SEIU Healthcare Illinois & Indiana is a dynamic, action-oriented union of over 90,000 healthcare and child care workers throughout Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Kansas. As one of the largest and fastest growing affiliates of the Service Employees International Union, SEIU HCII is committed to building power for low and moderate income families by organizing workers for economic and social justice.
 
Purpose:
The Researcher 1 supports union campaigns, community organizing, and political campaigns. This position also involves economic analysis, industry research, financial analysis, employment law analysis, and other research analysis as assigned. Although researchers are expected to work across divisions, the current open position will be focused on health care and/or long-term care divisions.
Location: Chicago
 
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Compile, summarize, and analyze data on industries, specific companies, individuals and issues in support of health care and/or long-term care division campaigns
• Assist in production of written materials for internal and external audiences
• Assist in maintenance of databases and development of other data resources
• Respond to requests for information and analysis from organizers or other staff
• Define, develop, continually revise, and execute a research work plan for multiple campaigns; meet deadlines
• Synthesize relevant facts/issues from a large amount of information/data
• Learn and develop new skills to keep pace in analysis of rapidly-changing industries
• Work collaboratively with research team to identify and address cross-division Local issues, opportunities, and challenges
• Perform other duties as required to support the department and its mission

 
Scope and Nature of Supervision:
The Researcher 1 must be able to organize his or her time, and develop and carry out plans with minimum supervision. S/he must also be able to receive direction from and interact with his or her supervisor as necessary, as well as incorporating guidance from leading members of project teams outside the research discipline.
 
Criteria for Evaluation:

• Maintain working relations with other staff and members
• Balance conflicting demands successfully
• Work independently
• Carry out assigned responsibilities in a competent and professional manner in keeping with the Local’s overall goals and expectations

Working Conditions:
The Researcher 1 may be required to work long and irregular hours, and to work on weekends and holidays when necessary.
 
Other Expectations:
All union staff are expected to respect the processes of the organization and to work within the framework of the organization to resolve internal disputes and issues.
 
Key Qualification Criteria:

• A strong commitment to progressive social change; activist or organizing experience is a plus
• BA or BS degree from an accredited four-year college or university in labor, public health, economics, social science, or a related field and/or prior research experience
• Possession of basic research skills
• Possession of excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Ability to work well under tight deadlines and in a team environment
• Knowledge of unions and their philosophies
• Knowledge of research techniques and processes
• Knowledge of quantitative techniques and analysis
• Demonstrated comfort with numbers and technology
• Knowledge of a variety of computer based research tools
• Willingness to work long and irregular hours when needed to meet campaign demands
• Familiarity with health care and/or long-term care industries is a plus

 
Additional Information:
• Professional training opportunities
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus
 
Salary and Benefits:
• Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Benefits included.
 
The Researcher 1 is an FLSA exempt position.
 
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.