HEALTH SUPPORT SPECIALIST - 64038391

Requisition No: 855921 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: HEALTH SUPPORT SPECIALIST - 64038391

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64038391 

Salary:  $32,760 to $34,320 

Posting Closing Date: 07/07/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County.  If you are looking to establish a successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place. We have competitive salary, great benefits, along with a new expedited recruitment approach, and opportunities for career advancement. Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida.  We hope you decide to join our team!  Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Florida Department of Health in Manatee (DOH-Manatee) is a customer driven public health organization in continuous pursuit of performance excellence. Our Mission – To protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Our Vision – To be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Our Values – Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness, Excellence (ICARE).

The incumbent represents the agency along with its mission and values. The incumbent is part of the global public health organization and is expected to promote cooperation, courtesy, respect, and teamwork in a diverse environment. This is a highly responsible health support specialist position performing paraprofessional duties at any site or location in the geographic area covered by the Manatee WIC program.

Health Support Specialist Duties:

This is paraprofessional work performing a variety of clerical and health support functions in support of the WIC program. The employee in this position must be able to work independently and follow exact rules, regulations, and procedures without variation. This employee also provides basic nutrition education; tracks client participation; determines the need for recertification; enters client information into the data base; issues WIC EBT cards; and maintains the security of negotiable items. This position has a primary work site; however the employee will work at other locations for training and staff relief. 

Interviews WIC clients and potential WIC clients, provides nutrition education, and documents services in the computer according to DHM 150-24, the WIC System Guide, and local procedures:

• Is prepared to serve clients at the designated opening time
• Determines WIC income eligibility status and verifies other eligibility requirements
• Obtains required demographic data
• Completes WIC certification forms as appropriate
• Advises clients of their rights and obligations
• Informs clients of other health and social services
• Issues WIC EBT cards and benefits and instructs clients on proper EBT procedures
• Maintains necessary inventories and follows security procedures
• Obtains client signatures as required
• Informs participants when certification expires and what is required for recertification
• Offers WIC clients the option to vote
• Additionally, this position is qualified to assist the nutrition staff and clients in completing the nutrition questionnaire (with the exception of completing the medical questions)

Performs hemoglobin testing and height/length/weight measurements for WIC clients as per CDC and WIC guidelines. Records health information obtained. Maintains Hemocue machine, maintains a sanitary environment including disposing of biomedical waste as per OSHA guidelines. Performs calibration of equipment as needed. Follows Biomedical Waste procedures.

Participates in outreach activities, which will enhance the community’s knowledge of the WIC Program, by attending health fairs and/or providing presentations on appropriate nutrition and breastfeeding education. These activities will be on current science-based information for clients who may be eligible for the program and will represent the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County in a professional manner.

Independently and professionally addresses and resolves all customer service issues and takes appropriate actions. Will keep supervisor informed of the situation and outcome by the end of the workday. May be required to perform additional duties at the direction of WIC director or supervisor.

Travels to other clinic sites, when scheduled.

Assists the Public Health Nutrition Program Director in the completion of inventories and in the development of quality improvement (QI) tools and QI monitoring activities.

Accurately completes all forms such as timesheets, EARs, encounter documentation, leave and attendance records, mileage, and other necessary items by the required deadlines. 

Attends and participates in staff meetings, in-service training, and other professional and staff development activities.

Performs other related duties as required by the supervisor.

Information Security: Maintains the confidentiality for the information in accordance with state and federal statutes, rules, regulations, and DOH Information Security Policies, Protocols, and Procedures, in accordance with Protocol: Security 3, V, Section 1-3.

Other Duties: Performs other related duties as required.

This position may serve clients that speak languages other than English. It may require performance of interpreter duties if bilingual, or implementation of the Department’s Limited English Proficiency Plan. Performs other duties as required, including performance of additional interpreter duties, consistent with skill level, and as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to use a computer, printer, scanner, and calculator
• Ability to use WIC program related software and provide proof of successful completion of the WIC WiSE competency test
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to perform all lab duties and anthropometrics
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments
• Ability to determine work priorities and ensure completion of assignments
• Ability to review work for accuracy and quality of content
• Ability to train others
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Ability to interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Ability to perform basic arithmetical calculations
• Ability to deal effectively with a variety of people
• Ability to prepare reports and maintain records
• Ability to resolve conflict and provide outstanding customer service
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time as well as bend, stoop, and lift up to 50 pounds

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma

Other job-related requirements for this position:

• Emergency Duty: Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.
• Confidentiality: Incumbent may have access to records containing Social Security numbers in the performance of their job duties. 

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Manatee County

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers
• And more! 

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.