Salary

$28.36 - $37.28 Hourly

Location

Elkhorn, WI

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

2026-00142

Department

Health & Human Services

Division

Public Health

Opening Date

01/05/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

Description
Benefits
Questions

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Position Summary

The Public Health Specialist-Substance Use & Communications is responsible for assessing and strengthening prevention and public health messaging, and the planning, organization, and administration of substance use prevention programming. This position serves as a health resource specializing in all forms of communications and marketing strategy, substance use prevention,, and partnership development. This position will lead a proactive communications and branding strategy to further strengthen the Division of Public Health’s mission of improving health in Walworth County. Additionally, this position works with communities and stakeholders on substance use prevention programming for youth and adults.

SCHEDULE

Division: Public Health

Days: Monday - Friday

Work Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Hours Per Shift: 8

Shifts Per Pay Period: 10

Position FTE: 1.00

Applications are being accepted from current County employees as well as members of the public.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Develop communications plans based on best practice models, make recommendations, and implement new practices for public health programs. Revise existing programs and policies based on best practices and evidence-based programs.

Maintain public health presence on social media, website, press, and other platforms. Develop and review content and materials to support public health priorities, including news releases, newsletters, talking points, fact sheets, social media messages, and web content.

Manages the planning and implementation of communication campaigns, including social media, paid advertising, and other strategies.

Serve as a resource and advocate for health and health literacy in the county and promote equity, quality and accessibility for all including vulnerable populations.

Facilitate implementation of community-focused educational programs to promote education and the leading causes of injury and death related to substance use. Make policy recommendations and implement new practices for substance use prevention.

Co-lead the Department’s Overdose Fatality Review Team efforts and support overdose awareness, education, and prevention.

Utilize data to understand current community health and identify program priorities most effective in reducing morbidity and mortality related to substance use.

Collaborate with community committees, community organizations, and regional partners to implement communications campaigns and substance use prevention initiatives.

Contribute community health expertise to the department’s community needs assessment process, health improvement goal setting, identification of health policy and action options, program development and creation of monitoring and evaluation plans.

Participate in department and community emergency response training and drills in support of public health emergency and disaster preparedness consistent with job classification.

Perform public health emergency response duties as assigned and consistent with training provided, in response to threats to the public’s health consistent with job classification.

Contribute to a work environment where continuous quality improvements in service and professional practice are pursued.

Identify and implement tasks to facilitate public health’s presence as the Chief Community Health Strategist by participating in the division’s health in all policies framework.

Adhere to ethical and legal principles and department policy in the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of data and information.

Ensure fiscal responsibility while managing budgets for multiple grants and contracts.

Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education And/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree in public health, health promotion, communication, education, administration or other related field with a minimum of six months related experience. Experience working with local public health agencies and marketing preferred. Internships may qualify. Knowledge of Trauma Informed Care Principles is essential. Community Health Education Specialist certification preferred but not required.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Valid driver’s license

Proof of minimum auto liability insurance coverage

Access to reliable transportation to all assigned work locations daily

National Incident Management System (NIMS) – Incident Command System (ICS) 100 & 200 within three (3) months of employment.

Interactions and Communications

Provides specialized information and/or recommendations to others regarding an area of expertise. Ability to work with multi-ethnic, multi-cultural populations.

Decision Making

This position has authority to make decisions that are consistent with policies and precedents; supervision and managerial direction is available as requested. These decisions directly impact performance in the job and/or the work unit within the department and information is provided with additional research and observations which contributes to the decision making process.

Thinking and Problem Solving

In relation to established procedures, protocols and policies of the County, challenges and problems occurring in this position must be addressed within broader, department-wide procedures and practices.

Tools & Equipment Used

Copy Machine FAX Machine

Personal Computer/Printer Calculator

Telephone

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee regularly is required to stand and occasionally is required to walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Selection Process

To Include

Formal Walworth County Electronic Application

Education & Experience Review

Verification of Driver's License

Oral Department Interview

Reference Check

Background Check

Post Offer Physical Exam

Drug Screen

Other Job Related Tests May Be Required.

WALWORTH COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SUMMARY

H - Non-Represented Hourly Employees

BARGAINING UNIT: Non-Represented Hourly Employees Hired on or after January 1, 2012

DATE: January 1, 2019

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: All employees of Walworth County are at-will employees.

BASIS OF PAYMENT: You are paid for actual hours worked plus pay for any accrued benefit time for which you are eligible. You are eligible for overtime or compensatory time in accordance with provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

SCHEDULED TIME OFF: Accrued based on straight-time hours paid each pay period. All accrued scheduled time off hours are available for use, subject to approval of your supervisor. As a full-time employee you earn scheduled time off (pro-rated for part-time) equivalent to the following:

10 days per year after 1 year of Walworth County Service

15 days per year after 5 years of Walworth County Service

20 days per year after 15 years of Walworth County Service

PERSONAL TIME OFF: Employees will receive 64 hours of personal time off as a lump sum at the beginning of each year (pro-rated for part-time and newly-hired employees). At the end of each calendar year, an employee may request to move remaining personal time off hours to the extended sick leave bank. If no request is made, any remaining hours shall be paid out on the employee's last pay date of the calendar year.

