Community Engagement Worker - Tobacco & Vaping

Based at:                 Various sites and community venues across Cheshire West.

Hours of work:        37 hours per week open to job share at 18.5hrs per week

                                (for the right candidates) 

Contract Type:        12 months fixed term until April 2025  

Salary:                    £29,269 per annum

Closing date:          Monday 6th May 2024

Interview date:      Proposed date of Tuesday 14th May 2024     

JOB PURPOSE: 

We have an ambitious new strategy that we’re launching in April 2024 – and we want you to be part of it!

Previous experience in a smoking cessation role is not essential as full training and support will be provided. At Brio we believe everything is teachable; all we ask is that you can work independently, are a team player and eager to learn.  No two days are the same and we treat every person who comes into our program as an individual; so being flexible, curious and a good communicator are key to finding success within this role.

You will have a flair for working with people, marketing/communications and engaging with diverse audiences. It will also be beneficial if you have experience in, or have had exposure to, the development and delivery of community based programmes.

As a Community Outreach Worker focusing on Tobacco and Vaping, you will play a crucial role in promoting our public health initiatives throughout the Cheshire West and Chester footprint. Your primary responsibility will be to develop and implement outreach initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the risks and benefits associated with smoking and vaping. You will work closely with community members, workplaces, schools, healthcare providers, and local organisations to create educational programs and resources that empower individuals to make informed decisions regarding tobacco and vaping use.

You’ll have creative rein over the development of our programmes. As the main coordinator of this element of our delivery, you will manage the administrative and clerical work of the programme. You’ll have to record information about the interventions you deliver too, so enjoying a bit of electronic paperwork and attention to detail is important.

The stop smoking scene is ever changing, with government initiatives and local pilot schemes at our fingertips, you’ll also need to take a keen interest in your own learning and development, scoping opportunities to further your expertise, keeping up to date with the latest Tobacco Control trends once you’re an established practitioner.

By working with us, you are entitled to-

• Free gym membership for the duration of your contract.
• 24hr Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.
• A friendly and supportive team.
• Training and career development.

Our values are to invest in people, be inclusive, supportive, innovative and act with integrity. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Brio is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. If you have any questions relating to this opportunity you can contact the hiring manager directly on ruth.armstrong@brioleisure.org 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES (but not limited to):

Operational 

Community engagement responsibilities

Build and maintain relationships with community partners, schools, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to enhance awareness on national and local tobacco and vaping education initiatives.

To build and maintain good working relationships with community staff and organisations and develop new pathways and processes.

Organise and participate in community events, workshops, and presentations to disseminate information on the dangers of smoking and vaping.

Collect and analyse data on the prevalence of smoking and vaping within the community.

To follow-up clients referred/signposted in line with the service specification to assess progress, identify any problems and determine if further support is needed. 

To arrange and attend a range of meetings, conferences, workshops and outreach events as required, relating to smoking cessation and/or vaping representing Brio Leisure. 

Develop and maintain knowledge of national, regional and local health initiatives, promoting early intervention and preventative initiatives throughout the Borough. 

Advocate for evidence-based policies and regulations aimed at reducing smoking within the community and vaping prevalence amongst under 18’s.

Stay informed about local, regional and national tobacco control policies and participate in relevant advocacy efforts.

Design and collate community surveys to review community needs and feedback for delivery of our programmes.  

Prepare regular reports on the effectiveness of outreach programs and make recommendations for improvements.

Provide contingency for stop smoking practitioners via telephone or directly in the community.

Training responsibilities 

Working with the Smoking Cessation Lead to design and implement educational programs tailored to diverse audiences, including youth, parents, and specific at-risk populations.

Research and stay informed about current trends, health studies, and legislative changes related to smoking and vaping.

Identify training needs within an organisation through consultation to understand their training and engagement requirements.

Deliver Smoking Cessation training programs (outsourced and/or in-house) and actively feed into their continued development.  

Create and distribute educational materials, toolkits and multimedia content to support awareness campaigns like Stoptober, No Smoking Day and New Years Health Harms which are aligned with targeted demographic needs and evidence base.

Conduct evaluations and feedback to identify areas of improvement.

Market available training courses to organisations and provide necessary information about sessions. 

Finance and Administration 

Work within the allocated budgets and assist the service lead in providing information to ensure that targets and performance indicators are met.

To ensure all data is processed in a secure and confidential manner. 

Provide true, detailed and accurate accounts of interventions including providing accurate records of pharmaceuticals administered.  

Complete appropriate onward referrals to external organisations with the relevant information required.

Provide feedback to referrers relating to complex individuals who may need a multi-disciplinary approach.

Health and Safety 

Ensure all pharmacotherapy, outreach equipment and fittings associated with the role remains secure and appropriately temperature controlled at all times.

Ensure all relevant Health and Safety requirements are met when delivering projects in the community and that risk assessments are in place for all activity delivered. 

Other 

To carry out any other relevant duties as required, within the scope of the post. 

To actively engage with the wider developments of Brio with a keen interest of personal development.

Ability and willingness to travel across the Cheshire West patch to attend meetings, cover clinics and any other duties within the organisational need.

The nature of the work may involve the jobholder carrying out work outside of normal working hours from time to time. 

To apply for the above post, please complete an online application form via the careers page on our website www.brioleisure.org

IMPORTANT - Invitations to interview are sent to the email address provided on your application form. Please ensure that you check your email account regularly. 

Please note it is not always possible to contact unsuccessful candidates individually; therefore, if you have not heard anything within 6 weeks of your application, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.