Economic Justice Coordinator - Manufacturing

The Economic Justice Coordinator - Manufacturing will support the Director of Economic and Workforce Policy in a new, collaborative project to reshape the Bay Area’s blue-collar manufacturing industry by designing new models centered around the values of equity, high-road employment, sustainability and climate resilience, and shaped by workers and impacted community members themselves. This project includes two components: convening and guiding a local Santa Clara and San Mateo workgroup to design and develop pilot projects to improve job quality and equity in manufacturing; and coordinating with a broader Bay Area High Road Manufacturing Initiative, co-led by Working Partnerships, the Blue Green Alliance, the UC Berkeley Labor Center, and New Energy Nexus. This work is seeded by a Catalyst pre-development grant for the initial planning stage, which will run through September 2026.

POSITION SUMMARY

Working Partnerships USA is a community organization bringing together the power of grassroots organizing and public policy innovation to drive the movement for a just economy. We build the capacity of workers, low-income neighborhoods and communities of color to lead and govern. Based in Silicon Valley, we tackle the root causes of inequality and poverty by leading collaborative campaigns for quality jobs, healthy communities, equitable growth and a democracy that works for all. We are co-founders of Silicon Valley Rising which is fighting to inspire the tech industry to build an inclusive, middle class. For 25 years, Working Partnerships USA has been at the forefront of the national movement for a just economy driven by the power of working people.

The ideal candidate will have experience working with and taking leadership from organizations led by workers of color; knowledge of businesses and workers in the manufacturing sector; experience collaborating with business, labor, community, and government organizations; familiarity with Silicon Valley’s diverse communities; and a commitment to transformative power-building for economic, racial and gender justice.

Under the direction of the Director of Economic and Workforce Policy, the Economic Justice Coordinator will be responsible for planning, research, staffing and day-to-day support for a new South Bay high-road manufacturing initiative (“Manufacturing Futures”), and coordinating with the new regional Bay Area High Road Manufacturing Initiative (“BAHRMI”), including but not limited to:

• Meeting planning, facilitation, and staff support for Manufacturing Futures Advisory Committee.
• Designing and supervising High Road Business Engagement: one-on-one engagement with small and large employers to identify needs and shape pilots.
• Designing and supervising worker & community engagement to center the voices of workers, immigrants, people of color and other under-represented communities.
• Coordinating with educational and training partners to design local manufacturing career pathway strategies.
• Serving as liaison between Manufacturing Futures and the regional BAHRMI initiative.
• Project management, including developing and carrying out individual and collective workplans to achieve defined goals.
• Planning and carrying out coalition meetings, strategic planning sessions, community workshops, and/or other events as needed, with clear outcomes, structure, and preparation to ensure accountability to goals.
• Planning and carrying out presentations to a wide range of audiences.
• Designing and carrying out a scan of existing local manufacturing-related programs and resources (apprenticeships, community college programs, CBO programs, business supports, etc.)
• Research to support an analysis of job quality and equity gaps and opportunities in the Bay Area’s blue-collar manufacturing workforce.
• In addition to their core duties, the Economic Justice Coordinator will participate in Working Partnerships USA staff meetings and trainings and support major organizational campaigns and projects.
• Specific roles vary depending on the need, but may include:
  • Providing support for actions, meetings and events, including scheduling, turnout, event staffing, speaking, compiling minutes, and other duties as needed.
  • Representing Working Partnerships at meetings with allies and supporters, coordinating and attending actions, and supporting the work of the campaign and organization as a whole.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 1-2 years of prior related work experience in the manufacturing sector, supporting or collaborating with manufacturing employers, workers, and/or unions.
• Minimum 3-4 years of prior related work experience in economic development, economic justice, worker / community organizing, or other related roles. (may be combined with the 1-2 years experience above)
• Demonstrated ability to support multi-organizational partnerships or coalitions, including ensuring representation, engagement and buy-in, achieving outcomes, and navigating inter-organizational politics and relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to create and carry out workplans and project plans, including project team management, tracking systems to remain accountable to both team goals and individual work-plan goals, and ability to change and adapt plans as needed to meet goals.
• A demonstrated commitment to worker and community organizing, economic justice, and social justice movements.
• Experience working in low-income communities of color.
• Strong communication skills, in both one-on-one and group settings; experience in building trusting relationships with diverse individuals from many different backgrounds.
• Work closely with other team members; accountable to both team and individual goals.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy; ability to manage information with thoroughness, accuracy, confidentiality and professionalism.
• Experience making presentations to multiple audiences.
• Able to quickly respond to unexpected situations and problem-solve.
• Tenacity and resourcefulness in working through challenges or setbacks to reach a goal.
• Familiarity with Zoom, Microsoft Office Suite and/or Google Suite.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Have consistent and reliable attendance.
• Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Work under pressure with changing, ambiguous priorities.
• Communicate effectively and promptly to clients or employees of the organization.
• Follow written and oral instructions and procedures.

COMPENSATION AND LOCATION

This position is based in San Jose, California. The role is a mix of remote and in-person work in San Jose, typically with 2 days per week in person and 3 days per week remote (may change based on project needs). Some travel may be required, primarily within Santa Clara County, with occasional travel to other locations in the greater Bay Area.

This is a regular, full-time, exempt position, which may include required work some evenings and Saturdays.

The annual salary range for this position is $75,500-$102,000 and will be based on experience. A generous benefits package is offered including full family health, dental, vision, and acupuncture/chiropractic insurance; paid vacations and holiday leave; and 401(k) with employer contributions.

The deadline to apply for this position is March 9th.

Working Partnerships USA is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited category.

Salary

$75,500 - $102,000 per year