NURSING PROGRAM SPECIALIST - 64051351

Requisition No: 860740 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: NURSING PROGRAM SPECIALIST - 64051351

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64051351 

Salary:  AGENCY TO UPDATE 

Posting Closing Date: 09/12/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Open Competitive

NURSING PROGRAM SPECIALIST- EPIDEMIOLOGY- 051351

$72,000 – $77,000

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is varied and professional nursing work in the Communicable Disease Program for epidemiology and surveillance of reportable diseases and outbreaks. Training will be provided in the areas where it is deemed necessary. This position requires the knowledge of communicable diseases and works under the supervision of the Senior Community Health Nursing Supervisor.

Access to confidential records and computer access will be based on the need to know when involved in specific patient's care, billing activities, ordering prescribed medication or supplies, investigation of communicable disease reports, established quality improvement activities, i.e., peer review, records review audits, and investigation complaints.

Uses knowledge of quality improvement (QI) methods and processes to work with other staff to help identify opportunities for improvement and develop a culture of quality within DOH-Indian River; assists in improvement projects, as assigned .

Provides oversight and direction to the Epidemiology Program for the investigation, control and prevention of diseases and conditions of public health significance. Monitors and reviews case and outbreak investigation status to maintain situational awareness for disease prevalence and trends in the community. Provides direct epidemiological support by conducting disease and condition case and outbreak investigations, as needed. Provides quality assurance through review of case and outbreak investigation and data quality reports. Collaborates with EPI team, state TB physicians and nurse liaisons to support TB clients in Indian River County.

Monitors disease surveillance systems and other data sources (e.g., Merlin, ESSENCE, Biospatial, Epi-X, NASPHV listserv, ProMed, etc.). Maintains situational awareness regarding disease trends, emerging diseases, and outbreak detection. Collects and analyzes surveillance data to inform public health actions.

Develops and disseminates recommendations and informational materials on diseases of public health significance to Health Department staff, community partners and stakeholder as needed. Serves as liaison and point of contact for disease epidemiology for medical community partners. Monitors and analyzes population health data, including disease indicators, determinants and outcomes, to inform targeted prevention strategies in the community and to support strategic planning efforts.

Identifies educational, outreach, and procedural challenges and needs; develops tools to address improvements. Provides education on pertinent public health issues to Health Department staff.

Serves as designated information custodian for disease investigations, including cases, outbreaks, animal bite data and foodborne illness complaints.

Maintains access to confidential records and computer access on a need-to-know basis, when involved in specific patient's care, billing activities, ordering prescribed medications or supplies, investigating communicable disease reports, established quality improvement activities, i.e., peer review, records review, program evaluations, and complaint or incident investigations.

Covers for Supervisor in their absence.

Performs other related duties as required. Staffs and provides nursing care in the Special Needs Shelter upon activation during emergencies.

Serves in rotation as an on-call nurse. Private and county vehicle use may be required.

Qualifications:

Minimum - Masters Degree in Public Health, Registered Nurse and Certification in Infection Control

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:

1900 27th Street, Vero Beach, Fl  32960

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.

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.