ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COORDINATOR

The City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) seeks an Environmental Health Coordinator to join a team of dedicated professionals who facilitate programs and services that are critical to the health and well-being of Milwaukee’s children and their families.  

The Milwaukee Health Department Home Environmental Health (HEH) Division provides lead poison prevention programming and services to lead poisoned and lead exposed children.  HEH provides environmental investigation and nursing case management services for children with elevated lead blood lead levels in order to support their healthy recovery.  In some cases, HEH is able to facilitate federal funding for the lead abatement of homes that contain lead hazards.    

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.    

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big-city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed old world charm with a breathtaking Art Museum, top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities and great restaurants.

As part of the MHD’s environmental health management team, the Environmental Health Coordinator (EHC) provides day-to-day oversite to assure that work performed by inspectors and administrative staff meets departmental, state and national standards.

Oversite

• Participate in the training and supervision of staff.
• Develop and oversee all work processes and functions to ensure effective and efficient operation of environmental health programs, including quality control and assurance of investigations, assessments, and enforcement orders.
• Evaluate, refine, and implement changes in field protocols to increase efficiency and effectiveness; ensure compliance with City ordinances, and state and federal program standards.
• Evaluate staff performance in both the quantity and quality of work; provide evaluation of performance standards for advancement.
• Formulate and recommend City policies, ordinances, resolutions, and legislative positions related to environmental issues that may impact economic development, resident health and quality of life.
• Monitor national and state regulatory practices; align programmatic activities with identified best practices.
• Prepare appropriate program summaries, project updates, special reports, technical papers, grant applications, grant reports and other documents to support the division; prepare annual reports and required assessments as delineated in municipal and state codes.  

Environmental Investigation and Monitoring

• Oversee or conduct lead risk assessments of houses, childcare centers and other dwellings to determine lead content of painted surfaces including the collection of soil and dust wipe samples and sampling using an XRF lead analyzer according to Housing and Urban Development procedures; document inspection results.
• Oversee or conduct drinking water sampling in private homes and other places as part of a lead poisoning or exposure investigation.
• Complete a standard informational questionnaire with residents (parents, guardians, and day care owner/operator) to assist in determining lead source.
• Monitor lead abatement projects when abatement work is ongoing to ensure contractor work is being performed in a lead safe manner. 
• Enforce code compliance on abatement projects.
• Oversee or conduct clearance dust wipe samples of dwellings after abatement has been completed; prepare related reports. 
• Review orders to abate lead hazards and when property owners fail to comply issues citations; provide expert witness testimony for prosecution as necessary.
• Conduct routine and/or required inspections and/or audits to ensure compliance with existing local and state public health and environmental codes, regulations and policies.
• Investigate complaints regarding environmental health problems and environmental health hazards and initiate enforcement or corrective actions.
• Oversee or collect environmental samples for laboratory analysis to ensure compliance with existing local and state public health and environmental codes, regulations, and policies. Respond to public complaints and inquiries regarding environmental or public health matters.
• Participate in response teams to prevent, minimize, and contain adverse health events and conditions resulting from communicable diseases; food-, water-, and vector-borne outbreaks; chronic diseases; environmental hazards; injuries; and health disparities.    

Data Reporting and Analysis

• Perform data collection, research, analysis, and interpretation related to environmental and communicable disease epidemiology and adverse exposures within the community; develop statistical analysis summaries, tables and reports.
• Prepare scientific and technical reports, summaries, and correspondence that are complete, clear, and understandable to the public and other private and public agencies.
• Prepare and maintain various records, reports, correspondence and other departmental documents, including draft notices, hearing and court letters, mileage reports, time sheets, inspection reports, and related documentation.  

Education and Outreach

• Collaborate in the development and delivery of programs and activities that promote health and prevent disease.
• Develop relationships with community-based organizations and healthcare providers to increase the public health system response to lead poisoning and healthy homes issues.
• Assist in the development, maintenance and upkeep of all divisional educational and outreach materials, including the HEH division website and related social media content.
• Coordinate program related outreach activities and provide staffing for community outreach events.
• Field program related questions from parents, clients and program participants.
• Serve as the point of contact for open records and medical records requests.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of the lead strategic plan and support of the lead taskforce. Manage relationships with community outreach subcontractors.  

