Public Policy Associate

A. General Description:

This position is responsible for providing technical assistance, policy analysis, and other policy development activities related to advancing the health care and education priorities within ASHA's Public Policy Agenda on behalf of the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology.

B. Responsibilities:

1. Collaborates on identifying, developing, executing, and evaluating coordinated advocacy strategies designed to advance ASHA's Public Policy Agenda.
2. Serves as primary point of contact for triaging or answering technical assistance to ASHA's membership, consumers, and other interested parties.
3. Assists in conducting high-quality analyses and developing relevant health care and education policy recommendations with implications for the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology.
4. Assists in preparing analyses, issue briefs, letters, testimony, regulatory comments, model legislative language, and other policy-related resources as needed that are designed to advance the relevant priorities within the Association's Public Policy Agenda.
5. Attends and summarizes meetings related to relevant priorities within ASHA's Public Policy Agenda.
6. Supports Team members with managing board and committee calls and assists in facilitating and coordinating public policy meetings with ASHA members, other ASHA staff, and external stakeholders.
7. Collaborates on strategic communications, messaging, and grassroots materials that are designed to advance ASHA's Public Policy Agenda. Develops articles and other products for online and print communications.
8. Provides policy analysis for additional issues related to the priorities of ASHA's Public Policy Agenda, as identified by the Director of Health Care and Education Policy.

C. Contacts:

To accomplish responsibilities listed above, the incumbent has contact with:

1. Health Care Economics and Advocacy Team members, members of the Government Affairs and Public Policy Cluster, and other National Office staff and teams
2. ASHA members and volunteer leaders
3. Staff from federal agencies and health plan administrators
4. Representatives from other professional and trade associations

D. Freedom to Act:

The Public Policy Associate is a member of the Health Care and Education Policy Team within the Government Affairs and Public Policy Cluster. For the purposes of advancing the priorities within the ASHA's Public Policy Agenda, the Associate has latitude to determine approaches and methodologies that ensure success in carrying out the position's major duties, as well as the programs and procedures of the Cluster and Team. The Associate consults with the Director of Health Care and Education Policy and is guided by ASHA's policies and priorities established by the Board of Directors and Facilitating Team as needed.

E. Qualifications - Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

Knowledge and skills typically acquired through:

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, economics, political science, or a related field.
• 3 years of experience in health care and/or education policy in an association, corporation, or government

Scope and depth of technical skills/knowledge:

• Demonstrated ability in strategic policy analysis and development activities.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality and impactful analyses, issue briefs, letters, testimony, regulatory comments, model legislative language, or related products.
• Working knowledge of health care or education policies that impact ASHA.
• Working knowledge of communications sciences and disorders is desirable.

Scope and depth of nontechnical skills/knowledge:

• Strong collaborative skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, organize, and execute multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and a creative approach to work.

F. National Office EEO Policy:

It is the policy of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to provide equal opportunity to all employees without regard for race, sex, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, veteran's status, age, sexual orientation or LGBT status, genetic information, citizenship, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ASHA's Bylaws. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation and benefits, upward mobility, training and development, access to facilities, termination, and other personnel actions. Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, with a firm commitment from coaches at all levels within the organizational structure of the National Office, affirmative action will be taken to ensure the full utilization of members of racial/ethnic minority groups, women, persons with disabilities, and Vietnam and disabled veterans within our workforce.

G. Disclaimer:

"This description is intended to provide an overview of the responsibilities and duties of the position. It is not all inclusive. The incumbent in the position will be expected to perform other duties as required. The responsibilities may change over time. This description is provided for informational purposes only and does not form the basis of a contract."