Union Advocacy Intern
About United Teachers of Dade: United Teachers of Dade is a union of professionals who work to advance the cause of public education. We educate students, empower our members, and work with parents and the community to build a stronger Miami.
The Opportunity: The Union Advocacy Clerkship will provide individuals with opportunities for meaningful hands-on experiences working on projects and being part of a team while contributing to the larger goals of the United Teachers of Dade. You will help represent UTD members facing violations of their rights pursuant the M-DCPS-UTD Contract and complete legal research related to state and federal labor rights. This includes learning the union grievance process and preparing for future collective bargaining sessions, whether you choose a union career or volunteer path. There will be ample opportunities to interface with and work alongside policy makers at the local and state level, which will prove beneficial for those seeking long-term employment in the public sector. UTD is heavily connected to the community, so working with us would be a great way to grow connections and memories in the area.
Job Responsibilities:
o Participate in UTD member representation based on member Weingarten rights with the assistance of UTD staff.
o Research legal authority relevant to unique member complaints (issue spotting).
o Identify contractual rights applicable to UTD member issues from the M-DCPS-UTD Contract.
o Revise and draft memoranda summarizing legal research and conclusions for supervisory review.
o Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications (Required):
o Growth Mindset – Ability to take and implement feedback.
o Relentlessly Goal-Oriented – Enjoys working toward and achieving ambitious goals. Keeps calm in stressful situations. Has the capacity and willingness to work hard during peak season, rolling up their sleeves and getting the work done.
o Cultural Competency – Able to build authentic relationships across lines of difference, such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, gender identity, citizenship status, or other identities. Understands how to take an inclusive lens into all aspects of work.
o Strong Work Ethic and Problem-Solving Abilities.
o Project Management – Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities; attention to detail.
o Communication Skills – Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
o Availability – 10 hours of availability each week (minimum).
Qualifications (Preferred)
o Strong Legal Research Skills – Experience identifying and analyzing relevant legal authority based on unique fact narratives. Competency using Westlaw and Bluebook legal citation formatting.
o Ability to travel throughout Miami-Dade County, Florida (travel expenses covered).
Note: Beginning and end dates are flexible. Students are encouraged to apply for academic credit with their university.
Equity and Inclusion: The United Teachers of Dade has a vision for a deeply inclusive and diverse labor organization. In order to be successful at the United Teachers of Dade, candidates must have the cultural competence to successfully work with a diverse array of constituency groups. We especially strongly encourage applicants with close ties to Black, Indigenous, AAPI, Latin@, Muslim, non-English-speaking, disability, and LGBTQ communities. The United Teachers of Dade is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
How to Apply: Please send current resume and brief cover letter to vincent@utd.org with "Union Advocacy Intern Application" in the subject line. Application documents submitted via Handshake will also be reviewed but please apply directly via email.