"Tobacco Youth Prevention Senior Specialist"

Job Details

Posting Number: 2026023

Posting/Functional Title: Tobacco Youth Prevention Senior Specialist

University Pay Plan Title: Sr Program Specialist

Location: San Marcos

Department: Texas School Safety Center

Recruitment Type: Open Recruiting

Job Type: Full-Time

Funding Source: Grant

Monthly Salary: $6,000-$6,667

Job Category: Exempt

Required Qualifications:

• Experience directing/leading project teams
• 3 years of experience in implementing youth leadership programming
• 3 years experience working in public health, education, or a related field
• Experience working with and training youth in middle and/or high school
• Experience delivering presentations to both youth and adult audiences
• Experience managing and operating online training platforms
• Experience developing creative content for educational purposes
• Experience in tobacco prevention and/or substance use prevention programming
• Demonstrated experience using Microsoft Office Suite

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Knowledge about tobacco prevention and laws pertaining to tobacco
• Demonstrated experience in managing programmatic budgets
• Experience planning and coordinating events and/or conferences
• Experience using various social media platforms
• Associate Prevention Specialist or Certified Prevention Specialist

Job Description:

The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) is an official university-level research center at Texas State University. The TxSSC is tasked in Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code and the Governor’s Homeland Security Strategic Plan with key school safety initiatives and mandates. The TxSSC serves as the clearinghouse for the dissemination of safety and security information through research, training, and technical assistance for K-12 schools and junior colleges throughout the state of Texas. As a result, Texas has become a national leader in school safety practices and is relied upon for assistance and guidance from jurisdictions throughout the nation.

The Tobacco Youth Prevention Senior Specialist will report directly to the Youth Initiatives Coordinator and is a part of the Youth and Community Initiatives Division within the Texas School Safety Center at Texas State University.

The Senior Specialist will serve as the team lead for the Tobacco Youth Prevention Program and will be known as the Youth Tobacco Prevention Program Lead. This position will work closely with the Youth Initiatives Coordinator to advance programmatic work to support the planning, development, coordination, and implementation of the statewide Tobacco Youth Prevention Program (Say What!). This position requires the ability to multi-task, shift priorities, and work independently to move tasks forward.

This position performs functions such as serving as project lead, coordinating and scheduling events, assigning tasks, managing the work of others as well as serving as programmatic liaison and contact with key tobacco prevention stakeholders. This position DOES NOT directly supervise others.

This position allows for considerable latitude for independent judgement, initiative, and action within the program.

Job Duties:

• Collaborate with Tobacco Youth Prevention Program staff to implement the Say What! program
• Provide regular updates to Youth Initiatives Coordinator regarding program progress, recommendations, challenges, opportunities for collaboration, etc.
• Develop and design creative content aimed at educating youth and adults in tobacco prevention education for various resources including presentations, facilitator guides, toolkits, infographics, webinars, training modules, etc.
• Deliver and present creative content through various settings including Teams, Zoom, face to face, and podcasts
• Manage the Say What! website (txsaywhat.com) and Say What! member portal
• Plan, develop and implement Texas Tobacco-Free Kids Day statewide awareness project to include marketing, communication, and ensuring participating groups report on projects/events implemented
• Promote various other statewide and national events and awareness efforts, including World No Tobacco Day, Red Ribbon Week, and Great American Smoke-Out.
• Attend, staff, and lead Say What! Texas Tobacco-Free Summit, Say What! Texas Tobacco-Free Conference, and other tobacco prevention trainings and events
• Plan, develop and implement in-person Say What! Texas Tobacco-Free Summits to include agenda development, recruitment of participants, scheduling of presenters, materials development, logistics, securing site location, etc.
• Plan, develop and implement virtual Say What! Action Summits to include content development, marketing, communication, managing registration, preparing Teen Ambassadors for filming
• Assist Youth Initiatives Coordinator in planning, developing and implementing Say What! Texas Tobacco-Free Conference to include agenda development, marketing, recruitment of participants, scheduling of presenters, materials development, logistics, securing site location, etc.
• Oversee the statewide youth leadership advisory group, the Say What! Teen Ambassadors, facilitating and ensuring participation and input for the Say What! movement
• Oversee the development and implementation of the statewide Mini-Grant Kit program to include marketing, communication, and ensuring participating groups report on projects/events implemented
• Oversee development and implementation of Say What! social media platforms
• Travel to remote locations to oversee and coordinate tobacco youth prevention events and training
• Serve as program’s point of contact for key tobacco prevention stakeholders statewide and nationally and Say What! members
• Maintain knowledge and expertise regarding youth leadership and tobacco prevention
• Prepare monthly quarterly, and annual program summary reports to meet reporting requirements and deadlines
• Perform other duties as assigned

Additional Information to Applicants: Full-Time Grant-funded program. Funded through August 31, 2026, with chances of renewal promising. NORMAL WORK HRS: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (additional hours/some evenings and weekends and overnight travel as necessary) 10-15% overnight travel required. Job Open Date: 09/17/2025. Open Until Filled: Yes. Normal Work Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Normal Work Hours Start: 8:00AM. Normal Work Hours End: 5:00PM.