

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications below, our ideal candidate would bring:

• Ability to multi-task and prioritize in a busy and dynamic work environment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work as a team member with minimal supervision.
• Solid written and oral communication skills and excellent phone manners.
• Ability to develop effective work plans, organize details, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to operate and troubleshoot standard office equipment.
• Positive and professional attitude; strong work ethic.

Minimum Required Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
• 2+ experience in an office support role.
• 2+ experience in a non-profit organization.
• 2+ years of experience in labor, union, and/or progressive organization.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, and other Apps for Business.
• Familiarity with QuickBooks a plus.

Physical Demands & Working Environment:

• Be able to physically come into the office 5 days a week.
• Be able to lift at least 25lbs, moving boxes, supplies, etc.

• Some travel required.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required.

Application Requirements:

A resume is required for all applications and a cover letter is highly suggested. Your cover letter should explain your reason for wanting to work for us, an example of how you demonstrated success in a similar position, and a description of how this position fits into your long-term career plan.

Women and people of color are strongly urged to apply. The Strategic Organizing Center does not discriminate in any of its programs, procedures, or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orienta­tion, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in employment and application for employment.