Public Health Manager Wanted In Wauwatosa

WAUWATOSA, WI — The City of Wauwatosa wants to fill its public health leadership position after Laura Stephens, who previously held the position, was confirmed as the official city health officer.

The Wauwatosa Health Department is hiring for a new public health manager to administer environmental health and preparedness programs, the city said in a Facebook post.

The listing will close on July 23, Stephens told Patch. After the listing closes, the health department will begin the interview process.

Stephens previously held the interim health officer post before she was confirmed by the Common Council in May, according to city records.

When hired, the public health manager will oversee programs such as licensing and inspection of restaurants, pools and hotels, Stephens said. They will also manage preparedness programs for natural disasters, future pandemics or other city emergencies.

While the health department is focused on issuing vaccinations against COVID-19, it is also working to address pre-pandemic health equity issues, Stephens said.

"We've been looking at COVID response for the past year and a half, but we're looking at introducing at reintroducing our pre-COVID work," Stephens said. "We're looking at those root causes of health issues in our city and trying to address those to our programs and services."

The public health manager listing is currently on platforms like LinkedIn and GovernmentJobs. A position for a nursing manager will open in the future, Stephens said.