Health Promotion Specialist - Commercial Tobacco Reduction

General Description

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive

DEPARTMENT: Public Health

HOURS: Full Time, 40 hours per week

PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $67,643 - $76,099/annually (Salary Grade 108)

FULL SALARY RANGE: $67,643 - $105,693/annually

LOCATION: Hybrid; telework and in-person at the Northern Service Center, West St. Paul

UNION: None

CLOSE DATE: Updated to 4:30pm on 7/5/2024

Come join us at Dakota County! Dakota County employs over 2,000 skilled individuals whose talents and contributions make Dakota County a premier place to live and work. The work County government does is unique. Dakota County offers important careers - the kind of careers that make a difference in people's lives. You will not be just another employee; you'll be a valued employee making a difference in the lives of Dakota County residents every single day. Will you be the next person to join us?

The Health Promotion Unit focuses on chronic disease prevention and promoting health equity in our increasingly diverse community. This position will implement effective community-based health promotion strategies utilizing a Policy, Systems and Environmental change approach. Focus areas are in commercial tobacco and substance use prevention, and may include healthy food access, active living, resilience well-being and other departmental initiatives, as assigned. Duties include project management (including workplan, budget and contract management) community engagement, managing contractors, building partnerships, meeting facilitation, assessment, planning, policy development and implementation, evaluation, and providing consultation and assistance to individuals and groups in community organizations, schools, worksites, healthcare, etc. Occasionally this position may train community in various topic areas. The team environment is supportive and collaborative, and each staff has an opportunity to lead a portion of the work.

LOCATION AND SCHEDULE: Work is performed in a hybrid work environment: remotely at an approved telework location, in a Dakota County office building, and in the community. Staff are required to be in the office part-time each week, in addition to other in-person needs as determined by respective projects and community need.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher degree in Public Health, Nursing, Health Education, Health Policy, Human Services, Communications, Community or Organizational Development or related area; AND
• One or more years of experience in community-based, population-level health promotion.

OR

An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience to total five or more years.

• Valid driver's license

NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience engaging diverse community partners, including community engagement and working across cultures, governmental and non-governmental sectors

• Experience in Public Health

• Experience in commercial tobacco and/or substance use prevention work

• Experience in policy, system, and environmental change

• Knowledge of the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership

Duties & Responsibilities

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required.

1.Lead policy, systems and environmental initiatives related to Commercial Tobacco Prevention efforts, focused on youth-led initiatives.

2.Lead assessment and integration of policy, systems, and environments related to population-level health in the areas of commercial tobacco prevention/vaping.

3.Provide technical assistance, resources, and training to aid schools in policy development, implementation, evaluation, and compliance with federal guidelines, and topics such as vaping or substance use prevention and act as primary liaison to 3 districts for a variety of school-based wellness projects.

4.Coordinate the development of other SHIP or departmental programming, in government or community organizations, such as FoodRx, Responsible Beverage Server trainings, or others as assigned.

5.Provide project management, technical assistance and resources for other health promotion initiatives as assigned.

6.Draft and monitor project-specific budgets.

7.Engage diverse populations in identifying and addressing needs related to social determinants of health and chronic disease prevention.

8.Bring an equity lens to initiatives.

9.Monitor and report results and/ or evaluation outcomes of initiatives.

10. Facilitate meetings with diverse organizational leaders, residents, and stakeholders to learn and work together on public health issues and policies.

11. Develop educational and promotional material, reports, plans, grant applications, and related communication tools to support health policies or programs.

12. Coordinate contracts with community partners via our internal contracting procedures.

13. Represent the department and county to the public, internal and external groups and organizations. Share educational information and other resources.

14. Serve as main point person for contractors, if applicable.

15. Perform public health emergency response functions as trained and assigned within the department's emergency response plan.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1-15 are essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

• Knowledge of evidence-based and promising practices for community-based primary prevention efforts in the area of commercial tobacco prevention.

• Knowledge of public health principles, programs, practices, and policies.

• Is comfortable performing new skillsand learning new tasks.

• General understanding of health equity principals and authentic community engagement practices.

• Knowledge of different organizational systems and practices.

• Knowledge of principles of community needs assessment, effective policy and program development, program evaluation outcome measurement, and research tools.

• Ability to facilitate community and internal meetings.

• Knowledge of educational, training and consultation principles, practices, materials, and tools with various populations.

• Ability to establish effective working relationships with diverse staff, community, contractors, and professional groups.

• Ability to exercise tact, judgment and initiative.

• Ability to work independently and set own work priorities as a project manager.

• Effective communication skills, both oral and written.

• Ability to monitor, record, and report progress and results of program activity.

• Ability to monitor budgeting for role's initiatives.

• Ability to use computer and program-related software.

• Ability to apply principles of health equity and intercultural awareness to community-based work.

WORK LOCATION AND CONDITIONS: Work is performed in a hybrid model with work being performed remotely as well as weekly in-person office days at a county building and in the field throughout Dakota County as dictated by community need. Travel is required for some positions. Lifting requirement of up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, personal computer, printer, calculator, telephone, copy and fax machine.

SELECTION PROCESS: The examination/selection process for this classification will consist of a rating of your training and experience from the application materials submitted. The top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.

Dakota County welcomes and is inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and perspectives. The County aims to reflect the community and clients it serves, and fosters an equitable and respectful working environment where everyone is empowered to be their authentic selves.

Who We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota's third-largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is "Be More," and we strive daily to achieve excellence in public service, focusing on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits

• Excellent work-life balance

• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)

• Eleven paid holidays each year

• Pension with a generous employer contribution

• Ability to work from home some of the time

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions

• We assign you a score based on your qualifications

• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration

• We conduct background and reference checks before hiring

• Selected candidate will go through a drug test

Agency

Dakota County

Address

Administration Center

1590 Highway 55

Hastings, Minnesota, 55033-2372

Phone

651.438.4435

Website

http://www.dakotacounty.us