Community Policy & Prevention Specialist

Overview

The Community Policy and Prevention Specialist is part of the Community and Behavioral Health Team within the Adams County Health Department’s Strategic Health Initiatives Division. The specialist leads community-driven efforts to prevent commercial tobacco use and advance positive health outcomes through policy, systems, and environmental change. As a key individual contributor and team member, this role builds community capacity and drives strategic direction for equitable tobacco control and prevention initiatives across Adams County.

• Local policy identification, development, and response (60%):
  Support the identification, coalition-building, and development of local policy efforts to advance tobacco and nicotine prevention. Lead tracking and response to secondhand smoke complaints in community, housing, and business settings; provide technical assistance to health department staff, local government, elected officials, and community partners on tobacco policy; act as subject matter expert.
• Mobilize and lead community coalitions in support of local and place-based policies for retail licensing, smoke-free settings, and Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act compliance.
• Demonstrate leadership by educating, mentoring, and training colleagues and community partners in program-related areas.
• Work cross-divisionally to embed tobacco prevention and cessation education into other strategic programs.
• Negotiate and resolve differing opinions to promote health through changes to systems, policies, and practices.
• Gather and analyze information from community members (including youth) and organizations to inform policy options.
• Utilize a systems-oriented approach to improve community outcomes and address upstream determinants.
• Coordination, Collaboration, and Community Engagement (30%):
  Develop and support partnerships with local government, community-based organizations, property managers, business owners, and healthcare providers. Present data to City Councils, mayors, county commissioners, and other stakeholders. Initiate and manage subcontracts with community organizations. Communicate effectively with all partners and ensure community voices are included.
• Other Duties
  :
  Participate in program development, grant writing, and implementation; prepare written materials and present program updates to the public and elected officials; remove systemic barriers and build fair engagement processes; respond to public health emergencies, participate in drills, and complete emergency preparedness trainings; maintain sensitive client information in compliance with HIPAA and Title X; attend community events on evenings, weekends, and on-call as needed;
  
  travel within the community.

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in public health, public policy, behavioral health sciences, health administration, social work, education, or a related field.
• Minimum three years of experience in leading community outreach activities, including recruiting stakeholders, planning, task delegation, and evaluation.
• Minimum three years of experience working closely with leadership to advance policy, program, and systems change strategies.
• Minimum three years of experience using community-centered approaches to engage constituents for health fairness and negotiating non‑punitive public and environmental health issues.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Colorado driver’s license within 30 days of hire.

• Flexible work hours may be required to accommodate community events, meetings, and outreach activities.
• Travel within the county and participation in evening, weekend, and on‑call duties may be required.
• The position is semi‑stationary, requiring sitting or standing for prolonged periods and occasional movement in an office environment.
• Physical demands are assessed to be light work.
• Position requires frequent outdoor and indoor community event participation.

• AFLAC Supplemental Medical Insurance
• Basic Term Life & Optional Term Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Dental / Vision / Medical Plans
• Generous Vacation / Sick Leave
• Long‑Term Disability
• Retirement Plan
• Short‑Term…