Environmental Health Specialist (HHS)
Salary
$31.37 - $41.11 Hourly
Location
Elkhorn, WI
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
2026-00115
Department
Health & Human Services
Division
Public Health
Opening Date
10/01/2026
Closing Date
10/15/2026 11:59 PM Central
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Position Summary
This position provides environmental health services to citizens and protects the health and safety of the public from adverse environmental determinants. The position works to ensure access to safe water, food, air, and preventing or abating human health hazards. The position conducts environmental inspections and evaluations while taking action as established by procedure in programs governed by state and local public health statute or ordinances. This is a field-based role.
SCHEDULE
Division: Public Health
Days: Monday - Friday
Work Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Hours Per Shift: 8
Shifts Per Pay Period: 10
Position FTE: 1.00
Applications are being accepted from current County employees as well as members of the public.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
This job description reflects managements assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Provide on-going assessment of the county's environmental issues to manage and implement the county's environmental health program. Ensure compliance to policies, procedures and ordinances related to the county's public health code and Wisconsin Public Health Statutes including Wisconsin Chapters 251, 252, 254, 95, 163, 145 and NR 810 and 812. Take enforcement actions as established by procedure.
Complete day-to-day operations of the water laboratory, training, certification and scheduling, recordkeeping, and compliance with NR 149 and ATCP 77. Provide troubleshooting and problem solving for laboratory errors as necessary. Participate in annuals updates to the laboratory policies to reflect procedures appropriately and participate in quality review of the laboratory on an ongoing basis.
Maintain compliance with responsibilities as outlined in the Transient Non-Community Water System contract with the DNR including sampling, reporting, record keeping and enforcement.
Work in coordination with communicable disease surveillance program.
Investigate complaints, perform inspections and provide written formal reports of violations, that adhere to applicable code, with consultation for corrective action or enforcement on a variety of environmental health issues including but not limited to human health hazards, rabies, asbestos, lead, radon, vector monitoring and pest control in accordance with established laws, regulations and local ordinances. Follow-up may occur outside of normal business hours with supervisor approval. Issuance of orders or referrals is conducted in accordance to established protocols.
Conduct recreational water monitoring in support of Walworth County Code and WI Chapters 254 and 251
Participate in emergency preparedness training and activities for responding to public health emergencies in conjunction with local, state and federal emergency response teams. Lead discussions on environmental recovery as a part of preparedness exercises.
Develop and coordinate internship experiences for students. Coordinate interactions with area universities to further environmental health research and findings.
With direction, develop and implement expansion of service and quality improvement plans within the environmental health unit on an ongoing basis. Support all other public health programs and initiatives by providing an environmental health viewpoint. Evaluate program performance, manage and interpret environmental data, and coordinate community issues concerning environmental health programs. Participate as directed in other public health initiatives such as community health assessment and improvement, continuous quality improvement, and strategic planning.
Demonstrate commitment to development of skills aligned with the Core Competencies for Public Health staff.
Respond to Public Health emergencies, as needed, including outside regular office hours.
Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health or related degree in physical, chemical or biological sciences or related field with a minimum of one year of related experience (internships considered toward experience). Must have a minimum of 80 hours of laboratory experience, educational experience may qualify. Proven experience in ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals as well as ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Knowledge of Trauma Informed Care Principles is essential.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Valid driver license.
Proof of minimum liability auto insurance coverage.
Access to reliable transportation to all assigned work locations daily.
National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) - Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200 and 700 - within three (3) months of hire.
National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) - Incident Command System (ICS) 300certification required within twelve (12) months of hire.
LHRA or LHI within 12 months of hire
RS/REHS Preferred
Interactions & Communication
Provides specialized information and/or recommendations to others regarding an area of expertise.
Decision Making
This position has authority to make decisions that are consistent with policies and precedents; supervision and managerial direction is available as requested. Responsible for all lab decisions. These decisions directly impact performance at the department wide level and information is provided with additional research and observations which contributes to the decision making process.
Thinking & Problem Solving
In relation to established procedures, protocols and policies of the County, challenges and problems occurring in this position must be addressed within broader, department-wide procedures and practices.
Tools and Equipment Used
Telephone Copy Machine Laboratory Analytical Equipment
Personal Computer/Printer FAX Machine Microscope
Calculator Propane torch
Thermometer Camera
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work environment requires the ability to work in adverse weather conditions and challenging environmental locations. The noise level in the work environment varies.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and distance vision.
Selection Process
TO INCLUDE:
Formal Walworth County Electronic Application
Education & Experience Review
Verification of Driver License
Oral Department Interview
Reference Check
Background Check
Post Offer Physical Exam
Drug Screen
Other job related tests may be required.
WALWORTH COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SUMMARY
E - Human Service Professional Employees
BARGAINING UNIT: Human Service Professional Employees Hired on or after January 1, 2012
DATE: January 1, 2019
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: All employees of Walworth County are at-will employees.
