Career Opportunities

Colorado Education Association
Vacancy Announcement
Exempt Staff
Assignment: Staff Attorney

Posting Date: September 22, 2023       Closing Date: October 13, 2023 (5:00 p.m. MST)

The Colorado Education Association is the largest union of educators in the state with more than 39,000 K-12 teachers, higher ed faculty, and education support professionals, as well as students preparing to become teachers, and retired educators. Our mission is to work collectively to provide the best public education for every student.

The Colorado Education Association is seeking qualified applicants for a Staff Attorney position.

The Colorado Education Association is an equal opportunity employer. We actively encourage people of color, women, individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, or gender non-conforming, people living with disabilities, veterans, and bilingual people to apply for open external positions at CEA. CEA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. CEA will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

The Staff Attorney is a Denver based position. CEA is currently operating in a hybrid work environment.

Essential Qualifications for the Position:
• Bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrated use of sound professional judgment
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills
• Knowledge of organizing principles and ability to develop and implement organizing plans
• Proficiency in advanced computer technologies
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Conflict resolution skills
• Understanding of member-based organizations
• Project planning and management skills
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and manage time and financial resources
• Ability to work with minimum supervision
• Willingness and ability to expand knowledge and skills in a rapidly changing environment
• Training and presentation skills
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with staff and leaders
• Willingness and ability to advocate for the membership and goals of the organization

Essential Qualifications for the Assignment:
• JD from ABA accredited law school
• Member in good standing of the Colorado state and federal bar
• Valid Colorado driver’s license and auto insurance in compliance with the rules and regulations of the state of Colorado
• Proficiency in advanced computer technologies including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Teams, Power Point, SharePoint, Document Management Software, and Google Docs and working knowledge of social media
• Minimum five years of combined litigation experience (preparing case, trying case and post-trial appeals) in administrative courts, state (civil and criminal) and federal courts, and appellate courts
• Demonstrated knowledge of state and federal public education law, labor law, employment law, administrative law, and state criminal law and procedures
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage all timelines for filing lawsuits, administrative proceedings, pleadings, and discovery
• Demonstrated ability to maintain comprehensive trial skills that include conducting trials, arbitrations, discovery, depositions, testimony, oral arguments, and writing trial pleadings in appellate practice at the state and federal appeals courts
• Demonstrated ability to learn powerful trial advocacy skills and become an advocate who holds strong union values and is committed to support organizational mission.
• An understanding about issues related to systemic racism and social justice and a commitment to advance diversity and social justice
• Work collaboratively with staff attorneys, paralegals, members, field staff, and local leaders to ensure cases are properly prepared
• Provide the Association with formal legal opinions
• Effectively handles and responds to variety of member related calls through the Officer of the Day legal program
• Present trainings to state and local leaders and members on a variety of legal issues that affect members and the organization
• Other duties as assigned by the General Counsel

Compensation and Benefits
This is a bargaining unit position with a salary range of $70,750 to $128,058 based upon prior experience. Fringe benefits include auto allowance; liberal vacation and sick leave; holidays; health, dental, disability, and life insurance; defined contribution retirement benefit and 401(k) plan.

Application Procedure
To complete an application, please visit the CEA career opportunities website – https://form.jotform.com/232433873333152.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis but must be received by CEA by 5pm (MST), October 13, 2023. The letter of interest that you will be asked to submit should be addressed to General Counsel at:

Colorado Education Association
1500 Grant Street
Denver, Colorado 80203

West Central Colorado UniServ Unit

Announcement of Vacancy for UniServ Director

Office: 2472 Patterson Ave #13

Grand Junction, CO 81505

The West Central Colorado UniServ Unit is seeking qualified candidates for the position of UniServ Director.

Date of Posting: June 8, 2023                                                                              Closing Date: Until Filled

West Central Colorado UniServ Description: The WCCU is located in scenic west central Colorado, near national parks and forests, ski areas, and numerous outdoor activity opportunities. The office is centrally located in Grand Junction and is staffed with one UniServ Director, one Organizer, and one Office Manager/Organizer who are hired by and responsible to the WCCU UniServ Council.

WCCU is a local option UniServ Unit encompassing nine active local associations and whose members include public education teachers, classified employees, and other professionals. The two largest associations have Collective Bargaining Agreements for their members.  Other associations have varying rights to “meet and confer” according to district policies.  Current WCCU membership is approximately 1,400 and there are 2,600 potential members. In addition to membership growth, there are opportunities for organizing additional locals.

Required Qualifications, Critical Attributes, Behaviors, and Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Public educator with a minimum of five years’ experience in K-12 schools preferred.
• Union membership experience and knowledge.
• Governance, leadership, and political organizing experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Good listening skills are a must.
• Knowledge in the areas of labor relations, grievance processing, and member advocacy.
• Proven experience in leader/member training.
• Excellent volunteer and membership recruitment skills for increasing member involvement.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work well with people from varied backgrounds and positions in a conservative based, rural environment.
• Proficiency in the use and implementation of computers.
• Experience as an effective organizer in membership, collective bargaining, traditional and interest-based facilitation, and political issues.
• Knowledge of education reforms, and political issues affecting public schools, preferably in Colorado.
• Be able to understand a budget and adhere to fiscal policies.
• Experience in community relations and community coalition building.
• Experience in contract negotiations and member advocacy.
• Ability to anticipate organizing opportunities and future organizational trends.
• Association leadership experience preferred.

