BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 64005160

Requisition No: 860171 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 64005160

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64005160 

Salary:  $40,419.58 - $47,419.58 

Posting Closing Date: 09/16/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Job posting category (Open Competitive)

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The incumbent is part of a global, public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Putnam County in its mission to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida, through integrated state, county and community efforts, and its vision to be the healthiest state in the nation. This is an independent, and highly specialized clinical position, in communicable disease control within the Community Health Services Section at the Florida Department of Health in Putnam County. Disease surveillance, investigation and education are integral components of duties which often require field work. The incumbent will assure timely and accurate investigation and follow-up, of reportable communicable diseases and conditions, received under the Florida Department of Health; this service impacts a multi-community area. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to incorporate the agency values of innovation, collaboration, accountability, responsiveness and excellence in all aspects of their work. Additional responsibilities of this position include serving as liaison with the medical community, public partners, and any other healthcare facilities. This position is under the direct supervision of the Nurse Program Specialist. Incumbent serves in a developmental capacity, providing direct disease and public health awareness intervention activities under the auspices of the sexually transmitted infection program, including but not limited to, “Partner Services” (PS), epidemiological case surveillance, analysis and investigation, notification, counseling and referral services of individuals exposed to, or at risk of, infection from chlamydia (CT), gonorrhea (GC), hepatitis, herpes simplex virus (HSV), syphilis, and other bacterial, viral or biological agents. Direct guidance and instruction on work methods, procedures and techniques are provided during specialized training and orientation. All activities are performed observing federal, state, departmental and County Health Department (CHD) Information Security and Confidentiality statues, rules, regulations, policies, Technical Assistance Guidelines (TAGs) and Internal Operating Procedures (IOPs).

Provides (PS) to a wide variety of individuals infected with, or at risk of, a sexually transmitted infection (as identified under duties and responsibilities above) to elicit partner and suspect information. Incumbent will use information for epidemiological analysis to identify the source and spread of cases related to the known infection(s). Conducts field investigations to locate and provide Field Directed Therapy to individuals infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea, tuberculosis, and/or to refer individuals infected with, or suspected to be at risk of, infection to STIs for counseling, medical evaluation and/or treatment. Observes the ingestion of medications (pre-packaged, single dose, individually labeled, client specific) in clinic or in the field by Directly Observed Therapy (DOT). Provides education of disease process and medication administration to clients. Performs case management activities as directed in the process of discovering and/or identifying infected individuals. These activities will include, but are not limited to, work prioritization and records documentation and management, clustering, HIV pre- & post-test counseling, visual case analysis and epidemiological techniques, data entry and/or other related activities related to documentation requirements for surveillance systems, such as MERLIN, FLSHOTS, HMS, STARS, etc. Completes required records and reports, including case management forms, laboratory request forms, travel reimbursement forms, HMC service codes, Employee Activity Report (EAR), etc. in accordance with current CHD and STI Program policies and/or procedures.

Disease Surveillance & Investigation (requires fieldwork):

• Timely & accurate investigation & follow-up of STIs or Tuberculosis.
• Collects laboratory reports, patient charts, providers in medical community, schools and other facilities to complete epidemiological disease reports on ill patients and contacts.
• May be required to collect lab specimens via phlebotomy procedure to send to BPHL (State lab) or other laboratories as indicated.
• Reaches out to all possible exposed partners or persons related to current investigative client.
• Serves as contact person for community partners (schools, providers, medical facilities, other healthcare community liaisons).
• Stays on top of faxed communication for notification of new case reports (checked multiple times per day).
• Obtains/arranges for collection of laboratory samples for confirmation of diagnoses for release of patients to occupations and schools.

Follow-Up on & investigate possible, rule-out, suspect & confirmed reportable diseases listed in 64D-3, Florida Administrative Code per Section 381.0031 F.S.

These are diseases & conditions which can impact public health in the community. Conditions include, but are not limited to, enteric diseases, vaccine preventable disease, meningitis, hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, parasitic diseases, zoonotic diseases, bioterrorism agents and toxins.

