Position Summary

South Seattle College is looking to hire a Director for the Labor Education Research Center (LERC) at our Georgetown campus.

Salary Range for this position is $82,348.00 to $113,719.00 annually, depending on experience.

Initial review of application materials will begin on Monday, September 23rd. Early applications are encouraged. This position will remain open until filled.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Job ID 14223

Position Summary

The Director of the Labor Education and Research Center (LERC) is responsible for the design, oversight, and implementation of multiple adult labor education programs, public events, and labor policy research. The Washington State Labor Education and Research Center was established in 1987 to provide direct education and research services in higher education to unions in Washington State. Though based at South Seattle College, the LERC is a statewide organization and a unique program within higher education in Washington.

The mission of the LERC is to deliver high-quality education and training programs for the dynamic and diverse working population of Washington State, using the best practices of adult education. LERC curriculum builds the skills, confidence, and knowledge working people need to be effective leaders in efforts to improve their lives and communities, and to promote a just economy through collective action. LERC research contributes to civic engagement about policies impacting working families and workers¿ organizations.

The LERC also organizes large public events such as conferences, provides contract training to unions and other workers¿ organizations, serves as a resource for faculty, students, and staff within the Seattle Colleges and other educational organizations, produces the Washington State Workers¿ Rights manual, can offer classes through Continuing Education at South Seattle College, and has a book, film, and training materials library available for public use.

The Director of the LERC is responsible for the oversight and management of LERC¿s staff and budget; current staff configuration at the LERC includes two labor educators, one labor policy researcher and grant writer, and one program coordinator. Reporting Relationships: The Director of the LERC supervises the exempt and classified employees at the Labor Center, has direct responsibility for the functioning of the center within South Seattle College, and reports directly to Georgetown Executive Dean.

This position is an exempt, non-represented civil service role. This positions work modality is currently hybrid with minimum three days/week on campus. Modality expectations of this role are not static and may change as department, division or campus needs shift.

About Us

We are a district of three distinct colleges North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College and five specialty training centers. Which makes us the largest and most diverse community college district in the state of Washington, we are leaders in change and innovation.

Seattle Colleges is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and employees who together create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation.

As a Seattle Colleges employee, you will gain access to a great benefits package including:

Competitive Pay Rates
Promotional Opportunities
Great Medical, Dental, and Retirement plans
Paid Sick and Vacation Leave
Transportation benefits
Tuition Waivers
PEBB Wellness Plan
Washington State Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Seattle Colleges staff and faculty also enjoy professional development opportunities and enrichment experiences in areas of their choice, including committee, workgroup, and affinity group opportunities.

Application Procedures:

Attach current Resume
Attach cover letter addressing how your background intersects with the job

Required application materials must be completed and submitted online

Notice to Applicants:

Please note that Seattle Colleges has moved to holding interviews virtually using video conference options such as Zoom or Teams. As such, if you are selected for an interview, please be prepared to hold your interview virtually.

What you will be working on:

Provides vision, leadership, and management to develop and support LERC programs that respond to the educational needs of labor unions, workers, students, student apprentices, and community members involved in civic engagement and economic empowerment.
Develops and leads the implementation of a strategic plan for the LERC that prioritizes quality labor education and research programs.
Works collaboratively with key stakeholders (e.g. LERC Advisory Committee) and LERC staff as part of the design, development, and implementation process for LERC programs, education, and research.
Ensures all planning and programs of the Washington LERC are created through and advance anti-racism, anti-sexism, and anti-genderism.
Cultivates relationships with key leaders and workers at labor centers locally and nationally to share strategies on program development and planning of the WA LERC.
Manages LERC personnel by hiring, training, and evaluating staff paid through LERC budgets.
Ensures the financial health of LERC through responsible administration of multiple budgets, grant development, and revenue enhancement.
Defines success as director in terms of the whole team by creating a feeling of belonging.
Serves as lead ambassador to labor unions, the Washington State Labor Council and other AFL-CIO bodies, other institutions of higher education, and national labor education organizations.
Maintains an active LERC Advisory Committee through recruiting members, and planning and scheduling quarterly Advisory Committee meetings.
Serves as one of the LERC¿s educators by designing curriculum, planning, and implementing workshops, and giving presentations.
Oversees and/or actively researches to provide data and analysis about labor policy issues; consults about policies impacting labor organizations, work environments, workforce development, and occupational safety and health.
Works with LERC staff, South Seattle College staff, unions and/or community partners to author grant proposals to foundations, government agencies, and other potential funders as appropriate.
Works with South Seattle College administration and faculty to integrate the LERC into the curricula of the college and develop a degree or certificate program in Labor Relations.
Serves on committees and participates in projects of the South Seattle/Seattle Colleges communities.
Other duties as assigned.

What you bring as a candidate: (Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education and Experience)

Bachelor's Degree relevant to the position and/or the equivalent experience developing and implementing labor education programs in an education setting and in the field.
Ability to actively lead efforts to integrate equity and inclusion and anti-bias policies and practices in a program.
Administrative experience, including instructional team member supervision and professional development; budget development and management.
Ability to build and maintain internal and external partnerships.
Experience with collective bargaining agreements.
Experience teaching adults on topics that affect their lives at work and in the community.
Demonstrated understanding of how labor unions operate and the role they play in politics and the economy.
Demonstrated understanding how apprenticeship programs operate and their importance as a form of labor education.
Event planning experience (e.g. conferences).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.