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Environmental Health Division Director

University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI

Posted Sep 24, 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

Tell me about a time a lab result was questioned by a client or the public. How did you respond?

What they are checking: Defending data integrity while being transparent about uncertainty.

How do you work with national partners like CDC and APHL?

What they are checking: Experience engaging in national public health laboratory networks.

Tell me about a time you led a team through a big change in lab operations.

What they are checking: Change management with scientific staff.

What would you do

The Department of Natural Resources is your main client. How do you keep that relationship strong when their needs or budgets change?

What they are checking: Client partnership skills with the state agency that funds much of the work.

How would you prepare the division to respond to an emerging contaminant, like PFAS, quickly?

What they are checking: Building method capacity and partnerships before demand peaks.

How do you develop the next generation of lab scientists and supervisors?

What they are checking: Succession planning and staff development.

How would you handle a citizen who calls upset about their well water results?

What they are checking: Communicating with the public clearly and with care.

About the work

How would you lead a division that tests such a wide range of matrices, from water and air to sediment and tissue?

What they are checking: Managing diverse technical programs without being an expert in every one.

How do you maintain laboratory accreditation and quality across many programs?

What they are checking: Quality systems knowledge that keeps results legally defensible.

How do you manage a budget that depends on contracts and fee-for-service work?

What they are checking: Financial leadership in a lab funded by mixed sources.

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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: Limited Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Laboratory Director (C) Job Summary: This position is located in the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) Environmental Health Division (EHD). The Environmental Health Division serves as the testing laboratory for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and other agencies, and in some cases, Wisconsin citizens. Water, wastewater, groundwater, air, sediment, solid wastes and tissue are some of the matrices tested. Analytes include pesticides, nutrients, metals, radionuclides, industrial chemicals, air pollutants, and pathogenic microbes. This position will be responsible for maintaining strong collaborative relationships with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Environmental Health Program, UW-Madison departments, local health departments and other local partners, and national partners, including CDC and APHL. Essential Functions Directs overall operations and administration of the Environmental Health Division (EHD) of the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene. This will include the Environmental Chemistry Program, including Customer Service and Shipping and Receiving, the Environmental Biology Program, the National Atmospheric Disposition Program, and all research projects and initiatives, including some biochemical and biological experimental design. Provides supervisory authority over laboratory program/unit directors. Responsible for working with EHD unit directors to develop and monitor laboratory resources and budgets. Oversees the EHD Quality Manager (QM) and ensures overall quality and safety compliance of all environmental laboratory services in collaboration with the QM and laboratory directors. Serves as the EHD main point of contact for WSLH laboratory administration and operations, and to leadership committee members. Key Job Responsibilities: • Evaluates programs and policies in the laboratory to identify improvements and efficiencies to ensure a high level of service - 20% • Analyzes portfolios and accounts, solicits internal and external opportunities, promotes unit capabilities, and makes recommendations to leadership for strategic enhancements - 15% • Develops and monitors the laboratory budget and reviews and approves expenditures - 5% • Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees - 10% • Leads, develops, and evaluates teaching, training, and outreach activities. May serve on national and public health committees - 10% • Plans staff implementation of protocols and on-going quality review of laboratory services - 20% • Leads overall EHD operations and administration, coordination, and state and federal agency outreach - 20% Department: Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene - Environmental Health Division Compensation: Minimum Salary is $120,000/year · Depending on the experience of a successful candidate, the position will pay according to the salary administration guidelines. · Actual pay is determined at hire and is based on experience and qualifications. · This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see http://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf Required Qualifications: Five (5) years of experience supervising a high-complexity environmental laboratory. 1 year supervising at a management level. Preferred Qualifications: Experience in managing testing and laboratory operations under regulated quality assurance programs. Experience in supervising multiple laboratory areas at the same time. Experience in supervising personnel at a supervisory level. Experience with chemical, biochemical, and biological method development. The Employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position Education: At minimum, Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, or related science field. How to Apply: To begin the application process please click on the "Apply Now" button. You will need to upload the following documents: 1. A current resume. 2. A cover letter that addresses your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and abilities, or a past experience that would support your success in the role. Please note that there is only one attachment field. You must upload all your documents into the one attachment field. Application reviewers will evaluate the materials you submit (your resume and cover letter) to identify qualified applicants who will advance in the recruitment process. Please ensure that your application is complete and submitted by the deadline (“apply by “date at the top of the posting) to be considered for this position. WSLH does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment for this position. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9. The selected applicant will be required to pass a criminal background check prior to an offer of employment. Contact Information: Please contact Kelsey Bailey, kelsey.bailey@slh.wisc.edu with questions. 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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