Job Opening – Good Jobs First – Project Coordinator
Good Jobs First (www.goodjobsfirst.org), a Washington DC-based non-profit organization, now seeks a Project Coordinator responsible for exposing how much revenue government bodies are losing to corporate tax breaks – and the price communities pay for those decisions.
The project, Defending the Public Good against Corporate Tax Breaks, stems from a 2017 change in government-accounting reports. For the first time ever, most local and state governments — including school districts — must now report each year how much revenue they lose to corporate tax breaks granted in the name of economic development.
The data reveals that in some communities, schools in poor areas lose the most revenue to economic development subsidies, and those student populations are often Black and brown. In other places, analyses have found growth being subsidized in affluent areas, meaning limited public dollars are being wasted to fuel development that would have taken place even without the subsidies.
The enterprising Project Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring our database, Tax Break Tracker, provides relevant information for our large, diverse audience of activists, journalists, academics and public officials. They will, with Good Jobs First’s executive director, help allies advocate for better compliance by reporting governments, and encourage/facilitate the data’s use in research and advocacy.
Already, the new data has enabled studies such as Abating Our Future, which we may seek to replicate. We have created 51 state “road maps” to explain the many variations in how the rules are applied – the new position will keep these current.
The Project Coordinator will also work closely with other GJF research analysts, especially through the use of Subsidy Tracker, Good Jobs First’s database that tracks which companies have received economic development subsidies.
This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working in a collaborative environment, gets excited by campaign building and is committed to ensuring all children have access to excellent public education.
Applicants must have:
- at least three years’ experience in related work, such as tax and budget analysis and/or advocacy, or economic development subsidy accountability
- the ability to turn data into meaningful stories that drive change
- familiarity with government finance practices and/or tax policy
- Knowledge of public revenue issues and public service constituencies
- ability and willingness to actively reach out to affected parties and officials who oversee compliance with the accounting rule
- ability to analyze and write/speak clearly about state statutes and/or administrative codes pertaining to government financial reporting
- proven skills in teamwork and the ability to assist diverse constituents (community, labor, tax and budget, elected and appointed officials, journalists, etc.)
- a demonstrated commitment to social, racial and economic justice
Other desirable qualifications:
- ability to use ArcGIS mapping software
- activist communications experience, including outreach to allied groups, news media, social media, and web-integrated strategies
This is an opportunity for rewarding work on a historic reform at a highly productive and collaborative resource center.
Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes healthcare, retirement contribution, and generous vacation. Starting salary range is between $58,000 and $68,000. Women and people of color are encouraged to apply.
Please email résumés to Greg LeRoy at [email protected] with the phrase “Project Coordinator Application” as the subject line. No phone calls, please.