Columbia County is seeking a motivated and community-oriented professional to serve as Deputy Emergency Management Director. This position plays a key role in planning, training, preparedness, response, and recovery activities that build countywide resilience.

The Deputy Director assists with emergency operations planning, hazardous materials preparedness (EPCRA/SARA Title III), emergency operations center readiness, grant administration, community outreach, and countywide coordination with government agencies, first responders, businesses, and the public. The Deputy Director will act on behalf of the Emergency Management Director when delegated or in the Director’s absence and may support field response during emergencies and disasters.

This position requires excellent communication skills, high attention to detail, the ability to work independently, and readiness to respond during after-hours emergencies when needed.

Minimum Requirements:

• Associate degree from an accredited vocational, college, or technical school in Public Safety, Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Public Administration, or related field and a minimum of two (2) years of emergency support services or crisis or emergency incident response experience, OR
• High School diploma or its equivalent and a minimum of three (3) years of emergency support services or crisis emergency incident response experience. (i.e. Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, Dispatch). Computer proficiency; Microsoft Office skills.
• Completion of NIMS ICS 100/200/700/800 within 12 months of hire.
• Must complete WI Emergency Management Certification Level 1 within 2 years.

Columbia County offers competitive pay, benefits, training, and opportunities for professional growth in the emergency management and public safety field. Applicants REQUIRED to submit a Columbia County application for consideration obtained from the County website https://www.co.columbia.wi.us.  Application deadline is February 27, 2026.  AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Columbia County Department of Health & Human Services is recruiting for an Initial Assessment Child Protective Services Social Worker in the Division of Children and Families.  Our mission is to protect children and the community while strengthening families and promoting their self-sufficiency.  This position involves investigations of child abuse and neglect, assessing and ensuring safety of children, and engaging with families and community agencies to identify strengths and needs to implement services.  Minimum Qualifications:  Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from an accredited Social Work degree program is preferred.  Must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, or other Human Service program and be certified or eligible to obtain certification as a Social Worker.  Requires possession of a valid Wisconsin Driver’s License and personal transportation.  Starting wage: $31.755 per hour, for certified Social Workers and $29.819 per hour for Case Workers, until certification obtained. All applicants are REQUIRED to submit the Columbia County application obtained from the County website:  https://www.co.columbia.wi.us Application deadline is February 27, 2026. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Columbia County is recruiting to fill the position of Veterans Service Officer (VSO). Qualifications: Wisconsin Resident who served on active duty under honorable conditions in the Armed Forces of the United States.  The VSO administers veterans services and provides assistance to veterans, their dependents and survivors living in the service officer’s county. The VSO is an elected position through a majority vote of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors. Education: Business or Associate Degree from an accredited college, university, or technical school with a minimum of two years of responsible office experience or High school diploma or its equivalent, and a minimum of four years of responsible office work experience. The starting annual salary for this position is $74,898.72. All applicants must submit a completed Columbia County application and DD214 discharge papers to be considered for this position.  Obtain required application from County website https://www.co.columbia.wi.us or call (608) 742-9667 or from Columbia County Human Resources 112 E. Edgewater St., Portage, WI. Application deadline is March 6, 2026. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

Full-time immediate opening for a position with Columbia County Solid Waste Department. Responsible for curbside collection of garbage and recycling materials at various sites throughout Columbia County. Additional duties may include working at facility, sorting, baling and loading/unloading trucks. Ability to drive a truck and operate a forklift, skid steer loader and baler. Qualifications: High School Diploma or equivalent preferable and 2 years of work experience which provides required knowledge, skills and abilities.  Must be bondable, REQUIRED to possess valid Wisconsin driver’s license with CDL Class BCD with airbrakes.  Must maintain continued coverage of automobile liability insurance. Hire rate: $26.286 per hour. Application deadline is February 26, 2026. REQUIRED application & job description obtained from website https://www.co.columbia.wi.us  AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Full time position, 40.0 hours per week.  Qualifications: Associate or Business degree from an accredited vocational or technical college in administrative professional or business with some accounting classes and a minimum of two (2) years of responsible office experience. A high level of proficiency in Microsoft Word is required, as well as the ability to work in Excel, Outlook, and Adobe. Ability to accurately type 45 WPM.  Computer experience required.  Hire rate:  $23.175 per hour. Application and job description may be from web site: https://www.co.columbia.wi.us Application deadline is February 27, 2026. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Full time (40 hrs./wk.) position within the Columbia County Human Resources (HR) Office. Performs highly confidential, varied administrative and support work in the Human Resources Office involving complex problems and situations requiring thorough familiarity with the operations of the County. Provides administrative support to the Human Resources Director. This position works with all Columbia County Government offices and departments. Responsibilities include: recruitment for vacant positions working with Department Heads on advertisement, complete references, background checks, and schedule physicals for selected candidates; conduct orientations for new County employees; main contact for Family Medical Leave requests, responses and associated issues, and various related reports and responsibilities as relevant.  Experience with Oracle/JD Edwards system beneficial and computer experience required in Microsoft Windows and Office applications. Requirements: Associate Degree in Business Administration or a related field with equivalent combination of experience/training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Minimum 2 to 4 years of performing administrative and general office work in a large multi-departmental organization.  Hire rate:  $31.755 per hour. Application and job description obtained from the County web site: www.co.columbia.wi.us.  Application deadline is February 18, 2026.   

