Application Guide
How to Apply for Field Coordinator - SEIU Healthcare Michigan (HCMI)
at SEIU
🏢 About SEIU
SEIU Healthcare Michigan (HCMI) is the largest healthcare workers' union in Michigan, representing over 50,000 long-term care and hospital workers who are fighting to raise standards for caregivers and expand access to affordable healthcare. As part of the two-million-member Service Employees International Union, HCMI is deeply committed to building a multi-racial, multi-generational labor movement that centers worker power and creates healthy communities across the state. Working here means joining a dynamic, mission-driven organization where you can directly contribute to improving the lives of healthcare workers and the people they care for.
About This Role
As Field Coordinator, you will provide leadership, direction, and development to a team of internal organizers, coordinating key initiatives within the internal organizing department. You will lead strategic campaigns to engage new employees, defend contracts, and build effective member leader structures, ensuring clear communication with all members. This role is impactful because you will directly shape the union's ability to grow worker power and secure better conditions for healthcare workers across Michigan.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve leading a virtual check-in with your team of organizers, reviewing campaign progress, and strategizing next steps for engaging new healthcare workers. You could spend time coaching an organizer on a one-on-one member conversation, analyzing data to track campaign metrics, and coordinating with union leadership on key initiatives. In the afternoon, you might join a member leader meeting to discuss contract defense tactics or participate in a planning session for an upcoming action.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who SEIU Is Looking For
- Proven experience in labor organizing, union campaigns, or community organizing, with a track record of leading and developing teams of organizers or activists.
- Deep commitment to the labor movement and social justice, with a strong understanding of worker power, collective bargaining, and member engagement strategies.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills, able to motivate and coordinate diverse teams, manage complex campaigns, and build relationships with members and stakeholders.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing circumstances, and drive campaigns to successful outcomes.
📝 Tips for Applying to SEIU
Highlight your experience in labor organizing or union campaigns, specifically any work with healthcare workers or in Michigan, as HCMI values familiarity with the local context.
Demonstrate your ability to lead and develop teams by providing concrete examples of how you've mentored organizers, built member leader structures, or coordinated complex campaigns.
Show your commitment to SEIU's mission by referencing specific HCMI campaigns or initiatives you admire, and explain how your values align with building a multi-racial, multi-generational labor movement.
Use language from the job description in your resume and cover letter, such as 'internal organizing,' 'member leader structures,' 'defend contracts,' and 'strategic campaigns,' to show you understand the role.
If you have experience working remotely or coordinating remote teams, emphasize it, as this position is remote but based in Michigan, requiring strong self-direction and virtual collaboration skills.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your personal connection to the labor movement and why you are passionate about empowering healthcare workers, especially in Michigan.', 'Specific examples of how you have successfully led a team of organizers to achieve campaign goals, such as increasing membership, winning contract fights, or engaging new workers.', 'Your understanding of the challenges facing healthcare workers in Michigan and how you would approach building member leader structures to address them.', 'Your ability to work remotely while staying connected to a Michigan-based team and maintaining effective communication with members and staff.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Learn about SEIU Healthcare Michigan's recent campaigns, contract victories, and current priorities by visiting their website and social media pages.
- → Research the healthcare landscape in Michigan, including major hospital systems and long-term care facilities, to understand the context in which HCMI organizes.
- → Understand SEIU's national structure and key initiatives, such as the Fight for $15 and union, to see how HCMI fits into the broader movement.
- → Read about Michigan labor laws and right-to-work status, as these factors impact organizing strategies and member engagement.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being vague about your organizing experience or using generic language that doesn't demonstrate a clear understanding of internal organizing and member leadership development.
- Failing to show commitment to the labor movement or social justice—this role requires genuine passion for worker empowerment, not just a job.
- Neglecting to mention any connection to Michigan or remote work experience; since the role is remote but based in Michigan, employers want to know you can effectively work in that context.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!