Communicates with, and visits public and private clinics, healthcare facilities, physician’s offices, hospitals, laboratories and any other applicable health care provider to (1) obtain demographic, medical or other specific client information, including address, telephone numbers, place of employment, race, gender, date of birth, test results, diagnosis, treatment, etc. and/or to arrange medical evaluations and treatments for clients, (2) encourage reporting of cases and/or positive, reactive tests results, in accordance with FL statutes and administrative rules, (3) provide educational information, updates and patterns/trends to practitioners, with current diagnostic and treatment guidelines, disease trends and discuss their role in reducing the rate of infection for the community. Serve as the Liaison with private, medical, community & public partners, providing education where needed, and conducting testing and surveillance tasks. Working within the community may require the incumbent to participate on an “Epi Strike Team”, where incumbent may be deployed in/out of state for emergency incidents.

Incumbent may make hospital, correctional institute (PCSO), healthcare facility (LTAC), and/or home visits to:

• Complete epidemiological disease reports.
• Observe conditions & collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Provide disease teaching to those partners who request it on behalf of their staff.
• Counsel and recommend course of action, on mode of disease transmission, & preventative measures, as necessary.
• Coordinate prophylactic treatment or immunizations, as needed, including participation, coordination or facilitation of community outreach events.
• Provide technical assistance for the required reporting of communicable diseases and conditions in Putnam County (including but not limited to): assisting in outbreak management, analyze & produce final reports, including data entry in appropriate database (i.e. Merlin, HMS, FLSHOTS & newsletters regarding outbreaks, disease trends & prevention strategies.

Incumbent will coordinate activities of the Rabies Program, which includes post-exposure prophylaxis, bite report analysis and working closely with Animal Control, assisting with vaccine inventory & appropriate vaccines storage protocols, ensuring that PEP is available to clients when needed and always in stock, ensures clients sign the declination of services form if PEP is refused, & arranges for specimen testing for rabies with local veterinarian and state lab, if needed.

Coordinates activities of the Rabies Program, which includes post-exposure prophylaxis, bite report analysis, and working closely with Animal Control.

• Maintains vaccine inventory & appropriate vaccine storage protocols.
• Ensures PEP is available to clients when needed, and always in stock.
• Assures appropriate referral to medical provider, immunization program, or other facility for completion of Rabies Post-exposure vaccination series.
• Documents any refusal of services, or delayed treatment, by sending “refusal letter” to client after establishing case over the telephone, for the need for vaccination/PEP.
• Arranges for rabies specimen testing with local veterinarian, and state lab (if needed).

Attends all STD, Epidemiology and Communicable Disease meetings, trainings and calls, either in person, or with short travel required; these could occur weekly, monthly, quarterly and/or annually.

Prepares & presents educational, in-service presentations for schools, community, and staff.

Provides monthly, quarterly & annual reports of sexually transmitted infections, communicable diseases, and any other quality metric data, which may then require the incumbent to create and maintain an active Quality Improvement (QI) plan for needed improvement.

Develops reports, attends trainings, and actively participates on communicable disease conference calls related to STIs.

Develops & maintains active Quality Improvement (QI) plan for all communicable disease programs, including the sexually transmitted disease, epidemiology, & disease intervention programs. Incumbent will participate in the Health Departments CHIP/CHNA or Framework quality data analysis programs. 

Provide technical assistance, not considered part of routine daily duties, including but not limited to, public health awareness and emergency response situations. 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. Perform other duties as assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing, and analyzing data. 

Knowledge of medical information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat scientific diseases.

Knowledge of basic epidemiological principles and practices

Knowledge of basic computer skills, office equipment and epidemiology programs including Windows, Outlook, MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Epi info. 

Knowledge of People First, HMS, EARS, Merlin, Florida Shots, ESSENCE

Ability to conduct case investigation, reporting and follow up

Ability to communicate effectively with clients, staff and the community

Ability to deliver presentations to staff and the community

Ability to provide training to others

Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques

Ability to work independently

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments

Ability to document work products and complete reports

Qualifications:

Minimum – Bachelor Degree in biological, physical, natural or agricultural science, along with one (1) year of professional experience in biological, physical, natural, or agricultural sciences; Valid Driver’s License

Preferred – Bi-Lingual (Spanish), Florida Department of Health Experience, 1+ years experience in discussing sensitive, protected health information with patients, 1+ years providing disease-specific education to patients 

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 Putnam County

2801 Kennedy St

Palatka FL 32177

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.