EPIDEMIOLOGIST III - 64002602

Requisition No: 855380 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: EPIDEMIOLOGIST III - 64002602

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64002602 

Salary:  $49,584.67-$75,191.06 

Posting Closing Date: 07/11/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position works as a county epidemiologist responsible for communicable disease investigations for the Florida Department of Health in Nassau - Epidemiology Program. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Senior Comm Health Nursing Dir-SES. Responsibilities include epidemiologic investigations, contact tracing and implementation of control measures; surveillance, data analysis and generation of reports; and other duties including participating in outreaches and providing education to the community and providers. This position may also assist in investigating diseases of environmental origin and perform joint investigations with Environmental Health team. The incumbent will conduct outbreak investigations and perform field visits to homes, schools, hospitals, daycare and other entities. The incumbent will assure timely and accurate investigation and follow up of reportable communicable diseases and conditions.  This role includes on-call duties for disease reporting and guidance. This position is delegated as a Career Service position that is eligible for on-call pay per any applicable collective bargaining agreement.  All of the following duties require accuracy, safety, positive customer and team interactions, and adherence to protocol, policies, and procedures at all times.

 Public Health Competency Domain 1: Analytical/Assessment skills 

Public Health Competency Domain 2: Policy development/Program planning skills

Public Health Competency Domain 3: Communication skills

Public Health Competency Domain 6: Public Health Sciences skills

Public Health Competency Domain 7: Management skills

Public Health Competency Domain 8: Leadership and Systems Thinking skills

• Provides a broad range of services in the Epidemiology Program as a county epidemiologist.  Assists with the required reporting of communicable diseases and conditions in Nassau County.  Coordinates, investigates and controls outbreaks of suspected diseases in the community.
• Conducts epidemiological investigations and provides appropriate entities information relative to disease transmission.  Provides information to facilities such as schools, daycares, and nursing homes.
• Participates in the investigation of environmental health threats by collecting and analyzing health and environmental data, preparing interpretation of findings and disseminating recommended prevention and control measures.  Conducts investigations on diseases of environmental origin such as but not limited to infections caused by waterborne, foodborne, heavy metals and other environmental agents. Performs field assessments and investigations along with the Environmental Health and Regional teams.
• Provides either consultative or tactical expertise to assist in the identification, investigation and control of incidents, situations or occurrences which may endanger public health. This may include conducting an epidemiologic assessment and providing infection control training.
• Creates reports using local, state and federal data.  Assists in the health assessment of the county and its sub-populations using epidemiological and biostatistical reporting tools.
• Analyzes data for outbreaks and communicable disease surveillance reports using advanced programming techniques such as Excel, SAS or SPSS.  Monitors and follows up on several state and local data reporting sources, including hospital, clinical and laboratory data.
• Responds to biological events within an incident command structure under an emergency support function and in state and local law enforcement/emergency services events.
• Uses existing and implements new queries in the syndromic disease surveillance system (ESSENCE-FL) to assist in identifying non-reported reportable diseases and potential outbreaks.  Monitors and follows up on syndromic disease reporting activities for evidence of biologic events that may be linked to terrorism or potential disease outbreaks.  Analyzes and provides comparative data and syndromic disease reports from peer counties and from available national syndromic reporting systems.
• Assists the health officer and program director in formulating responses to the community regarding communicable disease outbreaks and attends meetings with state and local officials regarding public health issues.  Summarizes and reports assessment information in compliance with reportable disease requirements and to in-house stakeholders.  Assists in preparation of grant proposals and other documentation required for securing funds for program needs. 
• Prepares, proofreads, edits, and/or routes correspondence to internal and external partners, as well as other entities with accuracy and promptness. This will include journal articles, publications and spreadsheets.
• Develops assessment and assurance monitoring systems in collaboration with health department management and with community stakeholders.  Attends and/or facilities meetings and attends conferences representing the department.  Appears at public meetings, lectures to groups as requested and assists with preparation of public service announcements and statements to the media.
• Communicates in writing, in person, and through electronic means concisely and positively. Takes initiative to multi-task with accuracy. Communicates and solves problems appropriately. Exhibits and maintains a positive attitude while working independently and in a team setting. Provides quality educational opportunities and training for students.
• Works with the management team, physicians, nurses, disease intervention specialists and other staff to develop and provide an interdisciplinary team approach to case management.  Participates in quality improvement activities. Attends staff meetings, in-services, seminars and trainings for self-improvement, increased competency, and retention of skills. Participates in orientation and staff development programs for persons working in the Epidemiology Program.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of epidemiology and disease control.
• Knowledge of statistical methods and applications
• Ability to evaluate and interpret epidemiological and statistical data pertaining to the control of communicable diseases.
• Knowledge of Merlin, ESSENCE, CDC Epi Info and other epidemiologic applications.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office and Statistical Software including Excel and SAS or SPSS.
• Ability to perform public speaking.
• Tactful interpersonal, interviewing, and organizational skills
• Ability to explain the principles of exposure, infection, infectious period, high-risk interactions, symptoms of diseases, and prevention and control interventions.
• Ability to present information clearly and concisely orally and in writing.

Qualifications:

Minimum-

• Master’s degree from an accredited college of university with a major in one of the physical or natural sciences, environmental health or public health.
• At least two years of related professional experience.
• Knowledge of surveillance protocols and data collection techniques for disease monitoring and investigation.
• Ability to utilize appropriate terminology, principles, and techniques used in epidemiological research, analysis, data collection, and data management.
• A valid Driver’s license.

Preferred-

• 2 or more years of professional experience conducting epidemiologic investigations, health surveillance, or public health data analysis.
• Demonstrated experience working with surveillance systems (e.g., MERLIN, ESSENCE, STARS, public health databases, and clinical or community health datasets.

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:

Yulee Clinic

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.

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.