
Posting number: 3901-26-PH-HW-033-EST
Department: Health and Human Services - Central Office
Job classification: Departmental Specialist 13
Posting type: Open
Categories: Health Services, Professional, Miscellaneous, Human Services
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services mission is to provide opportunities, services, and programs that promote a healthy, safe, and stable environment for residents to be self-sufficient. We are committed to ensuring a diverse workforce and a work environment whereby all employees are treated with dignity, respect and fairness. For more information, please visit MDHHS Diversity Equity and Inclusion.
The Tobacco Health Strategy and Policy Specialist for the Tobacco Section is the sole source of policy expertise in the Tobacco Section. The tobacco health strategy and policy specialist is responsible for all duties related to policy for the tobacco control program, which is highly political, and is responsible for numerous bill analysis annually. This position supports the Smoke Free Air Law enforcement program the Tobacco Section is legally mandated to provide. The Smoke Free Air Law enforcement program receives considerable annual political focus and receives numerous legislative inquiries and FOIA requests annually and bills introduced. A comprehensive tobacco control program must include specialized policy efforts at the local, state and national level to be successful in reducing tobacco use rates. This specialized policy role is critical to the Tobacco Section’s success in reducing tobacco use rates.
This position tracks tobacco-related bills, budget introductions, and policies at the local, state and national level. This position develops summaries of bill updates, budgets, policy work and creates bill analysis working closely with MDHHS Legislative Affairs and Legal Services. This position supports funded and unfunded coalitions and local organizations in their policy strategies. This policy specialist position supports the Michigan Indoor Smoke Free Air Law program in the Tobacco Section related to legislative and executive inquiries, bill analysis, and completing required statutory requirements.
As the tobacco policy specialist, this position leads policy work that is critical in a comprehensive tobacco control program. This includes providing direct policy tasks, coordinating and collaborating with community coalitions working on state and local policies, collaborating with national partners working toward policy change, supporting tobacco section staff on policy strategies and policy technical assistance local partners may need. This specialist provides contract oversight and technical assistance to community contracts that address strategic policy objectives. The National and State Tobacco Control grant through the CDC has significant required policy activities as part of a comprehensive tobacco control program that this position is responsible.
The Tobacco Section utilizes a community driven approach and requires all staff to partner and collaborate with community members who are the experts in their community. This position must utilize a framework in the development and implementation of partner relationships that allows partners to identify their community needs and desired methods to address them including programs, strategies, and training to ensure we are working collaboratively and successfully to reduce high tobacco use and prevent tobacco use. As requested, we provide technical assistance, data, and suggestions to help community partners achieve their goals.
Failure to complete any of the above items may result in your application not being considered. See instructions for attaching files here: Instructions
Possession of a bachelor’s degree in any major
Preferred: Bachelor's or master's degree in health policy, public policy, political science, public administration and policy, or public health policy.
Four years of professional experience, including two years equivalent to the experienced (P11) level or one year equivalent to the advanced (12) level.
Preferred: Experience in tobacco-related policy issues at the state and local level, experience with legislative processes, experience or familiarity with bills and bill analysis, and/or experience working with community organizations or members.
The physical location of this position is the Elliott-Larsen Building, at 320 S. Walnut Street, Lansing, MI. Based on operational needs and within established limits, remote work and alternate or hybrid work schedule requests for this position may be considered.
Selected candidates who have been approved to work remotely or a hybrid schedule must complete that work within Michigan. Candidates should confirm work location and schedule at the time of interview.
Employees will be provided computers to perform state work. Phones may also be provided for necessary communications. If working remotely, employees will be responsible for providing other components of a remote office at their own expense, including:
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) software of any kind is prohibited in all areas of the selection process; including, but not limited to, responses to application questions, and responses to interview questions or exercises.
YOUR APPLICATION FOR ANY POSITION DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE DEPARTMENT/AGENCY FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION. ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS INTERVIEWED WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE RESULTS.
The department reserves the right to close this posting prior to its original end date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
If you previously held status in this classification and departed within the last three (3) years, please contact Human Resources regarding your interest in a potential reinstatement. Reinstatement is not guaranteed or required.
For information about this specific position, please email MDHHSVacancies@michigan.gov. Please reference the job posting number in subject line.
Follow us on LinkedIn for more job opportunities!
#MDHHSjobs #Veteranfriendly #Careerswithpurpose #CommunityHeroes
Image of a gold emblem identifying that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is recognized as Michigan Veteran's Affairs Agency (MVAA) gold level veteran friendly employer.
MDHHS is proud to be a Michigan Veteran’s Affairs Agency (MVAA) Gold Level Veteran-Friendly Employer.

Every day the contributions and achievements of State of Michigan employees have a direct impact on over 10 million Michiganders across the state. If you're looking for a fulfilling career in state government that can make a real difference in the lives of others, you can find your place working with us. We have opportunities in a number of career pathways, including, but not limited to, business and administrative support, education and human services, IT and computers, medical and healthcare, natural resources, law enforcement and public safety, skilled trades and more.
Join our team for an:
- Opportunity to make a difference
- Challenging and rewarding work
- Competitive salaries
- Fun working environment
- Great benefits (community service, vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, paid parental leave, longevity bonuses)
- Job stability and career advancement
- Flexible alternative and remote work schedules
- Tuition discounts and student loan forgiveness
- Professional development/training
- Employee discount plan
With positions in over 18 state departments, your perfect career fit is waiting for you at the State of Michigan.
From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless in Pure Michigan. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan’s affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.
Ready to join our team? Visit www.Michigan.gov/Employment to search hundreds of state job openings by key word, job type, location, department, job category, salary and more.
The State of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We aim to recruit, hire, develop, and retain a diverse and high performing workforce. Our diversity helps drive our creative and effective problem solving, mutual respect, teamwork, and effective communication with the people we serve.
Follow us on social media at www.Michigan.gov/SocialMedia and search hashtag #MiGovJobs for updates from state agencies.