Tobacco Communications & Policy Specialist

Department ofHealth and Human Services (DHHS)

Public Health Educator III

Opening Date: July 2 2025

Closing Date: July 16 2025

Job Class Code: 4374

Grade: 23 (Pro / Tech)

Salary: $49275.20 - $69139.20 per year

Position Number: 02000-2136

Location: This is a full-time position located in Augusta. This opportunity allows partial telework with management approval.

The Tobacco Prevention and Control Program within the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is looking for a Public Health Educator III to assist in the development and review of mass reach communication efforts and legislative monitoring. The Tobacco Prevention & Control Program oversees the Tobacco Prevention & Control efforts for the State of Maine. The Program elements include but are not limited to: Tobacco Treatment (including Maine Quitlink My Life My Quit and School-based Treatment) Health Systems work Tobacco Prevention (including Maine Prevention Network) retailer training and inspection internet sales inspection and data analysis and program evaluation.

This position will assist in the oversight of Tobacco Prevention & Control Communications and major responsibilities include assisting with the work of the media contract developing and reviewing program and campaign website updates posting to the Program Listserv forecasting and responding to media and public requests for information. In this position you will work with and support the prevention and enforcement partners and will lead the Tobacco Programs effort to track and coordinate relevant legislative work. You will be responsible for ensuring contract compliance with deliverables and reporting requirements as well as invoice approvals and denials. Additionally you will review invoices and assist the program manager with ensuring services are delivered within the scope of the contracts. This position may require travel in and out of state.

Core Responsibilities:

As a key member of the Tobacco Prevention & Control team your core responsibilities will include:

Working with the Tobacco Program Manager and the Tobacco Prevention & Control Team to develop statewide Tobacco prevention treatment enforcement programs as well as the development of mass reach campaigns and strategies
Working with the Mass Reach Health Communications (MRHC) contractor contract administrator and staff to ensure contract deliverables completion
Leading efforts to review and update program campaign and Prevention store websites
Working to build and expand communication partners
Disseminating health information through the Program listserv presentations and/or exhibits
Assisting in the preparation of responses to media constituent inquiries and program emails
Reviewing and updating Program policies and procedures
Assisting Program staff/contractors in state and community initiatives related to tobacco planning legislation and policy work (ex. local level tobacco-free policies NO BUTS! programming)
Tracking and coordinating legislative work on topics relevant to the Division
Participating in Maine Prevention Network collective meetings
Working with contractors/vendors to provide technical assistance as requested by the Tobacco Program Manager
Participating in other Program Division and Maine CDC meetings and work as requested including Tobacco Prevention and Control Team and Tobacco Advisory Council Meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelors Degree in Public Health Community Health Education Health Education and two (2) years experience in community or health education program planning development implementation and evaluation. Directly related work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred candidates will also have:

Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to gather synthesize and summarize a variety of information
Demonstrated skill applying best practices and standards for health communication page layout and information design.
The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of internal and external partners
Computer skills including knowledge of graphic design software
Knowledge of and experience with website development and maintenance

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Agency information:

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health safety resilience and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the States population including children families older Mainers and individuals with disabilities mental illness and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health operates two state psychiatric hospitals and provides oversight to health care providers.

The mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) within which this position is located is to develop and deliver services to preserve protect and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine.

Application Information:

For additional information about this position please contact Erik Gordon at

*To apply please upload a resume and cover letter with your application.

Please submit all documents or files in PDF format.

To request a paper application please contact

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government you find employees who embody our state mottoDirigo or I leadas they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforces health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package including:

• Work-Life Fit Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays 12 days of sick leave and 3 weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11196.96 - $12514.32 annual value) depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Dental Insurance The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).
• Retirement Plan The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% of the employees pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).

• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a childincluding fathers and adoptive parentsreceive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional unpaid leave may also be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

State employees are eligible for anextensive and highly competitive benefits package covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated foranything less than full-time.

Theres a job and then theres purposeful transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn grow and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race color sex sexual orientation or gender identity physical or mental disability religion age ancestry national origin familial status or genetics.

If youre looking for a great next step and want to feel good about what you do wed love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.