BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 64051808

Requisition No: 857513 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 64051808

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64051808 

Salary:  $45,870.50 

Posting Closing Date: 08/03/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Open Competitive Opportunity 

Specific Responsibilities:

This is a Biological Scientist Il position in the Northeast Health Center - STD / Viral Hepatitis program, responsible for implementing, maintaining, STD reporting, surveillance, and data management systems for the Palm Beach County STD Program. Works is performed under the supervision of Biological Scientist Ill - SES. This position requires independent judgment, initiative, applying general knowledge of business practices and skill in applying instructions to accomplish various job functions. Responsible for guiding and assigning Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) field and surveillance work.

This position is designated as a sensitive position and is required to maintain confidential information in accordance with the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) Palm Beach County Health Department (CHD) Information Security Policy, Protocols and Procedures. This position has access to confidential data and Critical Systems such as Surveillance Tools & Reporting System (STARS), Health Management System (HMS), Hepatitis Database. This position is classified as sensitive and governed by state and local confidentiality and security policies in accordance with Florida statutes 384 & 392, Florida Administration IOD-3, and Health Department guidelines, rules, and regulations. This position can view, update, and release confidential STD/HlV/Hepatitis laboratory results, case findings, and surveillance data.

Ensures notifiable STD's are reported by healthcare providers and laboratories in accordance with Florida statutes. Ensures positive tests for diseases are entered into the system. Communicates with providers, hospitals, laboratories, and other health care facilities to obtain demographic, laboratory, clinical or other specific information; arrange medical evaluations and treatments for a client; and/or provide information on current reporting requirements for communicable diseases. Record search various databases for verification and investigation of demographic and medical information. Analyzes cases and assigns promptly for field investigation.

Responsible for coordinating Electronic Reporting (ELR) cases and Electronic Faxes relating to gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV. Record and evaluate positive laboratory results and identify client locating information. Communicates with laboratories, public and private providers, and other community centers regarding STD history, treatment, and further locating information. Determines correct course of STD follow up and assigns cases to staff for field investigation. Ensure correct treatment and interview protocols are met. Allows an inquiry response time from providers prior to assignment. Ensures presence of confirmatory test prior to release or request one. Conducts field investigations to provide partner services to individuals infected with or at risk of STD including Hepatitis. Assists in analyzing congenital and maternal surveillance.

Initiates field records for follow up on public and private reported cases of STDs. Mails, emails, and E-fax updated reporting and treatment information to private providers and community organizations as needed and upon request. Responds to special requests and analysis of STD data. Maintains electronic files laboratories and of specialized records for STD and further contact investigation or follow up. Creates and performs statistical narrative reports as needed.

Participates in outreaches to provide education, screening, and referral servicers to those who have not been identified of being infected but are at high risk of having of acquiring these infections. Provides oral and written presentations to healthcare workers, clients, and the community. These activities may occur before, during or after normal working hours and/or on weekends or holidays, in a field, community or clinical setting.  Serves as a backup and performs fieldwork in the control and prevention of Tuberculosis (TB).

Cooperate with the Program Manager and Biological Scientists III in quality assurance reviews and training of new team members

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of communicable disease prevention.
• Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing and evaluating data.
• Knowledge of specimen collection methods and standard precautions.
• Ability to conduct field investigations and fact-finding interviews.
• Ability to analyze data.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, organize and coordinate work activities independently to accomplish. assignments.
• Ability to prepare records and reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Knowledge of computer applications/software.

Qualifications:

Licensure/registration/certification requirements: N/A

Other job-related requirements for this position: 

• 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 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.
• Valid Driver’s License

Working hours: (A) Daily from 8:00AM to 5:00PM (B) Total hours in workweek 40. 

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:

851 Avenue P, Riviera Beach, Fl 33404

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.