Senior Program Associate – Tobacco Treatment & Prevention (Healthy Communities of the Capital Area - HCCA)

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

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

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

• Strong desire and ability to network and engage community partners and other interest holders

• Ability to work independently

• Ability to meet deadlines

• Strong time management and accountability skills

• 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

• Experience using Microsoft Office suite and Google Workspace

• Valid Maine driver’s license and reliable transportation

• Must be eligible to work in the United States

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

• Knowledge and comfort navigating public schools is a plus

The Senior Program Associate – Tobacco Treatment & Prevention will:

• Deliver evidence-based tobacco treatment strategies in Kennebec County high schools and other settings statewide.

• Work closely with school staff and leadership to recruit and refer youth for tobacco treatment services.

• Conduct focus groups with youth and key informant interviews with adults.

• Facilitate and lead a quarterly advisory group.

• Provide ongoing technical assistance and support for local and statewide project partners.

• Recruit and train partners on the tobacco treatment support curriculum.

• Facilitate in-person and/or virtual youth tobacco quit support groups.

• Assist evaluation efforts for the tobacco quit support curriculum.

• 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.

• Develop and advocate for policies that promote smoke-free and tobacco-free environments.

• Provide presentations and training (in person and virtually), and promote via relevant communication channels, 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.

• Collaborate with school partners to implement systems changes that integrate tobacco treatment and restorative responses to behavioral health challenges.

• Serve as a spokesperson for tobacco use and exposure prevention, and HCCA by providing education through webinars and in-person presentations to schools and youth-serving organizations 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, such as MaineHealth’s Center for Tobacco Independence’s (CTI) basic skills and intensive skills training, and motivational interviewing.

• Attain Tobacco Treatment Specialist certification.

• Attain Certified Prevention Specialist certification.

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

• Utilize written and electronic media for a variety of community awareness strategies.

• Protect confidential information about program participants.

• Oversee grant reporting requirements for reports to be accurate and submitted on time.

• Work closely with the HCCA Program Manager and the Finance Manager to track tobacco program expenditures, maintain budget tracking tools, and ensure timely spending.

• Assist with the development of draft budgets and grant applications for projects within the tobacco prevention program.

• Serve as point of contact for the tobacco prevention program. 

• Coordinate and facilitate Central District MPN meetings. 

• Promote positive relationships between and among HCCA and all potential collaborating partners by meeting with various stakeholders (schools, youth-serving organizations, age-friendly community groups, etc.) and finding opportunities to network and establish new relationships with potential partners to expand or enhance HCCA’s tobacco treatment and 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.

• Perform other duties as assigned.