Tobacco Preventionist

About the Role

This 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.

Responsibilities

• Conduct on-site voluntary retail compliance checks with tobacco retailers in the region to assess compliance with State Tobacco laws regarding access, underage 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 underage access.
• Conduct follow-up voluntary retail compliance visits with retailers with prior tobacco-related violations.
• Prepare 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.
• Successfully complete all required trainings, including 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
  • Mental Health First Aid Training
• Respond to citywide emergencies.
• Coordinate with numerous departments, e.g., Zoning, Code Enforcement, Texas DSHS, and Environmental Health.
• Travel extensively during the day to retail locations and other outreach destinations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree and six months to one year of 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.
• Texas Driver’s License.

Qualifications

• 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 trunk 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

Benefits

The City of Lubbock provides a comprehensive, cost-effective health and welfare package. View employee benefits.