Policy & Advocacy Specialist

The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) is a 501(c)(3) statewide advocacy organization dedicated to leading efforts to raise expectations and expand opportunities for those with autism across the lifespan.

AAoM’s Education team drives initiatives that address root causes of systemic barriers to access, opportunity, and outcomes in education while supporting the growing acceptance that leads toward the preparation of a safe, successful, and inclusive life. AAoM Education initiatives are focused on systems level change through collective impact that amplifies the voice of lived experience. While AAoM is an “autism-led” organization, our work in the Michigan education space is disability-wide and system-wide.

AAoM is advancing an equitable education agenda for children and youth with special education needs by centering a Whole Child vision for Michigan. The AAoM Education team serves as a resource hub for families, partner organizations, and state leaders in cultivating understanding of core barriers related to equity and access in the education system. AAoM catalyzes stakeholders to drive transparency and accountability efforts toward system-level transformation in key areas of focus aligned to the Progressive Outcomes Scale Logic Model:

● Building Community Engagement & Advocacy

● Transforming Learning Environments

● Investing Resources Equitably & Effectively

● Redefining Accountability Systems

PURPOSE OF JOB:

The Policy & Advocacy Specialist position is to design and manage advocacy and public policy campaigns, including projects, programs, and activities that align and support AAoM’s strategic goals aligned with our Education initiatives. The role will include building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders across Michigan as well as nationally, with a strong emphasis on working with policymakers, legislative staff, and government officials. Prior experience in a legislative office or as a legislative staffer is strongly preferred.

This position will also provide insight into the impact of trends and initiatives that affect the education ecosystem which are aligned with AAoM’s collective impact and systems change goals by staying connected to community and statewide stakeholders across Michigan.

Please refer to https://autismallianceofmichigan.org/education-initiatives/ for an example overview of AAoM Education strategic areas of focus and initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Education Systems Change: Implementation & Execution (20%)

● Collaborate with the Director of Statewide Education to prioritize and implement strategic initiatives to remove barriers in education, ensuring all students with disabilities can access inclusive, equitable learning environments.

○ Related activities include: statewide coalition-building and community organizing; special education finance reform, special education experience survey, public awareness campaign, and related advocacy agenda; state complaint accountability project; trauma-informed systems change programming/training.

● Develop, analyze, and recommend legislative and administrative policy activities related to constituent issues aligned to AAoM Education pillar strategic framework

● Assist in developing comprehensive work plans and plans of action for the AAoM Education team and initiatives consistent with the strategic framework

○ Includes needs-assessments and strategic planning with ongoing program evaluation activities.

○ Follow the impact of trends and initiatives that connect to the AAoM Education pillar.

● Spearhead government affairs activities, including leveraging relevant experience to anticipate, track, analyze, and influence policy advocacy priorities, budget processes, and committee dynamics relevant to education and disability policy.

● Monitor and influence legislative and administrative policy developments, preparing materials for advocacy campaigns and participating in policy discussions at the state and national levels.

Advocacy & Campaign Development (20%)

● Lead advocacy efforts for systemic reform to improve educational opportunities and outcomes across Michigan by collaborating with key stakeholders, including core constituents, policymakers, education system stakeholders, advocacy groups, and statewide coalition partners.

● Build and execute campaigns to drive education and advocacy initiatives statewide.

● Manage the development and execution of policy positions and letters of support (or opposition) to critical legislation and administrative policy.

● Draft policy language, talking points, committee testimony, and memos for advocacy efforts.

● Promote AAoM initiatives, including policy advocacy, program awareness, and expansion through activities and communications, including the development and dissemination of marketing materials and presentations.

● Further knowledge-building on core issues, priority alignment among constituents, and shared messaging through community engagement and base-building activities (e.g., advocacy statements, blogs, storytelling, etc.)

● Manages the creation, design, and coordination of production and distribution of issue-specific curricula, promotional, and informational materials (e.g., press releases, public relations activities, Education pillar statements, brochures, training modules, etc.).

Coalition Building & Stakeholder Engagement (20%)

● Manage AAoM’s role as a backbone organization for statewide coalition collective impact activities on both a grasstops (e.g., Special Education Forum) and grassroots level (e.g., MiPAAC), this includes ongoing membership recruitment and management as well as coordinating and facilitating coalition meetings and communicate effectively with members to promote engagement, collaboration, and problem-solving toward shared advocacy aims.

● Build networks in key decision-making forums with advocacy targets and collaborators by identifying agencies, organizations, and individuals to connect with AAoM Education efforts and garner support for our mission.

● Collaborate with team members to collect and analyze data that includes describing coalition efforts, strategic initiatives, and outreach.

● Develop relationships with collaborative partners in diverse communities resulting in shared advocacy efforts and/or engaging participants for training and programs - activities may include phone, email, website, social media, and travel across the state/priority regions.

