Tobacco Control Coordinator

Statement of Duties

The Tobacco Control Coordinator enforces tobacco regulations, educates retailers and the public, and leads tobacco control efforts under the Six-City Tobacco Initiative (Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Revere, Somerville & Winthrop). This position is funded through the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program (MTCP) grant and is responsible for delivering on all required compliance, enforcement, and reporting components.

The Coordinator conducts inspections, oversees youth participation in compliance checks, engages with business owners and community members, and advises Boards of Health (BOH) on regulatory and policy recommendations. The position requires flexibility for after-hours fieldwork, a high degree of independence, and comfort working with diverse populations, including youth.

This is a safety-sensitive position and is contingent upon successful pre-employment background and screening checks.

Equity Commitment:
The City of Somerville Health and Human Services Department is committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and racial and social justice in all aspects of municipal operations. We strive to ensure that our programs, policies, and communications are accessible and culturally responsive to the diverse populations we serve. This role supports that mission through public health enforcement and community engagement efforts that prioritize language access, cultural humility, and equitable outcomes.

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Carry out all tobacco control enforcement, education, and documentation activities in accordance with MTCP requirements and Somerville’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Complete inspections, compliance checks, Synar operations, and enforcement follow-up across the Six-City Tobacco Initiative region for all stores (approximately 300) as assigned by the Director of Prevention Services.
• Ensure all work meets the standards and protocols of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program (MTCP), and local Board of Health regulations.
• Develop work plans and other activities with funder Massachusetts Tobacco Control (MTCP).
• Participate in meetings/trainings including MTCP Coalition meetings and attend all trainings/meetings required by the MA Department of Public Health.
• Enter data live into the POST system during fieldwork (using City-supplied tablet) and maintain all associated documentation, including internal spreadsheets, letters, violation notices, and entries in Citizen Serve for Somerville stores.
• Conduct return inspections, suspension checks, and permit follow-up visits in accordance with the SOP and enforcement timelines.
• Prepare and submit quarterly reports tracking inspections, violations, appeals, complaints, and education.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including City Solicitor, ISD, and Treasury, for enforcement actions and appeals.
• Recruit, train, and supervise youth under the age of 21 for Synar and compliance checks; coordinate scheduling and obtain parental consent as required.
• Conduct practical and policy-focused training for municipal staff in other communities to help integrate tobacco control into local workflows.
• Provide direct education to tobacco retailers during inspections and follow-ups, including signage distribution and best practice guidance.
• Promote equity and inclusion by prioritizing multilingual and culturally competent communication in education, outreach, and policy development efforts.
• Review and disseminate educational materials for retailers, youth, parents, schools and community.
• Coordinate SOP consistency, communication protocols, and cross-municipal enforcement.
• Represent the six communities at Board of Health meetings and legal hearings related to appeals, enforcement actions, or policy changes in all participating municipalities.
• Support policy development by providing data,…