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Position Descriptions & Applications
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Note:  To view the position description of each opening click on the "read more . . ." link.

Custodian

Columbia County Facility Management Department is recruiting for a full-time position (40 hrs/wk).  Employee will be assigned to work at any of the Columbia County facilities maintained by Facilities Management (Administration Building/Health & Human Services/Courthouse/Sheriff’s Office/Jail).  Qualifications:  High School Diploma or its equivalent, minimum of 1-year work experience in housekeeping, maintenance or groundskeeper desirable. Background and reference checks will be conducted.  This position is Monday - Friday 3:30 P.M. to 12:00 A.M. (midnight).  Starting salary: $21.774 per hour. Applicants are REQUIRED to submit an application obtained from the Columbia County website:  https://www.co.columbia.wi.us. Application deadline is August 11, 2026.  AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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Chief Deputy Medical Examiner

Columbia County seeks to fill a full-time vacancy for Chief Deputy Medical Examiner. This position is under the supervision of the Columbia County Medical Examiner. Responsibilities: Investigates and reports on the cause and manner of deaths including the gathering of physical evidence, interviewing, assisting in post-mortem examinations; determines if a case falls under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner’s Office; and performs related work as required.  Administrative duties of the office in the absence of the Medical Examiner. These duties include but are not limited to; accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, attend Committee meetings as required, serve civil process upon request by the Sheriff, case management, monthly reports and personnel scheduling. In case of a vacancy in the office of Medical Examiner, the Chief Deputy Medical Examiner shall execute the duties of the office until the vacancy is filled as provided by law.  Qualifications: Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Deputy Medical Examiner and at least 200 case investigations.  Requires a combination of training and experience equivalent to at least an Associate’s Degree in Police Science, OR related field and 2 years’ experience either performing criminal or civil investigations, including writing investigative reports.  Requires a medical background trained to at least the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Basic level or similar training and 2 years of medical field experience.  Familiar with exposure control plans and appropriate personal protective equipment including safe needle practices.  Special consideration given to American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) board certification.  Possession of a valid Wisconsin Driver’s License; ability to drive County owned vehicles; access to reliable personal motor vehicle.  Availability to work evenings, holidays, and weekends. Must be bondable.  Must maintain auto liability insurance.  Random drug testing required. Selection process includes an oral interview, background investigation, medical and psychological evaluation, drug and alcohol screening.  Hire rate: $31.755 per hour.  Complete job description and required application obtained on County Web Site: https://www.co.columbia.wi.us Application deadline is August 31, 2026. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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Accounting Assistant

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 preferred. 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. Columbia County Accounting Department also offers a $1,500 sign-on bonus. Application and job description may be from web site: https://www.co.columbia.wi.us Application deadline is August 7, 2026. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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Accountant

Challenging full-time county government position requires accuracy and thorough knowledge of accounting concepts and principles. Must be proficient in Microsoft Excel.  Experience with PeopleSoft accounting system beneficial.  Responsible for reviewing and auditing select county transactions, including grants with fiscal and compliance requirements, budget preparation, updating the county accounting systems, develop and implement internal controls for departments, and other complex accounting functions. Must be motivated and capable of working on multi-tasks with defined time constraints.  Education requirements: Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Accounting or Business and 2 years of professional work experience preferred.  Hire rate: $29.819 per hour. Columbia County Accounting Department also offers a $1,500 sign-on bonus. Complete job description and required application obtained on County Web Site: https://www.co.columbia.wi.us  Application deadline is August 7, 2026. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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Economic Support Specialist - Lead

Columbia County Health & Human Services is seeking an Economic Support Specialist – Lead to guide and support our Economic Support team while continuing to help residents access essential public assistance programs. This position trains and supports Economic Support Specialists, assists with quality control, answers complex policy questions, helps manage daily operations, serves as a resource for Economic Support Specialists in Capital Consortium, and acts as back up to the Fraud and Child Care assistance programs. This position may maintain a caseload and determine eligibility for programs. Minimum Qualifications: Associate’s degree in related field or equivalent education and experience, at least one (1) year of experience as an Economic Support Specialist, Completion of 96 additional hours to Economic Support training or related training, and advanced knowledge of Economic Support programs and leadership abilities. Hire rate: $26.286 per hour. Complete job description and required application obtained on County Web Site: https://www.co.columbia.wi.us  Application deadline is August 5, 2026. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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Marketing & Outreach Coordinator

Full time position, 37.5 hrs/wk, with the Aging & Disability Resource Center located within Columbia County Health & Human Services. Ability to perform a variety of moderately complex office and clerical procedures.  Assists leadership with carrying out outreach and marketing strategies, evidence-based prevention programs, customer satisfaction, as well as reception desk duties.  Associate Degree from an accredited vocational, college, or technical school and a minimum of one (1) year of related office experience, OR High School diploma and a minimum of two (2) years of related work experience, OR Combination of training and experience equivalent to the above or specific to the job.  Computer experience required. Hire rate: $24.679 per hour.  Complete job description and required application obtained on Columbia County website www.co.columbia.wi.us Application deadline is August 7, 2026.  AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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Jailer 1

