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Environmental Health and Safety Specialist II

University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 23, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

This role involves frequent travel across the state with overnight stays. How do you feel about that?

What they are checking: Realistic acceptance of a travel-heavy job.

How do you keep your work organized and your reports accurate when you're on the road?

What they are checking: Documentation discipline in remote fieldwork.

Tell me about a time you learned a technical skill quickly with help from a mentor.

What they are checking: Openness to the training and peer mentorship the program provides.

What would you do

How do you explain lead hazards to a family whose child has an elevated blood lead level?

What they are checking: Clear, calm communication that helps families act without panic.

A landlord is uncooperative about repairs after your findings. What do you do?

What they are checking: Knowing your role and the right channels for enforcement.

How would you build trust with families who are wary of government visitors in their home?

What they are checking: Respect and cultural awareness that make home visits work.

About the work

Walk me through how you would conduct an environmental lead investigation in an older home.

What they are checking: Knowing the steps from visual inspection to sampling to a written report.

Are you certified as a Lead Risk Assessor, or what would it take for you to become one?

What they are checking: Credentials the posting prefers and willingness to earn them.

What are the most common lead sources you'd look for in a Wisconsin home built before 1978?

What they are checking: Practical knowledge of paint, dust, soil and water sources.

How do you protect yourself from exposure during an investigation?

What they are checking: Personal safety practices in occupational health.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Job Category: Academic Staff Employment Type: Terminal (Fixed Term) Job Profile: Environmental Health & Safety Specialist II Job Summary: This is an Environmental Health Specialist position with the Wisconsin Lead-Safe Homes Program (LSHP), housed within the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), and performing duties under the general supervision of the Grants Manager. The Department of Population Health Sciences at UW Madison's School of Medicine partners with Wisconsin DHS on this hire. This professional-level position is focused on providing a broad range of on-site lead safety and health related expertise and conducting environmental lead investigations for families throughout Wisconsin. Frequent travel throughout the state, with some overnight stays, should be anticipated. Certification and/or experience as a Lead Risk Assessor is preferred. LSHP is an outstanding place to establish and grow a new professional's occupational safety and health career. Team members are provided with extensive training, assistance, and peer-mentorship throughout their employment with LSHP. • It is anticipated that this position will be remote and requires work be performed at an offsite, non-campus work location. No out of state remote work (candidates should be located in WI). • Terminal, 24 month appointment • This position has the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding. • Must provide a valid driver's license. Employees may use their own transportation or receive approval for University Car Fleet usage. Employment is conditional pending the results of a Pre-hire Driver Authorization Check. See https://businessservices.wisc.edu/managing-risk/driver-authorization-and-insurance/driver-authorization/#become-authorized-driver (click on “Become an authorized driver;” then click on “Required criteria”). ​ ​Candidates who demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities will be given first consideration: • Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences (such as local health staff, property owners, housing inspectors, contractors and the general public); • Ability to become certified as a lead risk assessor; • Knowledge or experience in construction, building trades, or housing inspection; Candidates must be able to: • Ability to lift at least 25 pounds in and out of a vehicle trunk, from the floor to counter height, and to carry from one place to another; • Ability to climb steps and ladders unassisted, walk around construction, abatement and renovation sites with limited or difficult access because of work in progress, and work on knees when taking dust or other types of environmental samples. Key Job Responsibilities: Conduct activities related to DPH-enrolled LSHP properties and CLPPP priority properties; such as, conduct lead risk assessments, develop/review lead abatement scope of work, evaluate lead abatement project costs, and conduct clearances investigations. • Identifies operational and safety issues and develops improvement plans and standard operating procedures • Reviews industry updates and may assist in developing safety communication materials based on industry changes • Communicates findings to necessary stakeholders • Secures resources and schedules logistics for a safety program • Provides knowledge and guidance to internal and external stakeholders including leadership, in a specialized area of safety such biosafety, chemical, hazardous materials, agriculture, lake, radiation, and Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) • Directs logistical activities, allocates resources and investigates components of specific health and safety cases Department: School of Medicine and Public Health, Population Health Sciences, Lead-Safe Homes Program Compensation: The starting salary for the position is $56,000 annually; but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage. SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026 Required Qualifications: • Willing to frequently travel state-wide within WI with occasional overnight stays. Training requirements may require out of state travel for up to one week; • A minimum of 1 year of relevant experience related to construction, housing program, working with health departments, inspection, or investigation work; Preferred Qualifications: • Current certification as a lead risk assessor; • Proficiency in lead hazard investigation and a thorough knowledge of lead hazard remediation techniques, data utilization, and report writing; • Skill in outreach and consultation techniques and ability to work with a variety of professional groups and individuals. • Candidate has no DHS enforcements related to lead or risk assessments in the DHS Lead and Asbestos state compliance database, per state statutes Education: Bachelor's degree in environmental health, construction, or related field preferred How to Apply: For the best experience completing your application, we recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your web browser. To apply for this position, select either “I am a current employee” or “I am not a current employee” under Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials. Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area. • Cover letter required • Resume required Your cover letter should address how your training and experience aligns with the required and preferred qualifications listed above. Application reviewers will rely on these written materials to determine which applicants move forward in the process. References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified once the search concludes and a candidate is selected University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship and TN visas. The selected applicant will be responsible for ensuring their continuous eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. This position is an ongoing position that will require continuous work eligibility. If you are selected for this position, you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work. Contact Information: Brittany Brown, brittany.brown@wisc.edu , 608-265-2978 Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information. Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website . To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you. Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department .

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