Columbia County Highway & Transportation is recruiting for a Highway Patrol Worker. Full time position, 40 hours per week. Requirements: High School Diploma or equivalent + 2 years’ experience/training in some type of construction field. Must have valid WI Driver's License, Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) preferred OR must obtain within six (6) months of hire date through County CDL school. Starting rate: $25.52 per hour with Class A CDL and $23.96 per hour until Class A CDL attained. Application deadline is March 1, 2026. Interested applicants will need to submit the required County application obtained from https://www.co.columbia.wi.us for consideration. Please complete and submit to Columbia County Human Resources by email, fax or mail. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Applications are being accepted for full time summer employment with Columbia County Highway & Transportation.  This opportunity is open for multiple positions including:

Truck Driver (2 positions):  CDL required, driving dump truck in support of construction operations throughout the county. Hire rate: $26.286 per hour.

Parks Maintenance (2 positions):  Wisconsin Driver’s License required, able to operate riding lawnmower, janitorial duties, able to work independently. Hire rate: $18.818 per hour.

Engineering Technician (2 positions):  culvert inspections, surveying, right-of-way documentation research, construction assisting, mapping. Hire rate: $21.146 per hour.

Duties as assigned include various tasks related to general maintenance of highways and equipment as stated above.  Must have valid Wisconsin Driver’s License.  Must be 18 years of age.

For consideration applicants are required to submit a Columbia County application obtained from https://www.co.columbia.wi.us

email:  human.resources@columbiacountywi.gov

or fax to:  608-742-9802

or mail to:  

Columbia County Human Resources

P.O. Box 63

112 East Edgewater Street

Portage, WI  53901

First Screening of Applications is April 1, 2026

Senior field manager position within Columbia County Highway & Transportation Department; responsibilities include; but are not limited to, project supervision, field management, asset program coordination, permitting, safety, quality control, traffic control, and assist Commissioner with maintaining equipment, buildings & grounds, bridges, culverts, roads, safety devices, signage, and road right-of-way on the State, County, and Town road systems within the county. WEEKEND AND NIGHT ON CALL position (including winter), assisting other managers and superintendents in the oversight of the day to day operations, serves on five (5) week on-call rotation. Qualifications: High School diploma or GED equivalent is required and a higher-level educational background in construction, technical trades, public administration, reclamation, forestry, conservation, agricultural, or engineering fields (Associate Degree or Bachelor Degree) or a minimum seven years related field experience in applicable fields. Computer knowledge and skills essential as well as dispatch supervision, public outreach coordination would be beneficial.  Valid Wisconsin Class A Commercial Drivers License with H and N endorsements within six months of hire. Annual Salary: $84,947.20. Pay may be negotiable for an exceptionally qualified candidate.  Application and job description obtained at: Columbia County Human Resources, 112 E. Edgewater St., P.O. Box 63, Portage, WI  53901, (608) 742-9667.  Web Site Address: https://www.co.columbia.wi.us.  Application deadline is: February 20, 2026. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

We are hiring for a full-time 911 Dispatcher/Communication Operator. Come and join our team and start a new and exciting career!

Qualifications: high school diploma or equivalent required; related work experience, preferably with operating two-way radio equipment; strong computer and communication skills. Must have the ability to effectively multitask, simultaneously using multiple information systems. Must possess excellent moral character; be dependable; and be able to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays. Newly hired dispatchers should expect to work traditional 2^nd or 3^rd shift hours. Shifts are 12 hours in length, on a two-week rotating schedule, with every other 3-day weekend off (Pitman schedule).

The selection process includes oral interviews, background investigation, medical and psychological evaluation, and drug/alcohol screening. Columbia County residency is not required. The initial hiring rate of pay is $25.52 per hour. Pay may be negotiable for an exceptionally qualified candidate. Columbia County also offers the following incentives:

• Additional Two Dollars ($2) per hour weekend pay.

• Additional Two Dollars ($2) per hour nighttime shift differential premium pay.

• Great benefits for sick time, holiday time and vacation time.

Applicants should submit the WI Law Enforcement Standards Board DJ-LE-330 application found on the Columbia County Human Resources website or Wilenet.gov. Applications are accepted via email sent to human.resources@columbiacountywi.gov, fax 608-742-9802, or mailed to Columbia County Human Resources PO Box 63, Portage, WI 53901.

Top candidates will be contacted for an interview.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Now Hiring - Part Time

Courthouse Security / Transport Deputy

Individuals With Past Law Enforcement or Correctional Experience Are Encouraged to Apply!

Seeking individuals to work 2-3 days per week performing courthouse security and inmate transport duties on a part time basis. This position is an armed and uniformed Special Deputy Sheriff position working for the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. Shifts are Monday-Friday with daytime hours.

Applicants must have been certified or certifiable by Wisconsin DOJ Training and Standards Board for either the law enforcement or jail academies and pass and maintain said State of WI certifications for Firearms, EVOC, and Defensive Tactics.

How to Apply: Submit WI Law Enforcement Standard Board application DJ-LE330.  Selection process includes review of application documents, oral interviews, background investigation, medical & psychological evaluations, drug and alcohol screenings. Obtain the Law Enforcement application from the Columbia County Website (https://www.co.columbia.wi.us/columbiacounty/) or Wilenet.  Applications accepted by email: human.resources@columbiacountywi.gov  fax 608-742-9802 or mail Columbia County HR, PO Box 63, Portage, WI  53901. Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.  AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

Department:  Columbia County Health Care Center
Starting Wage: $20.528/hour, plus PM/NOC/Weekend Shift Differentials
Closing Date:  Open
Positions Available:  Part-time PM and NOC

Department:  Columbia County Health Care Center
RN Starting Wage:  $38.347/hour
LPN Starting Wage:  $27.985/hour
Closing Date:  Open
Positions Available:  Full Time PM and Casual