BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64086100

Requisition No: 855028 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64086100

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64086100 

Salary:  $49,000.00-$52,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 06/28/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

                                                                                                                                Job posting category: Open Competitive

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is a combined position with both bioterrorism surveillance, including active maintenance and participation in the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade (DOH – Miami-Dade)-led BioWatch Program, and infectious disease case and outbreak investigation.  This position is responsible for coordinating all events in which the BioWatch program is involved.  This position is also responsible for planning, developing, and implementing activities associated with the BioWatch program and its participation in partnership initiatives, projects and events.  Incumbent will follow Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and information security regulations to ensure confidentiality and privacy of the client health information. Incumbent will establish good rapport with staff and clients and provide positive customer service. Incumbent is expected to adhere to established Health Department policies and procedures.

Schedules, coordinates, and organizes BioWatch Advisory Committee (BAC) quarterly meetings, assuring notification to all members, and seeking their active participation.  Incumbent will record meetings as a mechanism for faithful transcription of deliberations and decisions made during the meeting.  Responsible for scheduling, coordinating, and organizing BAC subcommittee meetings, creating subsequent minutes.  Performing all BioWatch-related work consistent with the role of DOH – Miami-Dade in the program, as assigned by the Bio-Terrorism Surveillance Coordinator as the position’s direct supervisor; this includes attendance to bioterrorism response training both planned and sponsored by DOH and with BioWatch partners, collaborating with BioWatch partners in planning and executing BioWatch-related training and exercises, and attending calls and invitations from the DOH – Miami-Dade Public Health Preparedness Program to sit in meetings and coordinate bioterrorism response activities.

Participates in conducting epidemiologic outbreak investigations by interviewing patients, health-care providers, and others involved; and assisting in collecting data from local agencies or other health entities. Performs analyses by using statistical techniques commonly employed in epidemiologic evaluations to interpret and analyze observed health phenomena. Uses surveillance systems to collect disease or health outcome data. Provides standard recommendations to facilities and providers reporting outbreaks of infectious diseases.  Reports cases in a timely manner in the Merlin DOH Reporting System

Assists the Regional/local Foodborne and Waterborne Epidemiologist in conducting assessments and epidemiological investigations of Legionnaire’s Disease, including environmental sampling and specimen preparation for shipment to testing laboratories, writing final reports, and communication of results and conclusions to facility administrators/directors.

Performs epidemiologic investigations of reportable diseases that have been assigned to the position, utilizing established scientific and technical methods and practices to identify causes and provide recommendations for their prevention and control.  Identifies cases of reportable conditions and collect necessary demographic and clinical data from hospitals and laboratories and conduct personal and/or telephone interviews of patients who are reported with communicable diseases.  Participates in outbreak investigations, regardless of the disease involved in the outbreak.

Incumbent is tasked with developing online courses on Category A-bio-terrorism agents, mirroring the one(s) already existing at the CDC. 

Prepare standard operating procedures (SOP) for Bioterrorism Diseases, including flow charts and presentations, and reports as required by the program.  Prepares and delivers a presentation to the surveillance staff and other audiences, of the designed protocols.  Participates in the design and delivery of bioterrorism agent training courses for the DOH – Miami-Dade Staff.

Manage the Bio-Watch portal and database as instructed by the supervisor, following guidelines and protocols form the BioWatch Program Headquarters, and sending reminders to BAC members to renew their passwords on a regular basis as established by the BioWatch Program Portal Manager, and to utilize the portal consistently.  Portal utilization should be encouraged constantly as a means to maintain safety and confidentiality of the documents pertaining to the BioWatch program.

Assist in the planning, coordination, and implementation of epidemic and pandemic response.

When required by the case or outbreak development, visit outpatient clinics to give presentations about communicable disease reporting requirements and to provide consultation to personnel responsible for reporting at clinic sites.

Complete required paperwork, including case management records and forms, interviews records, field investigations, travel logs and narratives.  Performs other duties as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the terminology, principles and techniques used in biological research, analysis or testing.
• Knowledge of the procedures, techniques and equipment used in laboratory testing and analysis.
• Knowledge of the methods of data collection.
• Knowledge of scientific laboratory and field equipment utilized in diagnosing infectious diseases.
• Knowledge of basic epidemiologic principles including surveillance.
• Ability to use Word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
• Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews.
• Ability to prepare and conduct training programs.
• Ability to prepare reports and records.
• Ability to collect records and analyze scientific data relating to the biological sciences.
• Ability to conduct biological research, studies or analyses using scientific methods and techniques.
• Ability to perform quantitative analysis of scientific data.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments. 
• Ability to communicate effectively. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to the biological sciences.
• Knowledge of Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act privacy rules.

Qualifications:

Minimum - Experience in public speaking, valid driver’s license and access to an automobile to perform work related 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:

1350 N.W 14th Street Miami, Florida. 33125

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.