Internal Organizing Business Agent (IOBA)

SEIU Local 668

Internal Organizing Business Agent (IOBA)

Based in Central PA

Title: Internal Organizing Business Agent (IOBA)
Location: Pennsylvania (Central)
Job Type: Full Time
Reports to: Staff Director
Supervises: This position does not supervise staff.
Salary: $70,937.14 plus a generous benefit package including retirement pension.

Position Description
This is a professional position servicing Local and State Unit Shops in Pennsylvania, both public and private-sector. The IOBA is the front-line leader-representative of the union in the Union’s relationship with its members, stewards, officers, other unions, employers and outside entities. This position reports directly to the Staff Director. This is a field staff position that will travel to shops in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Elk, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Indiana Counties. Generous travel and compensation package. This is a bargaining unit position.

About SEIU Local 668
SEIU Local 668 represents nearly 20,000 health and human services workers, including those who work as employment and youth counselors, social workers, corrections and probation officers, ChildLine and 911 operators, drug and alcohol counselors, and court employees, among others. Approximately half of our members are employed by the Commonwealth, and another 9,000 work for the municipal, county, and private employers across the state. Our members are a diverse group of individuals, of varying ethnicities, political affiliations, and beliefs, but they are united by their dedication to serving our constituents – the people of Pennsylvania.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Negotiations – The IOBA serves as the chief negotiator for shops in the public and private sector. Must have knowledge of applicable bargaining laws, and an understanding of normal practices. Conducts contract surveys and develops budgets for each contract. Possesses the skills to analyze situations (including costing out contracts and understanding employer budgets), synthesize information and determine the appropriate bargaining strategies and tactics.
• Interest Arbitration – Compiles all necessary documents and prepares witnesses, serves as advocate at the Interest Arbitration on behalf of the Union.
• Contract Administration and Enforcement – The IOBA is responsible for assisting stewards and members with grievances where violations of the contract are alleged and assists stewards in presentation at first step hearing for Commonwealth cases; Assists stewards in grievance processing up to the Arbitration level for Local Units; enters grievance information into Union’s online grievance system; identifying potential unfair labor practices and gathers initial information.
• Internal Organizing – IOBA’s support internal organizing in the local at three levels: in shops, within the geographic chapters where they are based and in statewide standing and work committees.
  • Shop Level: IOBA’s work with shop leaders to build internal structures and processes for communications and labor management dialogue; ensure all new member orientations (or new hire welcoming) are covered by staff or member leaders; help maintain accurate worksite lists in coordination with shop leaders, employers and union administrative staff; conduct steward trainings at shop levels; identify and develop shop leaders and support mobilization efforts
  • Chapters: IOBA’s work with other staff and chapter leaders to support union programming in the chapter (ie, regular meetings, periodic trainings etc); conduct steward trainings in the chapter; support mobilization efforts
  • Statewide Standing and Work Committees: IOBA’s are assigned as primary staff for statewide standing and work committees. They may also play supporting roles with work committees as they may be the Internal Organizer for shops that fall under those committees. Primary committee staff are responsible for working with committee chairs, and other departments in the union to develop yearly goals and plans and help member leaders to execute them.
• Political and Community Relationships – In the geographies where they are based, IOBA’s work with member leaders and other staff to develop and maintain relationships with political, labor and community leaders. They may be asked to assist the Government Relations Department with local candidate endorsement processes and lobbying. Additionally, IOBA’s may be released from their regular assignments occasionally to participate in the electoral work of the union. IOBA’s also assist with legislative campaigns and days of action.
• Performs other related duties within the union as required.

Qualifications:

• Four-year college degree preferred, legal experience highly desirable and/or extensive union experience (arbitrations, ULPs, negotiations, internal and/or external organizing campaigns).
• A strong commitment to social justice and to the goals and principles of the union.
• Effective verbal, written and listening communications skills.
• Problem solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to work well under tight deadlines and in a team environment.
• Heavy travel, weekend and evening work required and the possession of a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
• Computer skills including Google suite, Word, and Excel.
• Live within, in close proximity to, or willing to relocate to, the counties this position services.

Team Structure:

• IOBAs will work in coordination with Contract Enforcement Business Agents (CEBAs) to ensure that members and stewards’ get support they need for managing grievances. The CEBAs will have primary responsibility for moving grievances but will regularly communicate with the IOBAs about grievances in their shops.
• IOBA’s will be a part of a regional team that includes IOBAs, CEBAs, Lead Bas, and Field Administrative Staff. The regional teams will meet regularly to coordinate.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to travel long distances
• Ability to work long and irregular hours
• Ability to work nights and weekends
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to handle stressful situations
• Ability to speak in front of large groups

To Apply:
Please send a résumé and cover letter to Randall Bacon ( [email protected] ) before 5PM on Friday, January 30, 2026 .

WHEN APPLYING: Be sure to indicate that you saw this information at .