Organizer Position With Kentuckians For The Commonwealth
Job Title: Tax Organizer
Reports to: A Deputy Organizing Director
Location: Any location in Kentucky is possible, and applicants in Floyd, Letcher, Warren,
and Barren Counties are encouraged to apply.
I.
KFTC
Kentuckians For The Commonwealth is a grassroots organization with 9,000 members
across the state. Together, we organize for a fair economy, a healthy environment, new
safe energy and an honest democracy. We have 13 local chapters across the state and
at-large members in many other Kentucky counties.
We believe in the power of community organizing – people working together to achieve
common goals. Organizing empowers us to help shape decisions affecting our lives and
the larger community. It's a long-term approach that focuses on building and exercising
power, especially among people affected by injustice, to improve the quality of life for
all.
KFTC members use a range of strategies to achieve our organizing goals, including
strategic communications, voter empowerment, non-violent direct action (ranging from
letter writing to lobbying to protests and demonstrations), chapter building, grassroots
fundraising, alliance building and litigation.
KFTC is led by a Steering Committee, a board composed of one elected representative
from each of our thirteen chapters plus five officers who are elected by the full
membership. Our Steering Committee is responsible for setting and evaluating
organizational policies, goals and strategic direction. KFTC also has a number of
statewide issue committees and governance committees that develop and evaluate
strategies and make recommendations to the Steering Committee.
Local chapters are the building blocks of KFTC’s power – the primary place where
members join, get involved in improving their communities and build New Power.
Organizers also work with members in non-chapter areas, expanding and deepening
KFTC’s presence in these at-large areas.
KFTC’s staff of 22 people works with members, chapters and committees to implement
organizational goals and priorities. The organizing team currently has 12 employees—a
team director, 3 deputy directors, and 8 organizers. KFTC organizers collaborate on
many organizational goals and projects, and they also work very independently to
accomplish specific goals within KFTC’s overall program of work.
III.
POSITION
Kentucky’s economy is transitioning, and KFTC members are working on a transition to
an economy that better reflects our values. A fair and just tax structure is a key
component of creating new economic power in Kentucky.
KFTC and allies have steadily built support for comprehensive tax and revenue reforms.
We’ve made some gains and have defended Kentucky from several harmful policies.
We now have an opportunity to elevate our work to pass meaningful reforms.
This position is for a Tax Justice Organizer to work closely with other staff and allies to
build new economic power in Kentucky, initially and primarily as part of a three-year
project with the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy (KCEP). This organizer will be
responsible for the following objectives and activities:
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II.
Develop a broad, diverse base of skilled, active and politically conscious leaders
and spokespeople.
Conduct trainings and workshops for chapters and members and allies, and to
support outreach efforts.
Support communication and ally work.
Use voter empowerment strategies to build grassroots power & advance this
campaign.
Contribute to effective, successful local and statewide issue committees and
campaigns.
Conduct and inspire effective, consistent grassroots fundraising.
Contribute to the development and success of staff teams.
Other duties as assigned (including efficiently fulfilling administrative tasks)
TAX PROJECT COLLABORATION
This position will focus on collaboration with KCEP to pass meaningful tax and revenue
reforms over the next three years using these strategies:
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Expanding the base of leaders who speak out about building Kentucky’s new
economy by aligning state policies with our shared values, particularly in the
state’s rural areas;
Communicating the stories of how individuals and communities are impacted by
Kentucky’s present economy, and the potential impacts of economic policies and
taxes that better reflect our values and priorities.
Collaborating with allies, growing and deepening the networks engaged in
comprehensive tax reform;
Deepening Kentuckians’ understanding of the impacts of our state budget and
the potential of meaningful reforms.
KFTC will support this project by recruiting and developing grassroots members and
leaders, helping folks tell their own stories in a variety of places, developing and
implementing voter outreach strategies, mobilizing members to lobby and speak out,
and will collaborate closely with the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy and other
allies.
IV.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
We welcome applications from anywhere in the state. The position will support
outreach and engagement in rural Kentucky, and areas near our chapters in Southern
Kentucky and East Kentucky have our particular interest. Other locations are possible, so
if you’re interested, apply.
Professional Qualifications and Experiences
 Direct, paid community organizing experience and/or experience as a volunteer
member or leader in a member-led grassroots organizing group
 Demonstrated problem-solving abilities and abilities to think and work
strategically
 Ability to create the conditions that allow others to take ownership and become
leaders
 Evidence of a commitment to diversity and an understanding of how to work
effectively in and with diverse communities, especially low-income communities
and communities of color
 Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of KFTC
 Excellent communication skills, including listening, asking challenging questions,
and writing
 Demonstrated ability to deal with multiple goals and responsibilities, to prioritize
work effectively, and to build and carry out workplans
 Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and independent, and to work
effectively in teams
 Knowledge of Kentucky politics, issues, regions and organizations
 Demonstrated knowledge about economic policy, Kentucky’s economic
landscape, and tax fairness principles are desirable.
 Must be able to travel in the state and accommodate a work schedule that will
include evening and weekend commitments.
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Personal Attributes
Self-directed, confident, capable
Empathetic and compassionate
Excellent communicator, especially listening and facilitation skills
Organized; Strategic
Committed to high standards of quality
Ability to cope with changing and uncertain circumstances
Ability to build trusting, productive work relationships with wide range of people
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Collaborative, patient, hopeful
COMPENSATION
KFTC’s starting salary is based on experience, with a base of $32,990. We provide annual
cost of living adjustments and annual salary bumps to credit experience. In addition,
KFTC offers full family health insurance for all employees that includes dental coverage.
Time off includes fifteen vacation days per year, ten holidays, nine sick days and three
personal days. We have a compensation time policy and a one-month
maternity/paternity/family leave policy. KFTC provides sabbaticals after five years, and
we offer a pension plan and begin making contributions after three years.
VI.
TO APPLY
Please send a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three references.
Please include “Tax Organizer” in the subject line when you submit your materials
electronically. Materials should be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to
KFTC, PO. Box 1450, London, KY, 40743. KFTC is an equal opportunity employer. Women
and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.