Specialist, Advocacy

The American Lung Association has an excellent opportunity for a Specialist, Advocacy. Working as a member of the Advocacy and Public Policy department, you will join an outstanding group of professionals dedicated to our mission: to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through research, education, and advocacy. 

The Specialist, Advocacy is a Dedicated Community Organizer leading the implementation of Commercial Tobacco-Free Communities grant initiatives in South Central Minnesota. This role focuses on driving policy, systems, and environmental changes to reduce access to flavored commercial tobacco products. Key responsibilities include maintaining and expanding coalitions, conducting community education and outreach, engaging and empowering communities, and collaborating with local and statewide partners. The ideal candidate will be passionate about lung health, working to raise awareness of teen vaping and advocate for public policies that address lung health. This is a 100% grant-funded position. 

Location: This position is home-based and job responsibilities will take place in South Central Minnesota. 

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate all aspects of grant project activities in south central Minnesota, including trainings, presentations, and coordination with partners
• Develop and effectively utilize timelines and grant contract work plans to ensure completion of program deliverables 
• Lead the preparation of monthly and quarterly grant reports 
• Adhere to ALA’s administrative and recordkeeping guidelines to support accurate reporting of grant deliverables and activities; complete key grant reports, including in-kind, quarterly reports, and Grants Correspondence. 
• Base activities for policy and systems change on CDC Best Practices, in regard to tobacco control.
• Support and lead local grassroots development and coalition building; represent ALA on local coalitions and committees.
• Identify partnership and potential sponsorship opportunities with other organizations, agencies, and/or individuals. 
• Build, maintain and cultivate relationships with funders, facilitators, and community partners to encourage program delivery, sustainability, and growth across Minnesota, including signature ALA programs where applicable. 
• Meet assigned all grant deliverables and quarterly objectives, and actively participate in Minnesota for Smoke Free Generations coalition
• Explore opportunities to connect and enhance collaborations throughout the Lung Association
• Advance American Lung Association’s partnerships to accomplish its mission. Recognize opportunities for Development and Health Promotion and connect ALA to partner organizations to capitalize on opportunities that arise in the field.

Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s Degree in public health or related field, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Minimum 1 year of experience developing and implementing community awareness, education, and programs specifically related to areas of public health.
• Prior experience in public health, community relations, public policy, and/or advocacy.  
• Must be a self-starter with excellent communication skills both written and oral.
• Positive attitude with the ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Required to travel for meetings and conferences as required by the grant. 
• Ability to lift approximately 25 lbs. when assisting with local events.
• Ability to work with minimal direct supervision, make decisions, and take initiative.
• Proven ability to cultivate and steward relationships across a diverse population.
• Must have a valid Driver’s license and your own reliable transportation with the ability to travel within assigned area 10% of the time for meetings and conferences, as well as the flexibility to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends with some overnights required
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Consistent with its mission, the American Lung Association maintains a smokefree workplace; all employees must abstain from commercial tobacco use in any form, including vaping.

Compensation: Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.  The target hiring range for this position is between $45,500 and $51,500 per annum. 

Benefits: The Lung Association offers a comprehensive benefits package including:  

• Paid Leave - 10 vacation days in the first year (15 days thereafter), 2 personal days and 15 sick days per year, as well as 12 company-paid holidays per year. We also offer Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees.   
• Insurance - Employees (and their eligible dependents) can enroll in our medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as voluntary plans for critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity, short-term disability and supplemental life/AD&D insurance. Employees will be enrolled in company-paid life/AD&D and long-term disability Insurance coverage. 
• Retirement Plan - Eligible employees can participate in our 401(k) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, which offers matching employer contributions (up to 4%) and year-end discretionary non-elective contributions.   

Questions? For more details about this role please reach out to alahr@lung.org. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

The American Lung Association is committed to employ, in its best judgment, the most suitable candidates for approved positions while engaging in recruitment and selection practices that are in compliance with all applicable employment laws. We are an equal opportunity employer: women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. 

Policy Statement 

It is the policy of the American Lung Association to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to their race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or physical and/or mental disabilities, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. The American Lung Association will take affirmative action to employ, advance in employment and otherwise treat all individuals in the foregoing categories without discrimination in all employment practices. This policy applies in all Human Resources actions including recruitment, selection, evaluation, promotion, compensation and training.