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

• This is a first-shift position, working standard hours 8:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday; however, the Environmental Health Coordinator may be required to work occasionally on evenings or weekends to meet departmental needs.
• May be required to carry a mobile device during business hours.
• Must pass a TB skin test annually.
• Travel outside the City of Milwaukee for job related training, presentations and conferences; occasional overnight travel may be required.
• While performing the duties of this job, employees may be exposed to infectious agents or toxins.
• Duties may also include performing tasks related to the public health response to COVID-19.

1.    Bachelor’s degree in environmental health, public health, community health, chemistry, biology, physical science or related field from an accredited college or university.

2.    One year of experience performing environmental health remediation or equivalent duties closely related to the essential functions of this position.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered.

3.    Certification as a Lead Risk Assessor with the State of Wisconsin within three months of appointment and throughout employment. (Training for certification will be provided by the City).

a.    For information about the State of Wisconsin Lead Risk Assessor certification go to: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/regulations/lead/risk-assessor.htm

4.    Certification as a Lead Abatement Supervisor with the State of Wisconsin within three months of appointment and throughout employment. (Training for certification will be provided by the City).

a.    For information about the State of Wisconsin Lead Abatement Supervisor certification go to: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/regulations/lead/supervisor.htm

5.    Certification as a Registered Sanitarian or Registered Environmental Health Specialist within twelve months of appointment and throughout employment.

a.    For information about the State of Wisconsin Registered Sanitarian certification go to: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/RegisteredSanitarian/Default.aspx

b.    For information about the Registered Environmental Health Specialist certification go to: https://www.neha.org/professional-development/credentials/rehsrs-credential

6.    Valid driver's license and access to a properly insured vehicle at time of appointment and throughout employment. Mileage reimbursement is provided, pursuant to Section 350-183 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: To receive credit for college coursework, transcripts are required and must be received by the application period closing date. College transcripts should be attached to your online application. Applications without transcripts attached will be considered incomplete and will be rejected.  Your transcript must be legible and include the following information:  the university or college name, your name, the degree completed (if applicable) and the date the degree was completed.  Student copies are acceptable.  

• Certification as a Registered Sanitarian or Registered Environmental Health Specialist.
• Certification as a Lead Risk Assessor or a Lead Abatement Supervisor.

Technical

• Knowledge of public health and safety principles and practices. 
• Knowledge of program coordination principles, including outcome assessment.
• Knowledge of program coordination tasks, contract or grant utilization, outcome measurement and quality assurance.
• Ability to promote wellness and disease prevention.
• Ability to engage in ongoing professional development activities.
• Ability to read and interpret program specific materials, policies and regulations.
• Ability to monitor staff work activities, assign duties, outline work methods, direct work in progress and check or inspect completed work.  
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts and to apply concepts such as probability, statistical inference, fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to determine cost/benefits of programs and to measure outcomes.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Knowledge of computer applications and software such as Excel, Word, Power Point and Outlook.
• Ability to utilize public health related data systems and data collection tools.  

Communication, Interpersonal and Customer Focus

• Effective verbal communication skills, including the ability to present information and to respond to questions from groups of managers, community partners, staff, clients, and the public.
• Written communication skills required to write reports, grants, contracts, business correspondence, procedure manuals and program related materials.
• Customer focused skills and the ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary staff, the public, media, city officials and other outside agencies.
• Ability to work cooperatively and fairly with people whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
• Ability to tactfully interact with diverse groups of people including other employees and the public.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.   

Judgement and Responsibility

• Judgment and decision-making skills; ability to recognize problems and employ creative problem solving.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work with integrity.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, organize and complete work; ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively under stress.
• Ability to work under statutory and office deadlines.

The current salary range (2FN) is $59,450-$67,616 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $61,234-$69,644 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.  

BENEFITS  

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: education and experience evaluation; written, oral, or performance tests, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to oral and performance examinations. Oral examinations may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The examination will be held as soon as practical after Monday, July 26, 2021. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice.  However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative test administration. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• APPLICATION and further information may be accessed by visiting https://www.jobapscloud.com/MIL/.
• Applications and transcripts should be submitted no later than the deadline listed above.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

EEO = 206

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.