Tobacco Education and Outreach Specialist job description

Tobacco Education and Outreach Specialist

DUTIES

Regularly reviews published peer-reviewed literature on the health impacts of tobacco use and addiction, and writes blog posts and news articles based on this data.

Designs and implements outreach programs for varying demographics, focusing on smoking prevention as well as smoking cessation.

Investigates local tobacco retailers and ensures compliance with tobacco control legislation.

Issues warning letters accordingly when tobacco vendors have been shown to violate tobacco control legislation.

Provides, when necessary, testimony in courtrooms for tobacco-related lawsuits.

Creates comprehensive tobacco education programs for the corporate sector, with the goal of helping organizations become tobacco-free environments.

Works closely with local health care organizations including private clinics and hospitals, to promote tobacco education services.

QUALIFICATIONS

Degree in public health administration, nursing, or related field.

Work or internship experience in a public health organization.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

AVERAGE SALARY

$35,000-$45,000 ("Community Outreach Specialist Careers," n.d.)

EMPLOYMENT LAW

All non-discrimination hiring policies will be strictly followed, including the Fair Labor Standards Act and the laws that fall under the rubric of the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission that address specific types of discrimination (United States Department of Labor, 2016).

Section II: Summary

This job description, including duties and qualifications, would be slightly different today from in the recent past. Tobacco outreach, education, and enforcement has been an important public health issue for many years. Therefore, work in this area has been in demand for quite some time. Best practices in human resources management illustrate the need to work with multiple parties when designing a position that is multidisciplinary like this one, as it involves communication and outreach as well as enforcement of tobacco-related laws. It is important to remember anti-discrimination policies when crafting any job description, and there is no reason to believe that this position should pose any problems with compliance with equal opportunity laws.

As Huselid (1995) points out, best practices in human resources also takes into account organization-level issues such as the need to recruit, hire, and retain. Retention is important in this position to maintain a consistent tone and message in all communications. Public health positions also require a firm attention to budgeting, which makes it important that turnover is minimized and job satisfaction is correspondingly maximized through role clarity and strong job descriptions.