Community Engagement Program Manager

Salary Range: $65,000.00 To $75,000.00 Annually 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 across Erie and Niagara counties. ATFC engages and educates community leaders and members, leverages resources, and mobilizes organizations to advance local tobacco control efforts to: Reduce the impact of retail tobacco marketing on youth and adults, especially disparately affected populations. Increase opportunities for tobacco-free outdoor areas. Reduce secondhand smoke exposure in multi-unit housing. Advance tobacco-free norms through promising and emerging tobacco control initiatives approved by the Health Department. The ATFC Community Engagement Program Manager is responsible for convening two ATFC coalitions in Erie and Niagara counties comprised of key stakeholders. The role demands an experienced public health professional who can foster environments supportive of policy, systems, and environmental changes that reinforce tobacco-free norms throughout New York State. This individual will work collaboratively with the Reality Check Program Manager (who mobilizes youth) to advance local and statewide tobacco control initiatives using evidence-based strategies, community organizing, media advocacy, and policymaker education. MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES (include, but are not limited to): Program Planning and Subject Matter Expertise Maintain and apply advanced professional knowledge of tobacco-related issues, tobacco industry marketing tactics, local/state policy solutions, and the New York State Prevention Agenda. Guide work plan strategies using accurate demographic, scientific, statistical, and evidence-based programmatic information related to tobacco control. Attend required NYS Bureau of Tobacco Control trainings and translate newly acquired skills into strategic program design and implementation. Participate in regional and statewide planning meetings and technical assistance calls. Develop and execute community education campaigns and media messages (press kits, fact sheets, op-eds) tailored to local tobacco control priorities. Coalition Leadership & Community Mobilization Recruit, develop, and maintain diverse community action teams and coalitions mirroring the demographics of Erie and Niagara counties. Coordinate and facilitate coalition operations, including meeting logistics, health communication resources, budget support, and technical assistance. Train and build capacity among coalition members, ensuring key stakeholders develop actionable expertise in effective, policy-level tobacco control interventions. Mobilize community organizations, local partners, and media to demand and implement policy changes, commercial tobacco-free spaces, and multi-unit housing protections. Provide education to local stakeholders, city/town council members, and state legislators on the health and economic impacts of tobacco use. Operations, Budget & Reporting Monitor the program grant budget, ensuring appropriate expenditure rates and compliance with NYS Department of Health guidelines. Ensure precise documentation of all mobilization and outreach efforts in accordance with program procedures. Prepare and submit detailed monthly progress reports to the NYS DOH highlighting program reach, policy milestones, and outcome metrics. Other responsibilities as assigned MINIMUM EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND OTHER SKILLS REQUIRED: Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus at least five years of demonstrated hands-on experience leading community-based public health or tobacco control initiatives; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook Core Competencies & Skills Demonstrated expertise in tobacco control: Deep familiarity with commercial tobacco trends, point-of-sale advertising, secondhand smoke policies, youth vaping prevention, and health equity principles in tobacco control. Policy & Media Literacy: Strong skill in translating public health data into compelling narratives for policy change, news media, and diverse community audiences. Coalition Building: Proven ability to build, retain, and mobilize cross-sector coalitions, community action groups, and grass-roots volunteers. Public Speaking & Training: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with extensive experience designing and delivering presentations to civic leaders, media, and elected officials. Project & Budget Management: Skilled in tracking grant deliverable timelines, monitoring program spending, and submitting compliance reports to state funding agencies. Cultural Competence: Proven capability to engage respectfully and effectively with diverse populations, particularly communities disproportionately targeted by tobacco marketing. Other Position Requirements Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable personal vehicle for regional travel (Erie & Niagara counties). Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, for community events or legislative meetings. Willingness to travel overnight occasionally for state mandated DOH trainings and conferences. PHYSICAL DEMANDS These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the Community Engagement Program Manager’s job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the Community Engagement Program Manager’s job. While performing the Community Engagement 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 15 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 the Community Engagement 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, depending on experience. CAI offers the following benefits: 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 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 Floating holidays days year 12 Sick days per year 15 Vacation days per year for this role, 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.