BASIS OF PAYMENT: You are paid for actual hours worked plus pay for any accrued benefit time for which you are eligible. You are eligible for overtime or compensatory time in accordance with provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
SCHEDULED TIME OFF: Accrued based on straight-time hours paid each pay period. All accrued scheduled time off hours are available for use, subject to approval of your supervisor. As a full-time employee you earn scheduled time off equivalent to the following:
10 days per year after 1 year of Walworth County Service
15 days per year after 5 years of Walworth County Service
20 days per year after 15 years of Walworth County Service
PERSONAL TIME OFF: Employees will receive 64 hours of personal time off as a lump sum at the beginning of each year (pro-rated for pt and newly-hired employees). At the end of each calendar year, an employee may request to move remaining personal time off hours to the extended sick leave bank. If no request is made, any remaining hours shall be paid out on the employees last pay date of the calendar year.
EXTENDED SICK LEAVE BANK: Used for time off of work for more serious health conditions that require three or more consecutive days off or when on an approved leave of absence.
HOLIDAYS: Ten paid holidays each year. A p-t employee would receive pro-rated holiday pay based on positions budgeted FTE.
INSURANCE: Employees hired into a .75 FTE or higher position are eligible for Health, Dental, Life, Vision, Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability insurance benefits on the first of the month following 30 days of service provided you complete enrollment forms within 30 days of hire. Employees hired into a .50 FTE or higher position are eligible for all benefits listed below except Health insurance. Employees hired into a .49 FTE or less position are eligible to participate in Short-Term Disability only.
Health Insurance: You can choose Tier 1 or Tier 2. Tier 1 is a standard co-pay plan. Tier 2 is a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). The County will contribute an amount approved by the County Board, payable as a lump sum to your HSA for Tier 2. You may also elect to contribute to your HSA up to the IRS maximum. You may elect either family or single coverage. The monthly premium will be split between the County and the employee.
Dental Insurance: You may elect either family or single coverage. The county shall pay 100% (single or family) of the premium for a full-time and 50% (single or family) of the premium for a part-time employee enrolled in dental insurance.
Life Insurance: The County provides you with term life insurance in an amount equal to $25,000. You have the option of purchasing additional coverage for yourself, spouse and/or dependent children.
Short-Term Disability Insurance: The County provides you with Short-Term Disability Insurance with premiums paid by the employer.
LTD Insurance: The County provides you with Long Term Disability Insurance. The monthly premium is 0.83% of your insured monthly wages. The County shall pay 67% of the premium & the employee shall pay 33% of the premium.
Vision Insurance: You may elect to participate in Vision insurance. The employee electing coverage shall pay 100% (single or family) of the premium for vision insurance.
WISCONSIN RETIREMENT: You are covered under the Wisconsin Retirement System if you are expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours per year for a period of one year or more. The WRS provides you with separation, disability or retirement benefits upon termination. The payment is split between the county and employee, as prescribed by state law. Employees expected to work less than 1200 hours per year will not receive this benefit.
TAX-SHELTERED BENEFITS: You may elect to participate in the following tax-sheltered benefits:
Deferred Compensation (S457 plan)
Medical Spending Account (S125 plan)
Dependent Care Plan (S125 plan)
Health Savings Account (S223 plan)
WORKERS COMPENSATION: You are covered by Workers Compensation for any illness or injury arising out of your employment. Medical expenses and compensation for lost time are paid from the workers compensation plan. In addition, the County will supplement the workers compensation lost-time payment for up to 1 year, making you whole on a "net-check" basis.
DIRECT DEPOSIT: You are required to participate in direct deposit of your paycheck to a banking institution of your choice.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: You and your family are encouraged to use the Employee Assistance Program for help in addressing confidential family and financial matters. EAP services are provided through Curalinc. Please call 888-881-5462 for help.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: You will receive pay for up to 3 days for the purpose of bereavement over the death of your spouse, child, step-child, parent, step-parent, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, or other member of the immediate household (excluding renters).
You will receive up to 1 day of pay for the death of your brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew.
JURY DUTY: Your regular wages will be made-whole for any time you are required to serve on jury duty.
MILITARY LEAVE: Your regular wages will be made-whole for up to two weeks for you to meet your annual two-week reserve duty obligation. Extended military leaves are provided in accordance with state and federal laws.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE: You are required to request a leave of absence in writing and a minimum of 15 calendar days prior to your expected absence. All leaves are subject to approval of the Human Resources Department and are at the discretion of the Countys representative, except as otherwise required by law. Under emergency situations, the leave papers must be submitted within 5 days after the absence begins.
Periods of absence less than 5 days may be approved by your department head.
Note: This Summary provides only a brief outline of your benefits. All benefit terms and conditions are subject to the specific provisions of plan documents, policies, and/or legal rules and regulations. These benefits are subject to change from time to time by action of the County Board and/or Human Resources Committee.
01
Do you have a valid drivers license?
02
Please indicate below your highest level of education completed.
03
Please indicate what area your degree is in.
04
Please briefly detail your relevant prior experience, including number of years.
05
Please indicate how many hours of laboratory experience you have.
Required Question
Employer Walworth County
Address P.O. Box 1001
100 W. Walworth Street
Elkhorn, Wisconsin, 53121
Phone 262-741-7950
Website http://www.co.walworth.wi.us
| Location | Elkhorn, WI |
| Salary | $31.37–$41.11 Per Hour |
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