OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64916114

Requisition No: 877133 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64916114

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 64916114 

Salary:  $24 - $25 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 06/15/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Open Competitive Job Opportunity

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Join Team Duval. At DOH-Duval, we work every day to protect, promote, and improve the health of our community. Join a team that values innovation, collaboration, and public service. Our programs are recognized across Florida for their impact and effectiveness, and we are looking for dedicated professionals who want to make a real difference. If you are passionate about creating healthier communities, your future starts here.

This position serves as a County Epidemiologist within the Communicable Disease Programs at the

Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH‑Duval). The role operates under the administrative supervision of the Communicable Disease Programs Director, with technical guidance from the Epidemiology Manager and relevant Program Offices. The County Epidemiologist is responsible for conducting epidemiologic investigations, performing contact tracing, and implementing appropriate control measures. Additional duties include ongoing disease surveillance, data analysis, report generation, and participation in community outreach and provider education. The position also supports investigations of environmentally related diseases and conducts joint field investigations with the Environmental Health team. The incumbent will support outbreak investigations and perform field visits across a variety of settings, including homes, schools, hospitals, and childcare facilities. This role also serves as one of the leads for quality improvement initiatives within the Communicable Disease Programs. All duties must be performed with accuracy, attention to safety, strong customer service, teamwork, and strict adherence to established protocols, policies, and procedures. This position is funded through the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) to strengthen local capacity for surveillance and investigations, enhance outbreak and surge response, and advance quality improvement efforts that support 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 skills
• 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

• A current, valid, and unrestricted driver’s license.
• Must be available to work 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday and be available to work beyond normal works as required.

Preferred

• Candidate with a master’s or higher degree in public health or epidemiology with relevant experience in disease investigations, surveillance & data analysis is preferred.
• At least 6 months experience working in epidemiology, communicable disease, or infection control. Experience may include internship, volunteering, or working in an academic setting is preferred.
• Experience training or experience in data analysis utilizing Excel and SAS, SPSS or other statistical software is preferred.

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

Central Health Plaza

515 W. 6th Street

Jacksonville, Florida 

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.    

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.