Program Associate - Tobacco Prevention (HCCA)

Position Type: Full Time

Level: Entry-level

Location: Hallowell, ME (Hybrid)

MCD Global Health & Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (HCCA)

MCD Global Health is a nonprofit global health organization recognized in the United States and around the world as a leader, innovator, and trusted partner.

Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (HCCA) is a public health non-profit organization located in Gardiner, ME. HCCA serves Kennebec County, the Central Public Health District, and other statewide and regional efforts related to public health primary prevention, with particular focus on tobacco use prevention and control, substance misuse prevention, healthy eating and active living. HCCA is home to Gardiner Area Thrives Drug Free Communities Coalition, Maine Farm & Sea to School Network, and Maine Farm to Institution.

HCCA partners with MCD Global Health, Inc. (MCD) to provide recruitment and human resources services, and serve as HCCA’s employer of record. This hybrid remote position is based at HCCA’s offices in Hallowell, ME.

This position qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

HCCA’s mission is to convene and support people, organizations, and communities to collaborate on quality of life and public health issues.

We are looking to bring on a Program Associate – Tobacco Prevention, who is a member of the HCCA team and works with other HCCA staff and community partners to implement Maine Prevention Network grant-specific program objectives throughout Kennebec County, Maine. Objectives include community education, working with community partners to advance policy and systems change, and community-level environmental enhancements for the prevention of tobacco-related diseases.

The Program Associate – Tobacco Prevention reports directly to the Associate Program Manager with oversight from the Executive Director.

List of Job Duties

The Program Associate – Tobacco Prevention will:

• Implement evidence-based prevention strategies in the Maine Prevention Network Central District Tobacco Work Plan throughout Kennebec County in collaboration with HCCA staff and Somerset County partners.

• Work closely with local, county, public health district, and state partners; and other stakeholders to collaborate and coordinate assessments and implement interventions through recruitment of individuals representing various sectors (law enforcement, business leaders, individuals with lived experience, etc.) using various methods (phone, email, in-person, etc.).

• Provide in-person presentations and webinars to relevant partners and stakeholders (e.g., secondary education institutes, schools, multi-unit housing, public places, municipalities, etc.) on preventing secondhand and thirdhand smoke exposure and strategies to reduce or eliminate exposure.

• Utilize written and electronic media for a variety of community awareness strategies, including promoting mass media campaigns issued by the state, such as the Maine Quitlink and My Life, My Quit.

• Provide technical assistance to community partners to develop model tobacco use prevention policies that support smoke- and vape-free environments, and that align with state tobacco- and smoke-free laws.

• Provide presentations and training (in person and virtually) to relevant partners and stakeholders on evidence-based best practice strategies for tobacco treatment to increase knowledge of and access to the Maine Quitlink, My Life, My Quit, and other available tobacco treatment options and strategies.

• Co-facilitate the Kennebec County Youth Advisory Board using strategies to engage them in problem-solving, leadership skill development, and decision-making.

• Serve as a spokesperson for tobacco use and exposure prevention, and HCCA by providing education through webinars and in-person presentations to various sectors (e.g., community members, law enforcement, healthcare, municipal leaders, legislators, individuals with lived experience, etc.) on tobacco-related public health issues and the evidence-based best practice strategies to address these issues.

• Attend required meetings and training sessions.

• Participate in appropriate professional development opportunities.

• Track workplan activities and assure required data is collected and entered in online and other required reporting systems in a timely manner.

• Assist with grant reporting requirements in order for reports to be accurate and submitted on-time.

• Work closely with HCCA Associate Program Manager and Finance Manager to assure project activity meets budgetary expectations.

• Promote positive relationships between and among HCCA and all potential collaborating partners by meeting with various stakeholders (schools, youth-serving organizations, healthcare facilities, multi-unit housing, workplaces, behavioral health facilities, etc.) and offering support to develop comprehensive tobacco policies, and finding opportunities to network and establish new relationships with potential partners to expand or enhance HCCA’s tobacco prevention program.

• Be a member of HCCA’s team of public health professionals working collaboratively to implement primary prevention programming and supporting the organization’s broad public health goals.

Qualifications & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in health-related field is preferred, however, equivalent related work experience may be considered. Experience working in a non-profit setting and with grant-funded projects is a plus. Additional desired skills include:

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse project partners, consumers, community partners, and providers of health and behavioral health care

• Comfort and ability to present to and facilitate diverse audiences, including youth

• Ability to work independently

• Ability to meet deadlines

• Ability to communicate professionally both verbally and in writing

• Knowledge and skill in the management of data-driven projects

• Ability to monitor and provide oversight of external local partners' progress towards deliverables

• Ability to plan, coordinate, implement, and manage multiple activities at once

• Ability to gather, synthesize, and summarize a variety of information from many sources

• Experience developing error-free, audience-specific communication materials and messages including flyers, brochures, booklets, social media, etc.

• Understanding of coalition-building strategies

• Knowledge of evidence-based tobacco use prevention strategies is a plus

Medical Care Development, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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