Director, State Advocacy & Outreach

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Director, State Advocacy & Outreach, leads the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) state government affairs program in the assigned states and territories. This position collaborates with volunteer state leaders to enact priority legislation and regulations and ensures that state PA organizations are well-equipped to meet advocacy goals. The Director is responsible for cultivating a close partnership between state organizations and AAPA, serving as the primary point-of-contact, public policy process expert, and advocacy resource. Volunteer management is a critical aspect of the position.

The Director is responsible for closely monitoring legislative and regulatory trends in assigned states and territories and serves as a PA state policy expert, responding to inquiries from members and policy makers. This position assists the Vice President in reporting trends and developing and maintaining key external stakeholder relationships, as well as collaborating with other members of AAPA’s staff to improve advocacy efforts and capacities across all state organizations.

The Director must have well-rounded interpersonal skills, a willingness to collaborate, and experience communicating and interacting with diverse personalities.

Reports to: Vice President, State Advocacy and Outreach

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as the primary staff contact for the state/territory chapters within the region.
• Encourages state chapters to support and adopt AAPA’s key advocacy priorities.
• Analyzes state legislative and regulatory activity in the region and notifies state leaders about legislation or regulations that may affect PA practice.
• Designs, plans, and executes advocacy strategies for constituent organizations, including drafting advocacy plans, legislation, regulations, testimony, and educational materials; coalition strategies; and grassroots strategies.
• Attends stakeholder meetings or hearings as needed, including testifying on behalf of AAPA or serving as a subject matter expert.
• Prepares and provides supporting materials for state advocacy efforts.
• Partners with Communications staff in their efforts to promote the PA profession.
• Initiates and assists in liaison activities with other organizations guided by the AAPA's strategic plan.
• Manages the work of any consultants in the state engaged by AAPA, e.g., contract lobbyists, as necessary.
• Serves as staff lead on specific programs and projects as assigned by the Vice President.
• Makes presentations to AAPA leadership, PA constituent organizations, and other organizations on state government topics.
• Assists Vice President in informing AAPA staff and leadership of state legislative and regulatory issues affecting PA ability to practice.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

ABOUT THE ADVOCACY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TEAM

AAPA’s advocacy and government relations department works to advance the priorities of the organization and promote policies that improve the ability of PAs to practice at the top of their education and experience. The department is divided into three teams; State Advocacy and Outreach (SAO), Federal Advocacy, and Reimbursement and Professional Advocacy which all report to the Senior Vice President, Advocacy and Government Relations. Together, these teams manage external advocacy on behalf of the organization and conduct work that is vital to the profession. The department has nineteen staff members, with a wide scope of expertise but a shared dedication to excellence. Most team members have a background in law, health policy or government service.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY

AAPA is the national organization that advocates for all PAs and provides tools to improve PA practice and patient care. Founded in 1968, AAPA represents a profession of approximately 170,000 PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories and the uniformed services. PAs are integral to modern healthcare and provide a solution to the demand for increased access to cost-effective, evidence-based, patient-centered care. Visit www.aapa.org to learn more.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to inspire, motivate, and involve PA volunteer leaders in state advocacy.
• Strong persuasive and interpersonal skills.
• Lobbying experience required.
• Experience creating grassroots campaigns at the state level.
• High-energy problem solver and a willingness to learn.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in a field related to state advocacy.
• Knowledge of health care issues at the national, state and provider levels.
• Strong ability to understand and support the advocacy goals and priorities of AAPA.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills; ability to manage multiple projects with various timelines and deliverables.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Willing to travel and attend evening and weekend meetings.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

The American Academy of PAs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability and any other classification protected by law.

IMPACT OF COVID-19 and REMOTE WORK OPTIONS

Due to considerations regarding COVID-19, AAPA has been operating remotely since March 2020 and now offers both hybrid and fully remote work arrangements to staff. Applicants to both hybrid and fully-remote positions should be willing to work standard AAPA business hours (EST) and occasionally travel on-site and to annual conference.

AAPA requires proof of COVID vaccination (initial series) for all staff or submission of an accommodation request form for those who wish to request exemption. Requests for exemptions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.