EXTENDED SICK LEAVE BANK: Used for time off of work for more serious health conditions that require three or more consecutive days off or when on an approved leave of absence.

HOLIDAYS: Ten paid holidays each year. As a part-time employee, you receive pro-rated holiday pay based on your positions budgeted FTE.

INSURANCE: Employees hired into a .75 FTE or higher position are eligible for Health, Dental, Life, Vision, Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability insurance benefits on the first of the month following 30 days of service provided you complete enrollment forms within 30 days of hire. Employees hired into a .50 FTE or higher position are eligible for all benefits listed below except Health insurance. Employees hired into a .49 FTE or less position are eligible to participate in Short-Term Disability only.

Health Insurance: You can choose Tier 1 or Tier 2. Tier 1 is a standard co-pay plan. Tier 2 is a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). The County will contribute an amount approved by the County Board, payable as a lump sum to your HSA for Tier 2. You may also elect to contribute to your HSA up to the IRS maximum. You may elect either family or single coverage. The monthly premium will be split between the County and the employee.

Dental Insurance: You may elect either family or single coverage. The county shall pay 100% (single or family) of the premium for a full-time and 50% (single or family) of the premium for a part-time employee enrolled in dental insurance.

Life Insurance: The County provides you with term life insurance in an amount equal to $25,000. You have the option of purchasing additional coverage for yourself, spouse, and/or dependent children.

Short-Term Disability Insurance: The County provides you with Short-Term Disability Insurance with premiums paid by the employer.

LTD Insurance: The County provides you with Long-Term Disability Insurance. The monthly premium is 0.83% of your insured monthly wages. The County shall pay 67% of the premium & employee shall pay 33% of the premium.

Vision Insurance: You may elect to participate in Vision insurance. The employee electing coverage shall pay 100% (single or family) of the premium for vision insurance.

WISCONSIN RETIREMENT: You are covered under the Wisconsin Retirement System if you are expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours per year for a period of one year or more. The WRS provides you with separation, disability or retirement benefits upon termination. The payment is split between the county and employee, as prescribed by state law. Employees expected to work less than 1200 hours per year will not receive this benefit.

EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE: After completing 6 months of employment, you are eligible to participate in the Educational Assistance Program and receive partial reimbursement for tuition upon completion of approved courses.

TAX-SHELTERED BENEFITS: You may elect to participate in the following tax-sheltered benefits:

Deferred Compensation (S457 plan)

Medical Spending Account (S125 plan)

Dependent Care Plan (S125 plan)

Health Savings Account (S223 plan)

WORKERS COMPENSATION: You are covered by Workers Compensation for any illness or injury arising out of your employment. Medical expenses and compensation for lost time are paid from the workers' compensation plan. In addition, the County will supplement the workers' compensation lost-time payment for up to 1 year, making you whole on a "net-check" basis.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: You are required to participate in direct deposit of your paycheck to a banking institution of your choice.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: You and your family are encouraged to use the Employee Assistance Program for help in addressing confidential family and financial matters. EAP services are provided through Curalinc. Please call 888-881-5462 for help.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: You will receive pay for up to 3 days for the purpose of bereavement over the death of your spouse, child, step-child, parent, step-parent, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, or other member of the immediate household (excluding renters).

You will receive up to 1 day of pay for the death of your brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew.

JURY DUTY: Your regular wages will be made-whole for any time you are required to serve on jury duty.

MILITARY LEAVE: Your regular wages will be made-whole for up to two weeks for you to meet your annual two-week reserve duty obligation. Extended military leaves are provided in accordance with state and federal laws.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE: You are required to request a leave of absence in writing and a minimum of 15 calendar days prior to your expected absence. All leaves are subject to approval of the Human Resources Department and are at the discretion of the County's representative, except as otherwise required by law. Under emergency situations, the leave papers must be submitted within 5 days after the absence begins. Periods of absence less than 5 days may be approved by your department head.

Note: This Summary provides only a brief outline of your benefits. All benefit terms and conditions are subject to the specific provisions of plan documents, policies, and/or legal rules and regulations. These benefits are subject to change from time to time by action of the County Board and/or Human Resources Committee.

01

Do you have a valid driver's license?

02

Please indicate below your highest level of education completed.

No High School Diploma/GED
High School Diploma/GED
Some College/Tech School
Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Doctoral Degree

03

Please indicate what area your degree is in.

04

Briefly detail your relevant experience.

Required Question

Employer Walworth County

Address P.O. Box 1001

100 W. Walworth Street

Elkhorn, Wisconsin, 53121

Phone 262-741-7950

Website http://www.co.walworth.wi.us

Director of Communications

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