OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64916114

Requisition No: 865282 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64916114

Position Number: 64916114 

Salary:  $23.00 - $25.00 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 12/01/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Open Competitive Job Opportunity

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Come Join DOH-Team Duval!  If you are looking to establish an exciting and successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place.  Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida. 

This position serves as a County Epidemiologist within the Epidemiology and Communicable Disease Surveillance Program at the Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH-Duval). Under the administrative supervision of the Epidemiology Program Director, and technical guidance from the Bureau of Epidemiology or appropriate Program Office, the incumbent is responsible for conducting communicable disease investigations, including contact tracing and implementation of control measures. Key duties include surveillance, data analysis, report generation, outbreak investigations, and field visits to homes, schools, hospitals, daycares, and other relevant settings. The role also involves participating in community outreach and providing education to healthcare providers and the public. All responsibilities must be carried out with accuracy, a focus on safety, positive interactions with customers and team members, and strict adherence to protocols, policies, and procedures. This position is funded through the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG), which aims to enhance local capacity for surveillance and investigations, improve outbreak and surge response, and support quality improvement initiatives to strengthen epidemiologic performance and operations.

• Leads quality improvement initiatives and innovation projects to enhance internal operational processes and program performance using data driven approaches.
• Leads epidemiologic research projects to identify trends and risk factors that affect our community. Performs data analysis using advanced statistical & mapping software.
• Provides a broad range of services in the Epidemiology Program as a county epidemiologist. Assists with the required reporting of communicable diseases and conditions in Duval County and provides assistance as needed for neighboring counties. Coordinates, investigates and controls outbreaks of suspected diseases in the community. Assists the state epidemiology office as necessary.
• Conducts epidemiological investigations and provides appropriate entities information relative to disease transmission. Provides information to facilities such as schools, daycares, and nursing homes.
• Participates in the investigation of environmental health threats by collecting and analyzing health and environmental data, preparing interpretation of findings and disseminating recommended prevention and control measures. Conducts investigations on diseases of environmental origin such as but not limited to infections caused by waterborne, foodborne, heavy metals and other environmental agents. Performs field assessments and investigations along with the Environmental Health and Regional teams.
• Provides either consultative or tactical expertise to assist in the identification, investigation and control of incidents, situations or occurrences which may endanger public health. This may include conducting an epidemiologic assessment and providing infection control training.
• Creates reports using local, state and federal data. Assists in the health assessment of the county and its sub-populations using epidemiological and biostatistical reporting tools.
• Analyzes data for outbreaks and communicable disease surveillance reports using advanced programming techniques such as Excel, SAS or SPSS. Monitors and follows up on several state and local data reporting sources, including hospital, clinical and laboratory data.
• Serves as an active member of the Epidemiology Response Team. Responds to biological events within an incident command structure under an emergency support function and in state and local law enforcement/emergency services events.
• Uses existing and implements new queries in the syndromic disease surveillance system (ESSENCE-FL) to assist in identifying non-reported reportable diseases and potential outbreaks. Monitors and follows up on syndromic disease reporting activities for evidence of biologic events that may be linked to terrorism or potential disease outbreaks. Analyzes and provides comparative data and syndromic disease reports from peer counties and from available national syndromic reporting systems.
• Assists the health officer and program director in formulating responses to the community regarding communicable disease outbreaks and attends meetings with state and local officials regarding public health issues. Summarizes and reports assessment information in compliance with reportable disease requirements and to in-house stakeholders. Assists in preparation of grant proposals and other documentation required for securing funds for program needs.
• Prepares, proofreads, edits, and/or routes correspondence to internal and external partners, as well as other entities with accuracy and promptness. This will include journal articles, publications and spreadsheets
• Develops assessment and assurance monitoring systems in collaboration with health department management and with community stakeholders. Attends and/or facilities meetings and attends conferences representing the department. Appears at public meetings, lectures to groups as requested and assists with preparation of public service announcements and statements to the media.
• Communicates in writing, in person, and through electronic means concisely and positively. Takes initiative to multi-task with accuracy. Communicates and solves problems appropriately. Exhibits and maintains a positive attitude while working independently and in a team setting. Provides quality educational opportunities and training for students.
• Works with the management team, physicians, nurses, disease intervention specialists and other staff to develop and provide an interdisciplinary team approach to case management. Participates in quality improvement activities. Attends staff meetings, in-services, seminars and trainings for self-improvement, increased competency, and retention of skills.
• Participates in orientation and staff development programs for persons working in the Epidemiology Program.
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of epidemiology and disease control.
• Knowledge of statistical methods and applications
• Ability to evaluate and interpret epidemiological and statistical data pertaining to the
• control of communicable diseases.
• Knowledge of Merlin, ESSENCE and other epidemiologic applications.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office and Statistical Software including Excel and SAS or SPSS.
• Ability to perform public speaking.
• Tactful interpersonal, interviewing, and organizational skill
• Ability to explain the principles of exposure, infection, infectious period, high-risk interactions, symptoms of diseases, and prevention and control interventions.
• Ability to present information clearly and concisely orally and in writing.

Qualifications:

Minimum:

• Current and Valid Driver’s License
• Must be available to work 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Must be available to work beyond normal working hours which may include weekends and holidays.

Preferred:

• Public health professional with a Master of Public Health (MPH) and experience in epidemiology, disease surveillance, and data analysis

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:

Florida Department of Health in Duval County

921 N. Davis Street Bldg. B

Jacksonville, FL 32209

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements.  Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)
• Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)
• 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.