Application Guide

How to Apply for Assistant Director Organizing Capacity Program

at Service Employees International Union - SEIU

🏢 About Service Employees International Union - SEIU

SEIU is a dynamic, member-led union of over 2 million diverse workers across healthcare, public sector, and property services. It is unique in its explicit commitment to uprooting structural racism and building worker power to achieve a Just Society, making it an ideal place for organizers who want to combine labor rights with broader social justice.

About This Role

This role is central to SEIU’s mission by designing and scaling organizing capacity programs that equip local unions and campaigns with the skills and resources to win. You will assess gaps, create curricula, and train staff, directly strengthening the union’s ability to organize new members and build long-term power.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve a morning video call with senior organizers to assess capacity gaps, followed by drafting a training module on member leadership development. Afternoon could include reviewing a local union’s campaign plan to identify training needs, then facilitating a virtual workshop for staff on effective one-on-ones. You’ll also spend time collaborating with the Organizing Hub on curriculum updates.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Service Employees International Union - SEIU Is Looking For

  • A seasoned organizer with at least 10 years of external organizing experience, who has successfully managed campaigns and developed staff for 7+ years.
  • An experienced curriculum developer who has created training materials and facilitated adult learning, ideally in a labor or social justice context.
  • A strategic thinker who can assess organizational needs, design scalable programs, and collaborate across diverse teams (campaigns, locals, national hub).
  • A leader committed to racial and economic justice, with excellent communication skills and the ability to work remotely while building strong relationships.

📝 Tips for Applying to Service Employees International Union - SEIU

1

Highlight specific examples of organizing campaigns you led or managed, including numbers of new members organized and staff supervised.

2

Showcase your curriculum development experience by mentioning specific trainings you designed, the audience, and the impact on organizing capacity.

3

Emphasize your ability to work remotely and across diverse teams, as this role is remote but requires close collaboration with multiple stakeholders.

4

Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description like 'organizing capacity', 'campaign management', 'training materials', and 'adult education'.

5

In your cover letter, connect your organizing experience to SEIU’s mission of fighting structural racism and building worker power.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your deep commitment to SEIU’s vision of a Just Society and uprooting structural racism through worker organizing.', 'Concrete examples of how you have built organizing capacity in previous roles (e.g., training programs, staff development, campaign wins).', 'Your experience in curriculum development and adult education, with specific examples of materials you created.', 'Your ability to collaborate with diverse teams and adapt to remote work while maintaining strong relationships.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review SEIU’s current campaigns and recent wins (e.g., Fight for $15, Justice for Janitors) to understand their organizing priorities.
  • → Read SEIU’s public statements on racial justice and the Just Society to align your answers with their values.
  • → Explore SEIU’s Organizing Hub structure and how it supports local unions, as this role works closely with that hub.
  • → Familiarize yourself with SEIU’s training programs (e.g., Organizing Institute) to show you understand their existing capacity-building efforts.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you assessed an organizing program’s gaps and designed a capacity-building solution. What was the outcome?
2 How do you approach developing training for adult learners with varying levels of organizing experience?
3 How have you managed and developed organizing staff to grow their skills and leadership?
4 What is your experience with racial justice and equity in organizing, and how would you incorporate that into capacity building?
5 How would you collaborate with local unions and the national hub to implement a new training program across different regions?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on your own organizing wins without showing how you developed others or built capacity.
  • Underestimating the importance of curriculum development—don’t skip over this requirement in your application.
  • Giving generic answers about union organizing without connecting to SEIU’s specific mission and anti-racism work.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Service Employees International Union - SEIU!

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