Job Posting End Date:

Worker Sub-Type:

Casual

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

Looking for a hands‑on summer internship? The Marathon County Health Department is seeking a motivated Environmental Health Intern! You’ll gain experience in the water testing lab, collect beach samples, work on a quality improvement project, and join sanitarians in the field. A great opportunity to explore a future career in environmental health.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This role involves internship-level work, designed to provide hands-on experience and support to the team and includes tasks such as:

Obtaining recreational water samples
Bacteriological and chemical analysis on drinking water and recreational water samples
Various environmental health activities in licensing or human health hazards

The work is performed under the direction of the Environmental Health & Safety Director. This position is available from mid or late May through August at the Marathon County Health Department. The intern will work an average of 30 hours per week. Hours of work will vary but will total no more than 390 hours.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Current enrollment in post-secondary level biology, chemistry, or environmental health coursework. Laboratory experience required.
A valid driver’s license and a driving record that meets County standards.

PUBLIC HEALTH COMPENTENCIES REQUIRED:

Data Analytics and Assessment Skills
- Prepares data for analysis
Policy Development and Program Planning Skills
- Contributes to the development of strategies for implementing policies, programs, and services
- Connects individuals to programs and services
Communication Skills
- Assesses the literacy of internal and external audiences
- Assesses the communication needs and preferences of internal and external audiences
- Communicates with linguistic and cultural proficiency
- Engages in active listening
- Communicates the impact of environmental factors, social factors, and individual actions on health
Health Ethics Skills and Awareness
- Demonstrates principles of ethics and justice in all interactions with individuals, organizations, and communities
- Engages in continuous self-reflection about one’s biases
Community Partnership Skills
- Implements strategies for maintaining relationships that improve community health and resilience
Public Health Sciences Skills
Management and Finance Skills
- Engages in continuous improvement of individual performance
- Fosters a healthy work environment
- Recognizes one’s own professional development needs
- Participates in professional development opportunities
- Determines how data and information can be used in decision making
- Makes evidence informed decisions
- Participates in teams to achieve programs and organizational goals
- Fosters collaboration
Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills
- Describes how governmental public health programs and organizations are structured and function
- Identifies opportunities for creativity and innovation

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

Set up and run procedures:
- Heterotrophic plate counts
- Coliform
- Pseudomonas
- Fluorides
- Total alkalinity
- pH
- Others
Notify team members of unsafe samples
Maintain records and statistics for the health laboratory
Enter data into lab computer database and generate reports; ensure accuracy
Wash glassware and perform routine equipment maintenance
Participate in or lead quality improvement activities as they related to lab or environmental health topics
Participate or conduct inspections, as allowed based on certification
Participate in human health hazard programming and projects
Communicate environmental health information to others within the scope of the position using both oral and written communication skills
Handle routine customer payment transactions
Perform quality control procedures
Ability to keep accurate records
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public
Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive complaints, requests, inquiries, and emergencies
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a laboratory setting with accurate results in a timely manner
Contributes to a positive work culture that fosters excellent customer service and teamwork

COMPENSATION:

Hourly rate of pay: $ 16.50-$17.50. There are no benefits for this temporary position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or provide simple but continuous adjustment on equipment such as multi-line phone, computer, laptop, scanner, printer, calculator, copy machine, fax and other office machines; audio visual equipment; environmental health monitoring equipment; or related materials used in performing essential functions.

Requires the ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet, and limbs in performing coordinated movements requiring moderate skill such as data entry and/or typing.

Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of objects weighing five to ten pounds. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a workstation or keyboard.

Requires the ability to recognize and identify similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, shapes, sounds, and textures associated with job-related objects, materials, and tasks.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

The selection of the successful candidate may be made by assessment of education and work experience, oral interview, review of references, and/or other job-related selection procedures. Depending on position requirements, the selected candidate may be required to satisfactorily complete post-offer assessments, including but not limited to education verification, background checks, driver license verification, physical examination, psychological assessment, and drug screening paid for by the County.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Marathon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status.

Special Accommodations:

Marathon County will make arrangements to furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary and reasonable to afford an individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in the recruitment process. Please notify the Employee Resources Department office or phone (715) 261-1451 to request special accommodations prior to the application deadline.

Notice to Applicants:

Wisconsin Statutes, Sections 19.36 (7), 64.09 (5), and 64.11 (7) require public employers to treat the following items as a public record: Each applicant’s application, records, recommendations, and qualifications except as provided in Section 19.36 (7), Wis. Stats. that allows the identity of an applicant to remain confidential if the applicant requests in writing that the County not provide access to this information. If you choose not to have this information become a public record, you must make such a request in writing to the Employee Resources Department. If you become a finalist for the position, your identity may be disclosed as required by law

County of Marathon

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