Reality Check Program Manager

Position Title: Reality Check Program Manager                      

Reports To: Project Director

Employee Status: Full Time, Exempt                                          

Location/Office: Buffalo, NY (CAI has a hybrid work schedule of working 2 days in the office and 3 days remote.)  

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Advancing Tobacco-Free Communities (ATFC) grant, awarded by the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Tobacco Control, supports the reduction and prevention of tobacco use in both Erie and Niagara counties. ATFC engages and educates community leaders and members, leverages resources, and mobilizes organizations to advance local tobacco control efforts. Initiatives include the administration of Reality Check, a program that engages youth in action-oriented activities to mitigate, reduce, and eliminate the tobacco industry's deceptive marketing practices. 

The Reality Check Program Manager is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and administering a youth-centric program to support the prevention and reduction of tobacco use through strategic community engagement efforts rooted in mobilizing youth aged 13-18 years, consistent with the NYS Department of Health (NYS DOH) Bureau of Tobacco Control goals. This individual must be able to independently and effectively implement youth engagement strategies while simultaneously working strategically and collaboratively with the ATFC Community Engagement Manager to advance local and statewide tobacco control action.

MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES (include, but are not limited to):

Program Planning and Development: 

• Maintain a professional level of knowledge and understanding of youth-focused tobacco-related issues and of tobacco control interventions as well as the NYS prevention agenda; 
• Contribute to team development of work plan strategies and activities; 
• Work collaboratively with other programs and colleagues to leverage resources; 
• Attend required Bureau of Tobacco Control training and apply skills to program planning; 
• Participate in regional and statewide planning meetings and conference calls; 
• Assist in the development of community education/awareness materials and campaigns targeting youth aged 13-18. 

Program Operations and Implementation; 

• Actively engage, recruit, and support youth and youth-focused groups in each county to conduct community education, mobilization, and advocacy activities in support of tobacco-related policy change through regularly convened meetings; 
• Provide continuous training, guidance, and support to Reality Check youth to build their capacity to advance tobacco control policies and initiatives; 
• Obtain and maintain required signed parental permission forms for youth participation, travel, and photo release for earned media and other publicity; 
• Support and enable youth aged 13-18 to participate in regional, statewide, and national tobacco control events; 
• With input from Reality Check youth, collaborate with the ATFC Community Engagement Manager in the development of community education/awareness materials and campaigns and management of social media platforms; 
• Build and maintain relationships with community leaders and state and local elected officials, including Reality Check youth, in these interactions whenever feasible; 
• Seek out networking opportunities and maintain communication and collaboration with community partner organizations; 
• Monitor program expenses; and 
• Ensure records of all program activities are documented in accordance with program procedures and are available to support ongoing program monitoring; 

Reporting: 

• Prepare regular reports on the progress and outcomes of community mobilization efforts; 
• Complete portions of the monthly progress reports submitted to NYS DOH regarding project activities.

Other responsibilities as assigned

MINIMUM EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND OTHER SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with relevant youth-focused community stakeholders and organizations; 
• Knowledge and skill in interpreting and communicating data, public health policy, and media advocacy; 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as public speaking experience; 
• The ability to work independently and handle multiple tasks with minimal supervision;  
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint;
• Must have a valid New York State driver’s license and vehicle or provide evidence of mobility within the assigned community;
• The ability to attend required meetings and training as directed by NYS DOH;
• Local travel and overnight stays to maximize travel opportunities may be required; 
• Master’s degree in health and human services, community health, or other related fields with at least five years’ experience in program outreach, community organizing, and/or program development and implementation; or equivalent combination of education and experience; 
• Knowledge of youth development principles and the ability to motivate and empower youth aged 13-18 to become leaders and advocates; 
• Experience in personal interaction to support youth development and/or working directly and collaboratively with youth; and
• Knowledge of community health, public health, and the regional health care delivery system. 

Position schedule:

Full-time, Monday through Friday. Candidates must have the ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings and/or weekends, as appropriate to implement community education events. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the Reality Check Program Manager’s job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the Reality Check Program Manager’s job.

While performing the Reality Check Program Manager’s responsibilities, the employee is required to talk and hear. This position requires the employee to be on-site at a CAI office. The employee is often required to sit and work at a desk for prolonged periods of time and use their hands and fingers to handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. 

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of Reality Check Program Manager’s position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $65,000 - $75,000. CAI offers a generous benefits package including:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care Account (DCA)
• Transit Reimbursement Account
• Life Insurance – company sponsored up to $50,000
• Long term disability (LTD)
• Short term disability (STD)
• 401K retirement plan after three (3) months of employment
• 401K company match of up to 3% of salary after the completion of one (1) year of service
• Semi-monthly payroll, the 15th and last day of each month
• Flexible and Hybrid work schedules
• Ability to work fully remotely up to 3 weeks each calendar year

Vacation and Leave benefits:

• 11 Holidays per year
• 2 Personal days year
• 12 Sick days per year
• 10-15 Vacation days per year increasing after 4 years of service
• 1 Cancer Screening Day per year
• Bereavement Leave
• Jury Duty Leave
• 
  
• CAI is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.