AFT Kansas

Regional Organizer

Based out of the Topeka office
for covering the Topeka / Manhattan / Lawrence, KS region

 

AFT-Kansas is seeking a full-time Regional Organizer to support local unions and members across the Topeka, Manhattan, and Lawrence region.

AFT-Kansas is a statewide labor federation representing educators, higher education workers, healthcare workers, public employees, and local unions across Kansas. We are working to strengthen member voice, build local power, support bargaining and contract enforcement, and help workers organize around the issues that affect their workplaces and communities.

This position will focus on organizing, member engagement, leadership development, workplace issue tracking, grievance intake support, and local union support. The organizer will work with AFT-Kansas leadership, staff, and local union leaders to help locals become more active, more organized, and more effective.

Primary Responsibilities 
The Regional Organizer will: 

• Build relationships with members and potential members across assigned locals and worksites. 
• Conduct worksite visits, one-on-one conversations, membership conversations, and issue-based organizing. 
• Help identify, recruit, and develop member leaders. 
• Support locals with workplace issue tracking, grievance intake, documentation, and follow-up. 
• Assist with preparation for bargaining, meet-and-confer, labor-management meetings, and member communications. 
• Help locals build internal communication systems, including member lists, worksite contacts, and action teams. 
• Support organizing campaigns connected to compensation, working conditions, staffing, safety, respect, and public services. 
• Help coordinate meetings, trainings, surveys, petitions, and member actions. 
• Work with local leaders to develop realistic plans for growth, engagement, and member participation. 
• Track assignments, contacts, follow-up items, and outcomes in a consistent reporting system. 
• Support AFT-Kansas statewide priorities, including organizing, political education, communications, and member mobilization as assigned.

Regional Focus 
This position will primarily support locals and organizing work in the Topeka / Manhattan / Lawrence region, which may include: 

• City of Topeka workers 
• K-State / Manhattan-area public employees and campus workers 
• KU / Lawrence-area higher education workers 
• Three Lakes Special Education Cooperative 
• Other assigned AFT-Kansas locals, organizing projects, or regional campaigns

Assignments may shift based on organizational needs.

Qualifications 
Strong candidates will have: 

• A commitment to labor unions, public services, public education, healthcare workers, and working people. 
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills. 
• Ability to have effective one-on-one conversations with workers. 
• Ability to listen carefully, identify issues, and help turn workplace concerns into organized action. 
• Strong follow-through and attention to detail. 
• Ability to work with local leaders, members, staff, and community allies. 
• Ability to manage multiple assignments across different locals and worksites. 
• Comfort with basic technology, databases, spreadsheets, email, and communication tools. 
• Willingness to travel within Kansas, including regular regional worksite visits. 
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends as needed.

Experience in union organizing, workplace advocacy, issue campaigns, public education, higher education, healthcare, public employment, political campaigns, or community organizing is preferred but not required.

Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time, benefited position.

Expected salary range: $46,000 – $50,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits may include health insurance, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid leave, and other benefits consistent with AFT-Kansas policy.

Location and Travel 
This position will be based out of the Topeka office, with regular travel across the assigned region and occasional statewide travel.

To Apply 
Applicants should submit: 

• Résumé
• Cover letter or short statement of interest 
• Three professional references 

Application materials should be sent to: mharris@aftks.org.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

AFT-Kansas is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and connections to the labor movement.