Want to make a difference for educators and students?
The SCEA staff are committed to advancing the cause of public education. Join our dynamic team committed to safeguarding and improving South Carolina's public education system through innovative initiatives and collaborative efforts. Together, we strive to create a positive impact on the education profession, ensuring a brighter future for students and educators across South Carolina.
Position: Member Advocacy Specialist
Location: The SCEA Headquarters – West Columbia, SC
Status: Exempt – Professional
Reports To: Executive Director, The SCEA
About The SCEA:
The South Carolina Education Association (The SCEA) is a non-profit, professional organization dedicated to promoting, advocating for, and supporting public schools and educators in South Carolina. We are committed to ensuring quality education for all students and providing robust support to our members.
At The SCEA, you will be part of an organization that values education and advocacy. We offer a supportive work environment where you can grow professionally and contribute to the advancement of our educational mission. Our team is passionate about making a difference in the lives of educators and students across South Carolina.
Job Overview: We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Member Advocacy Specialist to join our dynamic team and operate The SCEA Helpdesk. This position involves comprehensive member advocacy support, including handling advocacy calls, emails, and online requests. The position also includes managing advocacy cases, monitoring education-related laws, regulations, and policies. In addition, the successful candidate will be collaborating with staff and legal resources, which will lead to resolution of member issues.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Experience: Previous experience in a similar role within an educational or legal setting.
Essential Skills:
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Ability to resolve complicated issues.
- Strong attention to detail and proficiency in handling complex information.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Proven skills in building positive relationships and providing constructive feedback.
- Capacity to maintain professionalism and a respectful demeanor, even in challenging situations, with the ability to defuse difficult situations in a tactful and courteous manner.
- Ability to seek accurate answers and creative resolutions for members and to effectively negotiate and apply conflict resolution techniques.
- Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with others on the telephone and in a team environment.
- Flexible work hours to accommodate Association member schedules.
- Demonstrated understanding of and accuracy in English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and proofreading.
- Experience using sound judgment in making decisions and working independently and with minimum supervision on assignments.
- Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite
- Willingness to travel, valid South Carolina Driver’s License (or ability to obtain one).
Desirable Skills:
- Advanced degree in Legal Studies or J.D. Degree with related experience and/or training with courses in public employee and labor law and South Carolina public school law.
- License to practice law in the state of South Carolina.
- Experience with Salesforce, and legal billing software like Passport.
- Experience within the National Education Association, or its state or local affiliates.
- School employee experience
Supervisory: The employee works under the general direction of the Executive Director. The employee is expected to work independently with minimum supervision in handing complex or new problems utilizing initiative, creativity and sound professional judgment.
Salary & Benefits:
Competitive compensation package, aligned with the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Salary Range: $57,556-$80,444
Application Process:
Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and resume detailing relevant experience and qualifications. Please send your application to Tom F. Hudson, Executive Director of The SCEA at [email protected] by Friday, October 11.