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is recruiting to fill future vacancies for a Jail Deputy. Schedule is 12-hour shifts with every other 3-day weekend off. Qualifications:  High School Diploma or equivalent; excellent moral character; dependable; and ability to handle and control inmates. Selection process includes oral interviews, background investigation, medical & psychological evaluations, drug and alcohol screenings, county residency not required.  Hire rate $27.985 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.  
  • Jail staff who complete five (5) years of service in the Jail shall receive a one-time payment of Two Thousand Dollard ($2,000).
  • Jail staff who retire from the County at age fifty-five (55) or above with at least twenty-five (25) years of continuous service with the Sheriff’s Office, shall receive Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) into a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) per year, through the age of sixty-five (65). 

Application process:

REQUIRED to submit WI Law Enforcement Standard Board application DJ-LE330 complete the 3 questions in Section 6 General.  

Please limit your response to a one-page typed letter. 

Obtain the Law Enforcement application from the Columbia County website https://www.co.columbia.wi.us or wilenet.org  Application deadline is September 18, 2026.  Applications accepted by email: human.resources@columbiacountywi.gov fax 608-742-9802 or mail Columbia County HR, PO Box 63, Portage, WI  53901.  AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER   

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Sheriff Deputy

NOW HIRING A CERTIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO FILL A PATROL DEPUTY POSITION!

 

  • STARTING PAY BETWEEN $31.41 – $39.21 PER HOUR DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE.
  • WAGES INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL $2 PER HOUR ON WEEKENDS AND AN ADDITIONAL $2 PER HOUR ON SHIFTS STARTING AT NOON OR LATER.
  • UP TO 144 HOURS OF VACATION UPON HIRE FOR LATERAL TRANSFER CANDIDATES.
  • PERSONALLY ASSIGNED TAKE HOME SQUAD CAR.

 

DEPUTY SHERIFF:  The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is recruiting to fill current Deputy Sheriff vacancies. This is a patrol deputy position.  Patrol deputies will be issued a take home squad that is assigned to them.  Deputies are eligible for specialized teams like SWAT, Dive Team, Boat Patrol, Drug Unit, Honor Guard, K-9, Crisis Negotiation, Critical Incident Debriefing, Accident Reconstruction, Crime Scene Evidence Tech, and Drone Unit.

 

Qualifications: Minimum two-year associate degree or 60 credits from an accredited Technical College, College, or University; a High School diploma or its equivalent; and a minimum of 18 years of age. Must be State Law Enforcement Standards Board Certified or Certifiable.

 

Requirements: Must possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license with a good driving record. Be able to pass an extensive and thorough background check including physical and psychological examination as well as drug and alcohol screening.  Must be willing to work a flexible schedule that includes holidays, weekends, and nights. Must have uncompromised integrity with high moral standards.

 

How to Apply: Submit WI Law Enforcement Standard Board application DJ-LE330.  Applicants MUST complete the 3 questions in Section 6 for consideration. Selection process includes review of application documents, oral interviews, background investigation, medical & psychological evaluations, drug and alcohol screenings. Applicants can obtain the Law Enforcement application from the Columbia County Website or Wilenet. Applications will be accepted until the open position is filled. Applications can be sent to human.resources@columbiacountywi.gov or mailed to Columbia County HR, PO Box 63, Portage, WI 53901. An equal opportunity employer. 

 

The 2026 pay range is $31.41 - $42.74 per hour with a starting pay range between $31.41 – $39.21 per hour depending on law enforcement experience and certifications as dictated by the Columbia County lateral transfer program. 

 

Patrol deputies work a 12-hour shift and will be scheduled off every other Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (Pitman schedule).  Excellent benefits package with health, dental, and eye insurance, up to 144 hours of vacation for lateral transfers, 88 hours of Holidays, 8 hours of sick time earned per month.  Patrol Deputies will receive an additional $2.00 per hour for weekend hours worked, plus an additional shift differential of $2.00 per hour for any shift starting at noon or later. Columbia County contributes $35 each pay period into a separate Healthcare Reimbursement Account ("HRA") to be used upon retirement for health insurance costs. Upon Retirement, Deputies will receive $8,000 a year for health insurance if they meet the required years of service as stated in the collective bargaining agreement. All uniforms and equipment are issued upon start date with a yearly uniform allowance of $700 after the first year. 

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Court Services III

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 

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Links

Certified Nursing Assistant Positions

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

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Registered Nurses & Licensed Practical Nurses

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 AM and Casual

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