The American Counseling Association (ACA) is the world’s largest organization representing professional counselors in various practice settings. 

Our vision: We are the preeminent advocate and resource for professional counselors and their clients in a world where everyone has access to mental health services.

Our mission: Advancing mental health and well-being through advocacy, community, inclusion and research.

Our values: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Integrity, Proactive Leadership, Professional Community & Relationships, Scientific Practice & Knowledge, Social Justice & Empowerment.

The Chief Government Affairs Officer provides vision and leadership in engaging, serving, and advocating for counseling profession by giving voice and representation to counselors, the profession, and consumers. 

The Chief Government Affairs Officer is a member of the executive team. This team serves in the dual role of leading their own functional area and operating as a senior group of professionals who work together, are valued for their expertise, and have responsibility for achieving the high-level goals of the Association.

The Chief Government Affairs Officer oversees and advances all ACA public policy and advocacy efforts in alignment with the ACA Strategic Plan. The Chief Government Affairs Officer identifies priorities to strategically increase government awareness and support of the counseling community. The Chief Government Affairs Officer builds relationships with targeted groups that will support the counseling community, such as with U.S. Federal agencies, U.S. Congressional offices, state legislative and regulatory offices, licensure boards, various coalitions, and ACA volunteer committees. In addition, the Chief Government Affairs Officer will develop and strengthen relationships with political press, and members to successfully achieve the Association’s public policy and advocacy goals. 

The Chief Government Affairs Officer will develop and execute on a comprehensive strategy that results in support of the counseling profession in the public policy arena. This position will be responsible for educating and communicating with association members regarding public policy and advocacy topics and oversee relevant events at the national and state level. The Chief will have oversight of the grassroots advocacy platform and strategic measures. 

In addition to the below list of responsibilities, the Chief Government Affairs Officer will carry out assigned tasks that are consistent with the general responsibilities of this position.

• Oversee the government affairs team including management of all team members and the department’s budget. 
• Develop and implement a comprehensive government affairs strategy in support of ACA’s public policy priorities. 
• Establish a positive credible and influential presence for ACA within the public policy community, state legislatures, Congress, and federal agencies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with government officials, key legislative offices, and relevant agencies to drive policy efforts.
• Manage and direct the work of consultants and other external vendors who support the government affairs team, including contract lobbyists. 
• Oversee the analysis of key legislative and regulatory issues impacting the organization and focus on those issues that advance the counseling profession. 
• Drive legislative initiatives of the association and provide advice and counsel to all levels of management.
• Direct preparation of policy briefings, hearing testimony, talking points, memoranda for association leadership and membership.
• Work with other ACA departments to drive strategic public policy initiatives that meet the needs of the membership.
• Oversee the monitoring and tracking of proposed federal legislation; leading the analysis of proposed legislative/policy actions, determining their potential impact on ACA, and proposing appropriate responses.
• Anticipate changes in the external legislative, regulatory, policy, and political environments.
• Actively seek out opportunities to grow ACA’s influence on the policymaking process. 
• Develop and implement initiatives and project plans that increase effective engagement and expand advocacy efforts to advance understanding and support (i.e. funding, etc.) of the positive impact of counselors and the counseling profession.
• Actively participate in Coalition meetings and maintain strong contacts with government relation’s representatives and other groups on similar issues. 
• Ensure ACA representation in relevant coalitions, association, and stakeholder meetings.
• Oversee the research and drafting of legislative alerts, updates, analyses, position papers, articles for publication, testimony, amicus briefs and training materials. 
• Oversee the management and development of all written and online government relations materials to educate ACA volunteers about government relations activities. Promote ACA government relations’ successes or opportunities, i.e. distribution channels such as social media or news releases.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy or related field. 
• At least 10 years of professional work experience in a government relations or government role (Congressional or Federal agency) or nonprofit organization/society.
• Experience working with a volunteer, governance driven organization (i.e. professional & individual membership).
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the legislative process and programs, as well as, with rules and regulations.
• Excellent relationship-building, problem solving and negotiation skills and the ability to interpret policy analysis and research.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills along with the ability to communicate with members at all levels and a variety of audiences.
• Strong understanding of both state and federal government.
• Excellent judgment and relationship building skills when creating and nurturing important relationships on Capitol Hill and federal agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to work under tight deadlines while producing a high quality of work.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to operate diplomatically, effectively and collegially with volunteers, colleagues, partner societies, and global federal staff/US Congressional offices.
• Exemplary oral and written communications skills with effective creations of presentations and the skills to convey key messages/directives/accomplishments.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at one time in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated excellent planning and project management skills, with attention to prioritization, execution, deadlines and efficiency.
• Ability to develop and effectively manage budgets, billing and the related accounting systems.
• Ability to effectively negotiate and manage contracts.
• Ability to travel.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer:
At ACA, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law.