Chief Government Affairs Officer

Job Description

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

Chief Government Affairs Officer

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

This position is a member of the executive team, which serves the dual role of leading their functional area and operating as a senior group of professionals who work together, contribute their expertise, and share 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. This role identifies priorities to strategically increase government awareness and support of the counseling community. The officer builds relationships with targeted groups that support the counseling profession, including:

• U.S. Federal agencies
• U.S. Congressional offices
• State legislative and regulatory offices
• Licensure boards
• Various coalitions
• ACA volunteer committees

Additionally, 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.

This role is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive strategy to support the counseling profession in the public policy arena. The position includes educating and communicating with association members on public policy and advocacy topics and overseeing relevant events at the national and state levels. The officer will also oversee the grassroots advocacy platform and strategic measures.

Key Responsibilities

• 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 external vendors supporting the government affairs team, including contract lobbyists.
• Oversee analysis of key legislative and regulatory issues impacting the organization, focusing on advancing 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, and 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 monitoring and tracking of proposed federal legislation, leading analysis of legislative/policy actions, determining their potential impact on ACA, and proposing appropriate responses.
• Anticipate changes in legislative, regulatory, policy, and political environments.
• Seek opportunities to grow ACA’s influence in the policymaking process.
• Develop and implement initiatives that expand advocacy efforts and increase support for the counseling profession.
• Participate in coalition meetings and maintain strong relationships with government relations representatives and other groups working on similar issues.
• Ensure ACA representation in relevant coalitions, associations, and stakeholder meetings.
• Oversee research and drafting of legislative alerts, updates, analyses, position papers, articles, testimony, amicus briefs, and training materials.
• Manage and develop all written and online government relations materials to educate ACA volunteers on government relations activities.
• Promote ACA government relations’ successes and opportunities through distribution channels such as social media and news releases.

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