● Participate in partner coalition activities where aligned with AAoM strategic initiatives.

● Maintain active relationships with legislative offices and agency staff, ensuring AAoM is positioned as a trusted source of expertise and policy recommendations.

Policy Analysis, Research, & Evaluation (15%)

● Execute research projects pertaining to core constituents and key audiences that include needs, barriers, policy recommendations, etc.

● Analyze and recommend policy activities related to constituent issues aligned with AAoM Education pillar strategic framework.

● Continually broaden expertise in the area of education systems and disability justice while serving as a resource.

Communications & Public Relations (10%)

● Speak and write fluently for a variety of audiences about the experiences of students with disabilities and the barriers faced in accessing high-quality, inclusive education in the PreK-20+ system as well as the necessary changes to improve outcomes. Demonstrated ability to incorporate an intersectional understanding of how income, race, language, geography, and other factors shape diverse employee experiences.

● Create program awareness and expansion through internal and external promotions and communications.

● Write and distribute reports, articles, blogs, and briefs on issues related to education.

● Manage the creation, design, and coordination of promotional, informational, and educational materials (e.g., press releases, public relations activities, brochures, training modules, etc.).

● Support grant-related activities for AAoM Education pillar strategic initiatives including contributing to drafting proposals, program evaluation, and grant reporting.

Program Management & Support (10%)

● Plan, develop, organize, implement, manage, and evaluate special projects and programs related to system change efforts and related social service needs.

● Oversee AAoM Education pillar intern program and activities, providing ongoing support and supervision.

● Plan and coordinate meetings with staff and community partners as directed.

● Organize and/or attend community-related meetings/activities when deemed necessary.

● Assist in developing content for coalition websites and social media.

Professional Development & Organizational Support (5%)

● Participate in training programs as a moderator/host or presenter on assigned topics.

● Attend in-service training and meetings as required by the Autism Alliance of Michigan; may serve on various committees, as needed.

● Continually broaden expertise in the area of education systems and disability justice while serving as a resource.

● Refer families and stakeholders to appropriate AAoM staff and programs with a particular aim toward MiNavigator and AAoM-led coalitions.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Other duties and special projects as assigned (e.g., staff support for board committee meetings, as needed; specific project roles, etc.)

JOB QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION / TRAINING:

● Master’s Degree in Public Policy, Education, Social Work, or a related field.

● Minimum 5–7 years of experience in related areas within system-level advocacy, including experience in a legislative/government office alongside policy analysis, public affairs, research, and—preferably with a focus on special education or disability services.

Additionally, ideal candidates would have:

● Deep commitment to disability justice, equity, and to improving the lives of autistic individuals through all levels of advocacy (individual, community, systems/policy)

● Strong knowledge of the Michigan education system, particularly special education laws and practices.

● Demonstrated knowledge of civil rights law related to disability (e.g., IDEA, Section 504, ADA)

● Demonstrated knowledge of the legislative process (including budget cycles) at both state and federal levels, preferably gained through direct experience as a legislative staffer or within a legislative office.

● Demonstrated knowledge of autism (and related developmental disabilities) in family, school, and professional settings

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex issues to broad audiences through writing, speaking, facilitating, and presenting.

● Effectively engage with diverse audiences, including policymakers, educators, parents, and students.

● Ability to connect lived experiences to policy/systems issues that enhance civil rights

● Ability to advocate for complex policy & advocacy positions before a wide variety of audiences, persuasively and diplomatically

● Strong project management and organizational skills

● Ability to manage multiple projects and work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders.

● Skills in data analytics.

● Skills in developing trusted relationships with core constituents, partner organizations, and coalitions

● Skills in organizing, coalition-building (grasstops / grassroots), and advocacy

● Self-motivation and demonstrated ability to work both independently as well as collaboratively with diverse colleagues

CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES: No specific certification or license is required for this position.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

TRAVEL REQUIRED: up to 35% travel within the state of Michigan, Reliable transportation is required.

WORK HOURS: 40 hours per week; Availability during business hours of 8 am to 5 pm is required. Hybrid position, but presence in office on assigned office days is required for the duration of the full work day

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

- Ability to lift up to 20 pounds, up to 10 times per day

- Ability to sit for long periods of time, in front of a computer

- Alternate sitting and standing, including walking short distances

Job Type: Full-time, grant-funded

Compensation: $59,000.00 - $72,000.00 per year plus benefits

Offers will be commensurate with skills, experience, and internal equity and rarely fall at the top of this range.

Benefits:

● Dental insurance

● Flexible spending account

● Health insurance

● Life insurance

● Paid time off

● Retirement plan

● Vision insurance

Pay: $59,000.00 - $72,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person