Director of State Education Affairs

I. Purpose 

The Director, State Education Affairs advances ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda by identifying, developing, executing, and evaluating state and local advocacy strategies focused on education-related policy priorities affecting audiologists, speech-language pathologists, students, and the individuals they serve. The role provides strategic guidance, technical assistance, and advocacy support to state associations, ASHA members, state education leaders, regulatory entities, and other stakeholders on education issues including caseload/workload, salary supplements, education-focused advocacy member groups, special education/IEP policy, school choice, and teacher/educator licensing requirements.

II. Key Responsibilities 

1. Monitor and analyze state-level legislative, regulatory, and policy developments affecting education priorities within ASHA’s Public Policy Agenda, and provide strategic recommendations to ASHA staff, state association leadership, and relevant stakeholders.
2. Develop and execute state and local advocacy strategies that advance education policies that benefit audiologists and speech-language pathologists, including coordinated advocacy campaigns and mobilization of internal and external resources.
3. Prepare and facilitate policy-related resources, including analyses, issue briefs, letters, testimony, model legislative language, regulatory comments, and related advocacy tools for education-focused state policy issues.
4. Provide expert consultation, technical assistance, and strategic advocacy guidance to ASHA members, state associations, regulatory agencies, state elected and appointed officials, government agencies, and other key stakeholders.
5. Lead, train, and support education-focused advocacy member groups and volunteer. 
6. Coordinate resources and activities that strengthen state association capacity on school-based and education policy issues.
7. Maintain and contribute to education-related state affairs resources, web content, trackers, and member-facing tools as directed, ensuring information supports state association advocacy and member needs.
8. Collaborate within the GAPP cluster, other ASHA teams, volunteers, coalitions, and external partners to identify trends, coordinate responses, and align education advocacy with ASHA policies, priorities, and the Public Policy Agenda.

III. Position within ASHA 

IV. Autonomy & Decision Making: 

The Director, State Education Affairs has latitude to determine approaches and methodologies that support successful execution of major responsibilities in conjunction with the Senior Director, State Affairs and consistent with the programs and procedures of the GAPP Cluster, the State Affairs Team, and other ASHA units. The Director is guided by ASHA’s policies and priorities established by the Board of Directors and Facilitating Team.

V. Qualifications & Skills

Qualifications: 

Knowledge typically acquired through:

• At least 5 years of experience in state advocacy, education policy, health care policy, public policy, or association advocacy; nonprofit association experience preferred.
• Advanced degree in political science, government, public policy, education policy, communication sciences and disorders, or a related field.
• Experience working with state-based associations, education-focused advocacy member groups, state agencies, state elected or appointed officials, and/or regulatory entities.
• Knowledge of state legislative and regulatory processes and the ability to translate policy developments into actionable advocacy strategies.
• Working knowledge of education policy issues affecting audiologists, speech-language pathologists, school-based services, and individuals with communication disorders.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality analyses, issue briefs, letters, testimony, regulatory comments, model legislative language, and related policy resources.
• Strong collaborative and facilitative leadership skills, including the ability to train, convene, and support advocacy leaders and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills for internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, organize, and execute multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Sound judgment, problem-solving ability, and a creative approach to advocacy strategy and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to build consensus when opposing viewpoints are presented and to function effectively at all levels of staff, independently and within a team environment.

VI. Universal Expectations of ASHA Staff

At ASHA, we believe in working together to make well-informed decisions that will advance the association and the discipline of human communication sciences and disorders; teamwork is vital to achieving our mission, vision, and maximizing impact. As committed stewards of the organization, we care deeply about our professions, members, and staff, and build a strong and welcoming community. We strive to ensure that everyone's voice is heard and valued. We are dedicated to helping each other grow and innovate by encouraging open communication and continual learning. Our focus is on delivering excellent service and value to members, advancing equity, and promoting the power of science and research.  The enduring strength of our work is rooted in community, integrity, and the inclusion of differing perspectives, while collaboratively seeking better solutions.

VII. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

ASHA is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is ASHA’s policy to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard for race, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, religion, marital status, disability, veteran 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. 

VIII. Disclaimer

This job description reflects the primary responsibilities of the job but is not a detailed description of all duties which may be required of someone in the position. All ASHA staff are expected to take on additional responsibilities from time to time and to help their colleagues.