Tobacco Preventionist

Grant Funded Position

Promotes a healthier community by working to strengthen local compliance with existing laws on the sale of tobacco and nicotine products to minors through education and monitoring activities.

The Tobacco Prevention Specialist will be dedicated to conducting prevention program services focused on tobacco prevention, which include, but are not limited to the following responsibilities:

• Conduct on-site voluntary retail compliance checks with tobacco retailers in the region to assess compliance with State Tobacco laws regarding access, under age tobacco purchase (buys), and signage;
• Document compliance checks on tablet computer and in writing;
• Ensure retailers utilize the most up-to-date signage from the State Comptroller's Office;
• Conduct a minimum of 125 voluntary compliance checks each month;
• Report violations to local law enforcement and/or local Comptroller offices and document these violations;
• Provide retailer education to tobacco retailers who require additional information on the most current tobacco laws, especially as they pertain to under age access;
• Conduct follow-up voluntary retail compliance visits with retailers with prior tobacco-related violations;
• Prepares and present facility and public education programs on state tobacco laws and tobacco prevention;
• Participate in quarterly conference calls;
• Utilize tablet computers and various software programs to complete inspection reports and maintain records;
• Must be able to successfully complete all required trainings to include (but not limited to):
  Prevention Resource Center Competency Training, 15-Hour Prevention Skills Training (PST), Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST) after 12 months of experience, 15 hours of Prevention Continuing Education on an annual basis, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid training, Tobacco Law Training, Suicide Prevention Training, and Mental Health First Aid Training;
• Responds to city wide emergencies;
• Coordinates with numerous departments, e.g. Zoning, Code Enforcement, Texas DSHS and Environmental Health;
• Travels extensively during the day to retail locations and other outreach destinations;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Associates degree and six months to one year experience in public health, environmental health or code enforcement. If hired to work on a Texas HHSC Substance Abuse Prevention Grant a certificate as an Associate Prevention Specialist (APS) or higher is required within 20 months of employment. Certification pay may be available for employees with additional licenses and certifications. Texas Driver's License

Knowledge of:

• Substance abuse prevention domains;
• The Synar Amendment;
• Community resources and contacts;
• Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel (Intermediate level);
• Tobacco cessation or prevention techniques.

Ability to:

• Use interpersonal, team, and ethics skills and professional demeanor to communicate with the public;
• Use outreach and communication skills;
• Plan, organize, and prioritize tasks;
• Plan efficient routes to tobacco retailers.

Physical Requirements:

• Occasionally stand and walk;
• Frequently flex upper truck forward;
• Occasionally lift up to 10 pounds;
• Occasionally push and pull objects;
• Occasionally flex upper trunk forward, partial flexing of knees;
• Occasionally reach above, at or below shoulder height;
• Continuously talk, see and hear;
• Coordinate eye, hand, and foot movement in order to operate a vehicle.