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Public Health Prevention Specialist

City of Worcester
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The City of Worcester seeks qualified applicants for the position of Public Health Prevention Specialist (Tobacco) for the Division of Public Health within the Health and Human Services Department. Under the general direction of the Director of Public Health and the direct supervision of the Community Health Coordinator, the Public Health Prevention Specialist (PHPS) carries out specific duties as it relates to public health functions, programs and/or activities related to the Greater Worcester Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The PHPS will serve as a liaison and provide guidance between local municipalities, local tobacco retailers and the City of Worcester on local tobacco policy development and implementation. The PHPS will work closely with local partners to build and maintain coalition goal driven to move public health strategies and policies forward. This position requires interstate travel and access to reliable transportation to carry out regular inspections. PHPS will occasionally work nights and weekends.

Bilingual applicants encouraged to apply. 

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS: 

  • Serve as point of contact and provide technical assistance to local Boards of Health (BOH) to promulgate model tobacco regulations in the communities of the Central MA Regional Public Health Alliance.
  • Build, maintain, and facilitate local public health coalitions.
  • Maintain and improve the  tobacco database to store contact information  inspection data, and process tobacco permits.
  • Collaborate with appropriate City departments, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), local BOH, internal public health staff and tobacco retailers to ensure an efficient and effective permitting, education, inspection, and enforcement process.
  • Conduct retailer education and compliance inspections In Worcester and alliance towns for approximately 250 retailers  three times a year
  • Work with the Chief of Community Health to develop and implement a yearly work plan.
  • Work with the Chief of Community Health to compile and submit all required permit, fiscal, inspection and programmatic reporting as stated in the work plan.
  • Collaborate with community organizations to provide tobacco education to schools, colleges, youth, parents, and other key stakeholders.
  • Attend all local, regional, and statewide tobacco trainings and meetings as requested.
  • Hire Tobacco Interns to conduct compliance checks as determined by the Program Coordinator.
  • Other additional duties as assigned.   
  • Represent the City during CHIP related meetings and projects and support the Greater Worcester Community Health Assessment and the CHIP

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

  • Strong understanding of the social determinants of health and health and racial equity to address health concerns across disease categories and conditions
  • Experience working with community stakeholders to advance community health, and comfortable with giving presentations and facilitating discussions
  • Experience in the development and implementation of policy, systems, and change concepts to prevent and reduce chronic disease and associated risk factors and impact healthy communities
  • Experience developing strategies that include the monitoring of health outcome data for program improvement and decision making
  • Experience developing and facilitating partnerships, coalitions and coordinated activities
  • Relationship management skills and experience creating collaboration among partner organizations
  • Stay current on all local, state and national tobacco policy that impacts local public health
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Strong research, analytical and data skills
  • Proficiency in electronic databases and Microsoft Office Suite
  • Ability to work nights and weekends, as required
  • Ability to maintain records and prepare reports
  • Strong attention to detail 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Health Education, Community Health, Environmental Health or related degree
    • Any equivalent combination of education, training and five (5) years experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
  • One (1) year experience working in a community and/or public health setting

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Master’s Degree in Public Health, Health Education, Community Health, Environmental Health or related degree
  • Two (2) years of experience working in a community and/or public health setting
  • Previous experience working in a community and/or public health setting 
  • Experience conducting tobacco inspections

SALARY RANGE: $51,740 - $66,851 annually, full-time, exempt, with an excellent benefit package. 

To apply, please visit:  www.worcesterma.gov/employment or send resume and cover letter on or before FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2024, to:  City of Worcester, 455 Main Street, Room 109, Worcester, MA  01608. Preference is given to Worcester residents. The City of Worcester is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Direct inquiries to:  City Hall, Human Resources, Room 109, 508-799-1030, HR@worcesterma.gov.