Characteristics and Strengths:

• Self-starter with a strong work ethic.
• Strong personal and professional characteristics such as flexibility, integrity, time management, assertiveness, decisiveness, and a sense of responsibility.
• Ability to work effectively with limited supervision and to be an effective team player.
• Proven ability to use good judgment in decision-making.
• Open to new ideas and the ability to function effectively in an environment of change.
• Proven people skills, a sense of humor, and a “can do” attitude.
• Committed advocate for all association members and their needs as public education employees.

Responsibilities:

The primary responsibilities for this position are to work effectively with local association leaders in key program areas: organizing, membership recruitment/retention, community/political organizing, member advocacy, contract negotiations/maintenance, and leadership development/training. Additionally, the UniServ Director will be responsible for maintaining an effective working relationship with State CEA staff/leaders. The UniServ Director acts as the corporation manager and chief administrative officer of the Unit.

The UniServ Director position involves regular travel up to two hours away from the office, with periodic trips to the Front Range. Additional expectations include frequent evening and weekend work.

Compensation and Benefits:

Starting salary range of $70,000 to $120,000 based upon qualifications and experience. A range of fringe benefits include health and retirement packages, life and disability coverage, and paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave. Expenses and automobile allowance are negotiated as part of the employee contract.

Application Procedure:

Applications will be accepted through July 3, 2023. Interviews will take place in July, with employment to begin by September 1, 2023.

Please send a cover letter, resume, and professional references from a colleague, supervisor, and a union leader to:

West Central Colorado UniServ

Attention: Amy Sue Javernick

2472 Patterson #13

Grand Junction, CO 81505

OR

asjavernickmvea@gmail.com

West Central Colorado UniServ Unit is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We actively encourage people of color, women, individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ or gender non-conforming, people living with disabilities, veterans, and bilingual people to apply.

West Central Colorado UniServ Unit

Vacancy Announcement

Exempt, 1-Year Position

Organizer

Date of Posting: June 12, 2023                                                                        Closing Date: Until filled

The West Central Colorado UniServ Unit is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Organizer.

Position Description:

The West Central Colorado UniServ Unit, a division of the Colorado Education Association, supports over 1,400 teachers, special service providers, and classified public education employees throughout Western Colorado. The Unit’s office is in Grand Junction, CO and the Organizer will be required to travel to nearby communities. The position will involve evening and weekend work to meet with educators after their workday. The essential functions of this position include collaborating with local association presidents and other association leaders, as well as with the WCCU Unit staff. The top priorities of this position are to increase membership numbers and build member engagement in association activities.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Serve as a resource to local members with organizing and capacity building efforts to secure new collective bargaining agreements.
• Develop, organize, and execute membership and leadership campaigns.
• Collaborate with association and unit leaders regarding the execution of programs for membership and organizing.

• Visit buildings and attend social events to meet with members and potential members and facilitate building meetings in order to recruit and engage members and identify new leaders.
• Provide strategic support and content for communications, both internal and external, related to organizing campaigns.
• Prepare, organize and maintain reports/documents, including collecting data on conversations and organizing efforts, as directed by the Unit Chair or designee.
• Coordinate activities with the WCCU officers and Unit staff.
• Willingness and ability to drive to surrounding communities, with periodic trips to the Front Range and work long and/or irregular hours, including some nights and weekends.
• Ensure that local associations have access to materials and training to recruit and retain members.

• Support the coordination and training of leaders and members in organizing and planning.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality regarding the Unit’s business and protecting members’ privacy from the public.
• Participate in and/or coordinate necessary meetings, workgroups, workshops and conferences as appropriate or as assigned.
• Establish and maintain a working relationship with Unit staff, community, and education and labor groups/coalitions.
• Perform all responsibilities/duties in a timely fashion.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Unit Chair or designee.

Essential Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in successfully developing, implementing, and winning organizing campaigns that have resulted in increased membership, leadership, and member engagement.
• Demonstrated use of sound professional judgment.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills.
• Proven skills in organization, communication, collaboration, and interpersonal relationships.
• Proficiency in basic computer technologies, databases, and social media platforms.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Understanding of membership-based organizations.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities, time, and financial resources.
• Willingness and ability to advocate for the membership and goals of the organization.
• Characteristics including initiative, self-direction, drive, flexibility, engagement, and a positive attitude with a solution-oriented focus.
• Ability to provide sound advice and commit to governance’s chosen path.
• Willingness and ability to drive and work long and/or irregular hours including some weekends.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in public education.
• Union involvement.
• Experience supporting political and/or community campaigns.
• Ability to design, produce, and manipulate database reports, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
• Bilingual; Spanish preferred

Compensation and Terms of Position:

The beginning salary range shall be $40,000-$60,000.

• This is a twelve-month employment contract, paid bi-monthly.

A range of fringe benefits include health and retirement packages, life and disability coverage, and paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave. Expenses and automobile allowance are negotiated as part of the employee contract.

Application Procedure:

Applications will be accepted through July 3, 2023. Interviews will take place in July, with the desired start date to be August 14, 2023.

Please send a cover letter, resume, and professional references from a colleague, supervisor, and a union leader to:

West Central Colorado UniServ

Attention: Amy Sue Javernick

2472 Patterson #13

Grand Junction, CO 81505

OR

asjavernickmvea@gmail.com

West Central Colorado UniServ Unit is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We actively encourage people of color, women, individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ or gender non-conforming, people living with disabilities, veterans, and bilingual people to apply.