OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64952543

Requisition No: 863859 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64952543

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 64952543 

Salary:  $25 hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 11/05/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS- Biological Scientist IV- EHE Strategic Planner and Coordinator

The incumbent is part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health-Pinellas County in their mission to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts and its vision of being the Healthiest State in the Nation. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to incorporate the agency values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness and Excellence in all aspects of their work. This is a highly independent and responsible position in the HIV/AIDS program with direct responsibility to the HIV/AIDS Program Manager. This position will serve as the strategic planner responsible for the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative.

This position is responsible for the following tasks and benchmarks (including but not limited to):

Coordinate Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant activities across Pinellas County

• Applicant will serve as coordinator for Pinellas County EHE grant activities and will serve on all EHE community messaging surrounding the initiative.
• Responsible for coordination of project activities, support of project-specific meetings, and development and implementation of community engagement strategies.
• The Consultant, in collaboration with HIV/AIDS management and EHE team members, will be responsible for implementing the required strategies, activities and outcomes associated with this statewide initiative.
• The Consultant will work closely with all Department staff involved in the EHE planning and implementation as well as Pinellas community members, HIV prevention and care providers, and other community stakeholders.
• Track and Document all the deliverables for EHE grantees and provide reports and updates for EHE planning
• Present regular updates to program leadership and Pinellas EHE Council
• Provide technical assistance with community engagement and implementation to local partners
• Convene at least quarterly meetings/workgroups of the HIV EHE Council to review activities in EHE plan and to assess feasibility of programmatic implementation
• Ensures the consideration of the role of cultural, social, and behavioral factors in the accessibility, availability, acceptability, and delivery of services
• Participate in training opportunities to orient, prepare, and expand understanding of STD and HIV in Pinellas

Increase education and awareness in the County

• Plan and collaborate with DOH outreach teams and community partners to develop, facilitate, and staff outreach events to provide education, awareness, and services to key populations impacted by the HIV epidemic.
• Identify additional training opportunities throughout the community to increase the awareness and the scope of the problem.
• Provide technical assistance in the implementation of a comprehensive program of community engagement that includes the use of social media and other technologies to assure partnership with local communities most heavily impacted by HIV in the implementation of strategies and activities to end the HIV epidemic
• Identify and continue engagement of stakeholders with extensive experience working with key populations to participate in EHE planning and implementation
• Ensures and coordinates a variety of communication channels to disseminate relevant information
• Coordinates and interfaces assigned program services with other departments within the health department and with other community agencies through direct communication and conference attendance. 
• Represent the planning team during community meetings and/or forums.

Identify additional data to support operational activities

• Help to implement and maintain the EHE monitoring and evaluation plan.
• Effectively utilize the qualitative and quantitative evaluation tools during monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Monitor EHE Data Dashboards for updates.
• Monitor, analyze and evaluate community participant survey data to make recommendations to improve EHE efforts.

Identify additional strategic planning opportunities

• Employ strategic planning skills and QA/QI skills for effective program management
• Send pertinent information to EHE council members through the active campaign service
• Keep track of and report on updates to strategic goals (e.g. % or rate of decrease or increase).
• Identify ways to also incorporate STD prevention elements into overall plan
• Develop and implement previous ideas for closing gaps, reducing barriers, and identifying additional planning needs (e.g. how to promote testing services in community, mobile units, etc.)

Identify and Increase targeted HIV/AIDS prevention messages

• Identify and/or implement marketing and advertising ideas within high-risk communities (e.g. using light poles, health information at clubs, etc)
• Coordinate with Research & Surveillance staff to development STD, Disease Control, and HIV-related materials that are beneficial to strategic planning process (e.g. infographics)
• Create “articles” or educational pieces that can be used in the newspaper or for press releases.

Assist with additional needs of the HIV/AIDS program

• Provide technical assistance and quality assurance assistance to HIV surveillance and linkage programs in relation to the community health department strategic improvement plan
• Collaborate with PrEP Navigator, internal DOH staff and external CBOs to coordinate PrEP education and increase uptake of PrEP in priority populations
• Develop and maintain relationships with unconventional community-based organizations and partners such as OBGYNs, faith-based organizations, general businesses 

Other duties as assigned.  Provides back up to other members of the Division of Disease Control and Health Protection as assigned to an operations level. This may include but is not limited to: Direct Observed Therapy (DOT), outreach efforts, immunization clinics, disease investigations and traveler monitoring.

Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:

• Ability to organize data into logical format for presentation in reports, documents and other written materials.
• Knowledge of program evaluation and program effectiveness. Knowledge of basic management principles and practices.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments. Ability to collect, evaluate and analyze data to develop alternative recommendations, solve problems, document work flow and other activities relating to the improvement of operational and management practices.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to operational and management analysis activities
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and when to use each.
• Ability to operate a computer and software programs such as MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to develop manuals, policies, procedures, standards, flow charts and rules.
• Ability to use logic and critical thinking; regardless of the mission. Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to work independently.
• Skills in active listening and facilitation.
• Skills in strategic planning, quality assurance, quality improvement.
• Skills in public speaking.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid driver’s license

Preferred

Bachelor’s or Master Degree in Public Health. 

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:

Department of Health in Pinellas County

205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr St N,

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

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.