Becoming a UniServ Representative
About PSEA
Advocating for excellence in education since 1852, the Pennsylvania State Education Association employs 220 professional and associate staff members who represent and serve more than 185,000 teachers, education support personnel, curriculum specialists, librarians, healthcare workers, school dental hygienists, school nurses, school psychologists, school social workers, vocational-technical instructors, community and junior college faculties, students and retirees.
Pennsylvania is a bargaining state. Through our collective efforts, our teacher members enjoy an average salary ranked tenth in the nation in 2004-2005. Although national comparisons are not available for our other membership categories, we strive to secure comparable salary and benefits for them, as well.
PSEA seeks highly qualified individuals as opportunities arise to serve as UniServ Representatives (field service employees). Qualifications include a bachelors degree, the demonstrated ability to effectively represent school employees through collective bargaining and contract enforcement processes, an understanding of public education, knowledge of labor relations, strong interpersonal skills, outstanding oral and written communications, and the ability to work in an autonomous work environment. The demands of the job require individuals who are totally dedicated to the work and mission of PSEA. (For complete job description, see below)
Advantages of Employment with PSEA
- A comprehensive benefits package
- A collective bargaining agreement that extends through 2013
- A starting salary in 2012 of $98,873
- Credit for staff experience in other NEA affiliates
- Up to date technology, i. e. network systems, latest laptop computer and a state of the art collective bargaining system
- Support from our Research, Education Services, Communication, and Legal Divisions
- A strong staff union (All staff members are in a single bargaining unit.)
- Liberal training and professional development opportunities
- A team environment enhanced in many regions by the Service Center concept, in which multiple UniServ Representatives work collaboratively in the same office
- A full career (As employees of the state organization, virtually all UniServ Representatives remain with PSEA until they retire.)
Hiring Process
PSEA has a rigorous hiring process. After attending a UniServ Information Session and completing the required paperwork, a potential candidate will participate in a series of extensive oral and written exercises. If successful, the candidate's name will be added to our pool of qualified applicants. When a vacancy occurs and there are no internal applicants, several candidates from the pool are invited to appear before the local leaders in the UniServ cluster for the final interview. After reviewing the results of the interviews, the local leaders recommend the candidate of their choice to the PSEA Board of Directors for approval.
In order to ensure stable service to our members, there is a requirement to remain in your first UniServ position for 36 months. UniServ Representatives must reside within reasonable proximity of their service area.
Where to Apply
A letter of interest and a resume should be sent to PSEA Human Resources, 400 North Third Street, Box 1724, Harrisburg, PA 17105; sent via e-mail to jobs@psea.org; or faxed to 717/255-7005. PSEA is an affirmative action, EOE.
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
UniServ Representative
JOB SUMMARY:
- Organizes and acts as consultant to the Coordinating Council of the Cluster.
- Develops, plans, conducts leadership training programs for the cluster dealing with local association operations, curriculum development, improvement of instruction, communications, membership promotion, community relations, etc.
- Participates, by assignment, in the annual Leadership Workshop conducted by PSEA.
- Aids in the development and coordination of local association negotiations proposals made by locals in the cluster.
- Conducts training sessions for local association bargaining teams.
- Coordinates strategy and develops techniques for local association bargaining.
- Assists in analyzing school district budgets preparatory to bargaining.
- Works with local executive committees in the development of policy and of administrative procedures in the local associations.
- Aids local associations in the development of their year-round program of activities.
- Consults with and participates with local leaders in mediation sessions, prepares fact-finding presentations and binding arbitration briefs.
- Aids in the processing of grievances in the steps to and including arbitration.
- Coordinates and aids in the preparation of public relations efforts in the local.
- Frequently involved in at-the-table bargaining. Such assignments are at local option, but are occurring more and more frequently.
- Consults with and gives assistance to local associations in the evaluation of their local programs.
- Conducts workshops and other meetings designed to provide opportunity for local leaders to express their concerns and make policy recommendations to PSEA-NEA.
- Gives assistance in providing to local associations, local leaders, and individual members the specialized staff services available from PSEA and NEA.
- Aids individual members in matters requiring legal counsel.
- Undergoes constant training by participation in state and national workshops and training sessions related to bargaining, professional association developments, etc.
- Cooperates with PSEA and NEA staff members in research projects and in other programs designed to strengthen local association activities.
- Develops, coordinates, and stimulates membership promotion activities in the local association.
- Makes public appearances which require oral presentations on matters of interest to the profession. Lay groups, local associations, or public agencies of different kinds may on occasion require such presentations.
- Prepares papers, articles, general distribution letters, and other written materials which explain Association positions, or which instruct the membership and its leadership.
- Plans and coordinates collective bargaining election efforts.
- Participates in preparing the budget proposal which will be made by the Regional Field Director to the Assistant Executive Director for Membership Services.
- Administers and supervises the operation of the UniServ office when it is located separately from the branch office.
- Interviews and recommends for employment applicants for the position of secretary and subsequently evaluates secretarial performance under the personnel policy of the Association.
- The UniServ Representative provides other staff services on request of the Executive Director under the policies of the Association.