Community Health Worker - Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Program

Introduction

Help Build a Healthier New Haven.

Join the New Haven Health Department as a Community Health Worker, Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Program, and help shape a healthier future for our community. This dynamic, field-based position puts you at the center of tobacco prevention and cessation efforts-engaging youth, partnering with schools and community organizations, leading educational programs, supporting smoke-free initiatives, and connecting residents with valuable health resources. Every day offers the opportunity to build relationships, inspire healthier choices, and make a measurable impact across New Haven. If you''re motivated by service, education, and community engagement, we encourage you to apply.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

This is a full-time position with the New Haven Health Department responsible for conducting community outreach, education, and engagement activities related to tobacco use prevention and cessation. The Community Health Worker (CHW) will work directly community residents, including youth and young adults, as well as community partners to deliver tobacco, Nicotine or other smoking products (i.e., e-cigarettes, vapes, etc.) prevention messaging and increase awareness of the risks of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. This position requires regular fieldwork, including occasional evenings and weekends.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducts outreach and education to youth and young adults on tobacco prevention and cessation resources
• Develops and delivers presentations in schools, community settings, and youth-serving organizations
• Distributes prevention materials, including flyers, posters, and educational resources
• Engages individuals at community events, schools, and high-traffic locations where youth gather
• Supports development and implementation of social media and peer-driven prevention campaigns
• Assists in recruitment and engagement of Community Advisory Board (CAB) members
• Collaborates with community partners to deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate messaging
• Collects data through surveys, outreach tracking, and program participation logs
• Maintains accurate records of outreach activities and enters data into program systems
• Assists with evaluation activities, including pre/post surveys and feedback collection
• Supports coordination of events, workshops, and community forums
• Maintains inventory of outreach materials and supplies
• Builds relationships with community organizations, schools, and local stakeholders
• Leads tobacco cessation groups utilizing evidence-based methodologies such as motivational interviewing
• Organizes community forums for policy change initiatives
• Works with groups to support adoption, expansion and compliance with smoke-free and tobacco-free legislation
• Performs related work as required

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Associate's degree in Public Health, Social Work, or related field. Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Social Work, or a related field preferred.
• One to three years of experience working in community outreach or health education.
• In lieu of a Associate's degree, an additional 2 years of directly related experience may be substituted.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of community health outreach strategies and health education practices, with the ability to apply these to the Tobacco Prevention Program.
• Knowledge of tobacco prevention and public health issues preferred.
• Knowledge of New Haven's social service network and community health programs.
• Knowledge of trauma informed care or harm reduction principles.
• Ability to use software such as Word and Excel, creating items such as documents, spreadsheets, and data collection.
• Competency in using email clients (e.g., Outlook, Gmail), calendar applications, and collaboration tools (e.g. Teams, Zoom) for scheduling, managing correspondence, and participating in remote meetings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey information to employees, community members, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including city officials, state agencies, boards and committees, staff, community organizations, and the public.
• Public speaking and presentation skills sufficient to facilitate group education sessions and presentations.
• Ability to interact in a non-judgmental manner with culturally diverse populations and people experiencing a wide range of medical social conditions.
• Ability to work collaboratively with youth, diverse populations, and partners.
• Self-motivated, organized; able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of Culturally and Linguistic Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards is beneficial.
• Ability to read and write English required. Bilingual (English/Spanish) desirable.
• Project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple initiatives, meet deadlines, and perform effectively under pressure.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have and maintain a valid Connecticut driver's license.
• Flexibility of schedule; this position may occasionally require work to be performed outside of a traditional 9-5 schedule.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements

Amount of Time

Working Environment

Amount of Time

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Stand

X

Wet or humid conditions (non-weather)

X

Walk

X

Work near moving mechanical parts

X

Sit

X

Work in high, precarious places

X

Use hands to touch, handle, or feel

X

Fumes or airborne particles

X

Reach with hands and arms

X

Toxic or caustic chemicals

X

Climb or balance

X

Outdoor weather conditions

X

Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl

X

Extreme cold (non-weather)

X

Talk or hear

X

Risk of electrical shock

X

Taste or smell

X

Work with explosives

X

Risk of radiation

X

Lifting or force to be exerted?

Vibration

X

How much and how often?

Amount of Time

Utilizes computer workstations and standard office equipment

X

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Customer / end user interaction (face-to-face)

X

Up to 10 pounds

X

Up to 25 pounds

X

Up to 50 pounds

X

Up to 75 pounds

X

Up to 100 pounds

X

More than 100 pounds

X

SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a Special Fund, "Non-Tested" position. Continued employment contingent upon availability of future funding. The grant supporting this position is anticipated to be available through June 2029, but funding may be terminated at any time.

This position is included in a collective bargaining agreement with Local 3144, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Bargaining agreements available to review HERE.

Special Funded employees shall not be covered by the City pension but shall continue to be covered by Social Security.

The City of New Haven does not sponsor employment visas. All applicants must have current authorization to work in the U.S. without employer-sponsored visa support.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) a pre-employment background check, (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening in accordance with the City's Drug Free Workplace Policy*, and (3) a 90-day probationary period. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.

Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana.

Selection Plan

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the minimum requirements as listed within the job description; failure to do so may result in disqualification.

It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to ascertain if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process, and in some cases, this information may be used to determine the eligibility list. A hiring decision may be made prior to the removal of the job posting.

Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found HERE.

Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email. You must provide a valid, working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam/junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department.

We reserve the right to extend an application deadline or close a job posting early to ensure we can attract and identify the best candidate(s) for a position.

Conclusion

To apply for this opportunity:

• Complete your User Registration. You are encouraged to save your Applicant Profile for future use.

• You MUST click on the job posting you are interested in, and click Apply or Apply Online from within that posting.

• MAKE SURE the job you are applying for is named at the top of the page as you review your application!

• Review or modify your application for that position

• Click "Ready to Send App" or the "Send" tab; read page and click the attestation

• Click "Send to City of New Haven"

• You will be redirected to "CONFIRMATION OF EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION SUBMISSION"

• You will also receive an email and text, if a number was provided, confirming your submission

• If you do not receive this confirmation in the next 24 hours, your application has not been submitted - please contact us at NHJobs@newhavenct.gov

Please Note, your Profile is NOT an application for an open position. After you create your Applicant Profile, you must still click on a Job Title and complete the application as instructed for each position.