KCK: Health Department Tobacco Treatment Specialist AmeriCorps

Our Public Health AmeriCorps positions could be right for you! Passion and general skills are needed, experience is not required; training and resources will be provided. Multiple positions are available within the Unified Government’s AmeriCorps Program, and candidates may apply for more than one position.

You describe yourself as:

• Motivated, flexible, passionate, and adaptable
• Able to think creatively and strategically to solve problems
• Desire to be a changemaker in our community
• Looking for an opportunity where you can gain professional skills and experience

The Unified Government’s Public Health AmeriCorps Program is:

• An ideal steppingstone to a career within local government and nonprofit work
• Supportive by encouraging members to seek out professional development opportunities and will facilitate in-house opportunities
• Cultivating a team full of passionate individuals working to create systemic changes in Wyandotte County
• An avenue to pay off college debt or future education

Wyandotte County Public Health Department is committed to helping individuals improve their health and create a healthier community. The organization strives to prevent disease and injury, promote good health, and protect the environment. We work to improve health in our community in many ways - from services like vaccines and family planning, to community initiatives that work to address the root causes affecting residents' health and quality of life.

Wyandotte County has a smoking rate of 21.8% compared to 17.4% statewide. Individuals with lower income levels and lower educational attainment are more likely to smoke or utilize other tobacco products compared to higher earners or those with more education.

Position Summary
The Tobacco Treatment Program Specialist member will serve alongside the WyCo PHD Tobacco Program as a Tobacco Treatment Program Specialist. They will be serving at the Wyandotte Public Health Department to provide Tobacco Treatment to residents and partnering with Wyandotte County high schools that have an established RESIST Chapter. RESIST Chapters are youth-led advocacy groups that plan programs, advocate against, and provide education to their fellow peers on the harms of tobacco use and targeted tobacco marketing to the adolescent and young adult population. Members will provide administrative support to develop and champion RESIST Chapter initiatives in Wyandotte County and will provide tobacco treatment support to both youth and adult residents in the Kansas City Metro.

Members will serve hybrid during regular business hours (Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:30 am – 3pm and Tuesday 8:30-4pm and Thursdays 8:30-6pm) with at least three days of service required in-office. Flexibility to work evenings and weekends may be required. The members’ service time starts on an agreed date until the end of their service year or as otherwise stated.

Members will actively support the Tobacco Program Coordinator by providing assistance and resources for students seeking treatment for nicotine product use. They will also collaborate with classes interested in understanding the health effects of nicotine products to educate students about these effects. Additionally, members will provide assistance to interested students in developing a presentation for the district Board of Education. This presentation will advocate for research-based policies for students found with nicotine products that emphasize educating these students on the effects of nicotine rather than suspending students. The Tobacco Program’s goal is to increase the knowledge of alternative coping skills to nicotine usage for residents, increase the number of adults/youths referred to a program, and increase a positive change in behavior ultimately ceasing nicotine usage.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Participate in Community Partner meetings
• Complete the following required trainings: HIPAA, Health Equity Action Transformation (H.E.A.T), Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification and all required AmeriCorps Kansas Training
• Provide vaping education and counseling support to students who are caught vaping on a needed basis
• Provide Counselling support to both youth and adult residents to treat tobacco and vaping use addiction at the Health Department
• Assist the Tobacco Program Coordinator with the evaluation, monitoring and continuous quality improvement of the vaping and tobacco cessation counseling workflow
• Complete a post survey after a resident has completed the program on their knowledge of alternative coping skills to tobacco usage, the number of residents who intend to quit tobacco usage, self-reported change in tobacco usage, and the number of residents who schedule a follow up appointment with certified TTS
• Provide event planning support for Anti-Tobacco Promotional Planning
• Complete public health application projects according to a specific tobacco topic of choice
• Provide tabling assistance and health education at community engagement events such as Youth Health Day
• Assist in conducting research, collecting data, analyzing data, and creating marketing materials.
• Track and report number of people from Wyandotte County that are referred to the KanQuit and the MyLifeMyQuit line
• Help students develop and plan curriculum for informational presentations on the harms of tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery devices (ENDDS)
• Help the RESIST Chapters with Logistical Planning and Presentation Preparation concerning the Take Down Tobacco Day Annual Event
• Devise strategies and plans for RESIST Chapter sponsor recruitment and chapter development
• Collaborate with Tobacco Program Coordinator to develop and implement a communications campaign for Tobacco Cessation Services geared towards youth and adults
• Support the Tobacco Program Coordinator in Social Media Development and Promotion concerning Youth-related Anti-Tobacco Promotion and Events
• Develop informational materials concerning the harms of tobacco, vaping and nicotine use for widespread dissemination for Wyandotte County residents
• Assist Tobacco Program Coordinator in development of Tobacco related presentations as needed
• Present to interested classes about the health effects of using nicotine products

Minimum Qualifications:

• Be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service. If an individual is under 18, parental consent is required to participate in an AmeriCorps Kansas Program.
• Have a high school diploma, diploma completion certificate/GED, or agree to obtain such before using the education award.
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident requirement.
• Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria.
• Be available Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:30 am – 3pm and Tuesday 8:30-4pm and Thursdays 8:30-6pm; flexibility to serve on some weekends and evenings may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree.
• Experience (work or volunteer) with and/or understanding of the public health sector or community organization.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Teams)
• Proficiency in Google software including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms
• Intermediate in marketing development platforms such as Canva
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Possess interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders from various sectors
• Familiar with Social Media platforms
• Possess knowledge on event planning
• Experience working with adolescents and teenagers

AmeriCorps State/National Member Compensation:

• The total living allowance for 900 hrs of service is $11,950
• Upon successful completion of service, AmeriCorps provides a Segal Education Award for college loans or future education expenses of $3,967.50

AmeriCorps VISTA Member Benefits:

• The Segal Education Award
• Bi-weekly living allowance
• Member assistance program
• Student loan deferment and forbearance
• College and university match
• Professional development training

Join the Public Health AmeriCorps Program! The Unified Government (UG) is committed to civic innovation, job creation, economic development, and the health of Wyandotte County residents - and our members are contributing in big ways.

Job Types: Part-time, Contract, Temporary, Internship

Pay: $11,950.00 per year

Expected hours: No less than 23 per week

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule

Application Question(s):

• I understand this opportunity is not traditional employment but is national service. The living allowance varies based on member time slot and is not negotiable. Please acknowledge acceptance of this statement below.

Please respond YES or NO.

• I can satisfy the national background check requirement.

Please respond YES or NO.

• I am either a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien.

Please respond YES or NO.

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $11,950