ENVIRONMENTAL AND DISEASE CONTROL SPECIALIST

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.   

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.

The Environmental and Disease Control Specialist assigned to the Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Health (EPEH) Unit of the Disease Control and Environmental Health Services Division performs epidemiological investigations and surveillance associated with potentially adverse environmental and communicable disease exposures within the community.

Technical

• Conduct investigations, research, and provide consultation related to complaints or concerns of adverse environmental exposure associated with the areas of Occupational Health; Hazardous Materials Release; Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality; Environmental Audits and Assessments; Surface and Drinking Water Quality Assurance and Vector-borne, Waterborne or Enteric Illnesses.
• Perform data collection, research, analysis and interpretation related to environmental chemical exposures and communicable disease occurrences.
• Develop statistical and other analytical summaries, including tables and reports based on investigational findings. 
• Participate in public health planning and response to emergency events, including incidents of chemical and biological terrorism, hazardous materials spills/releases, extreme heat/cold or other extreme weather events, and communicable disease outbreaks.
• Prepare scientific and technical reports, summaries, and correspondences that are complete, clear, and understandable to technical and non-technical readers.
• Conduct ongoing review and analysis of local, state and federal environmental, health and safety regulations.
• Stay abreast of innovations and best practices in environmental and communicable disease control, assessment, surveillance and prevention.

Collaboration and Training

• Attend meetings, serve on workgroups and committees and conduct presentations related to environmental and communicable disease control prevention programs.
• Conduct didactic and field training activities on the substance and enforcement of local, state and federal regulations; conduct literature research and develop informational summaries on a range of environmental health and communicable disease issues.
• Provide direction and consultation to Milwaukee Health Department Safety Committee, steering the formulation of policies and protocols for occupational safety/compliance within the department.
• Provide consultation and guidance to other MHD divisions and City departments on workplace health and safety concerns and regulatory mandates such as environmental reporting, trainings and documentation.
• Participate in workgroups, consortiums, and committees with other public and private agencies, governmental entities, professional and community organizations to conduct investigations, advance best practice, and steer committees or work groups promoting health and safety.  

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.

• Individuals who complete an application for general City employment on or after September 1, 2021 and are subsequently appointed to a position must provide proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19 (i.e., received both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) or have an approved religious or medical accommodation within ten business days of their employment start date.
• Carry a mobile device during business hours.
• Work outdoors in all weather conditions as well as to work in environments that may involve exposure to fumes, odors, dust, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.
• Must wear industry related personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, facemask, face shield, and/or filtering face piece respirator such as N-95 requiring an annual fit test.  
• Ability to negotiate stairs, work in and around cramped spaces, and stoop and bend.
• Must be able to transfer objects weighing at least 50 pounds.
• Must be willing to occasionally work outside of standard business hours (evenings and weekends) as required by the needs of the department.
• Travel outside the City of Milwaukee for job related trainings, presentations and conferences; occasional overnight travel may be required. 
• May be exposed to infectious agents or toxins while performing the duties of this job.
• Required pre-employment vaccines include:
  • TB Test (at time of hire and annually through-out employment)
  • MMR Vaccine
  • Hep B Vaccine
  • Varicella Vaccine
• Required pre-employment test include:
  • Physical Exam
  • Vision Exam
  • Audiogram
  • Drug Screen - non-DOT

1. Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry, biology, physical or natural sciences, public/environmental health or related field from an accredited college or university.
2. One year of professional experience in disease control, environmental consultation, spill mitigation, or industrial hygiene performing duties that closely relate to the essential functions listed above.
3. Certified Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) OR certified Registered Sanitarian (RS) by State of Wisconsin within six months of appointment and throughout employment. For information regarding the REHS/RS certification with NEHA visit: https://www.neha.org/professional-development/credentials For information regarding the RS certification with the State of Wisconsin visit: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/RegisteredSanitarian/Default.aspx
4. Valid driver's license and access to a properly insured vehicle at time of appointment and throughout employment (mileage reimbursement provided pursuant to Section 350-183 of the Milwaukee Code).     

IMPORTANT NOTE: To receive credit for college, 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.

• Master’s Degree in chemistry, biology, physical or natural sciences, public/environmental health or related field from an accredited college or university.

Technical  

• Knowledge of environmental and disease control principles.
• Knowledge of community health strategies related to case management and epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory public health services.
• Ability to assess risks involved in environmental contaminant releases and exposures, based on previous knowledge, and assimilation of new knowledge from literature searches, and conversations with subject matter experts.
• Ability to initiate and conduct environmental and disease control consultations, investigations, assessments and interventions.
• Ability to conduct data collection and analysis to create, initiate and report upon actionable solutions.
• Ability to develop and present programming and trainings related to topics involving environmental health, safety and risk, and emergency preparedness.
• Proficiency in mathematics and the ability to make accurate calculations to make informed job-related decisions and maintain accurate program statistics.
• Ability to learn and apply local, state and federal laws related to occupational health, the environment and disease control.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret scientific and technical journals and memoranda, emergency response plans, and legal documents.  

Communication and Interpersonal  

• Effective oral communications skills, including the ability to present technical data and findings in a concise and clear manner before various audiences.
• Effective written communication skills, including the ability to credibly write reports, business correspondence, emails, and procedural or training manuals so they can be understood by individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Customer service focus to manage difficult or emotional customer interactions and to respond professionally to inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with job-related workgroups, committees, community organizations, agencies and partners.
• Ability to practice active listening by giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, and asking questions as appropriate.
• Ability to work cooperatively and fairly with people whose backgrounds may differ from ones’ own.  

Professional Development and Judgement  

• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work to achieve objectives within deadlines.
• Proficiency in project management skills required to manage caseloads in various stages of completion.
• Ability to pursue training and development opportunities and strive to continuously build knowledge and skills.
• Ability to resolve conflict while listening to others and keeping emotions under control.
• Ability to remain objective and open to others' views and contribute to building a positive team spirit.
• Ability to make sound and accurate judgments and support and explain reasoning for decisions.
• Ability to demonstrate accuracy, thoroughness and organization to complete tasks efficiently.

The current salary range (Pay Range 2DN) is $47,584-59,498 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $49,011-$61,283 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 1
• 1 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 and the Milwaukee Health Department reserve 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 Wednesday, October 20, 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.

• APPLICATIONS 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.