State of Florida
OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64858236
State of Florida, Sarasota, Florida, United States, 34243
Position Information
Requisition No: 862901
Agency: Department of Health
Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64858236
Pay Plan: Temp
Position Number: 64858236
Salary: $30 - $35/HR
Posting Closing Date: 11/03/2025
Responsibilities The Regional HAI Epidemiologists have extensive knowledge of the principles of HAI/AR, public health surveillance and the application of epidemiological methods to HAI/AR organisms. This position conducts epidemiologic investigations, surveillance, and interventions related to HAI/AR organisms to support health care facilities and county health departments. They will provide overall HAI/AR assistance within their region.
Serve as subject matter expert on IPC practices, HAI organisms, public health surveillance and epidemiological investigations.
Provide timely infection prevention and control consultation to county health departments, health care organizations, and congregate settings.
Analyze, evaluate, research, and interpret scientific guidelines/protocols, policies, and regulations.
Utilize and review Florida’s surveillance system, Merlin, to track outbreaks and investigate AR, MDRO, and non-AR cases. Review NHSN reports to identify opportunities for improving emerging threat detection and making recommendations for health care facilities that have the greatest need for improvement based on surveillance data.
Support HAI/AR epidemiological investigations including outbreak or case creation in Merlin.
Prepare and send CRO alerts and C. auris rule out notifications to CHDs and facilities.
Support onsite prevention and response infection prevention and control assessments as needed, including a review of health care facilities infection prevention plans, direct observation of infection control practices using a standardized tool (e.g., ICAR), and surveillance capacity. Conduct follow‑up site assessments within 3 weeks of initial visit to ensure that the healthcare facility has implemented mitigation recommendations based on report findings.
Ensure findings from on‑site visits and summarize them in a report and/or tracking system, with key findings and recommendations provided to the participating healthcare facility. Submit completed reports into the appropriate HAI SharePoint folder and REDCap, if applicable.
Train, coordinate, review, and evaluate the activities of disease surveillance and investigations. Provide education and training to county health departments on conducting HAI investigations and response (e.g., ICARs, contaminated medical products, routine facility outbreaks, etc.).
Coordinate laboratory support for testing and typing of specimens and isolates in collaboration with Bureau of Public Health Laboratories (BPHL).
Collaborate with county health departments and health care facilities for improving outbreak detection and reporting.
Host regional meetings with county health department staff within their region.
Provide updates on investigations during Bureau of Epidemiology meetings.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of epidemiology, including an understanding of the effects of the interaction between populations, causative factors, and environment. Knowledge and understanding of program policies and administrative guidance related to surveillance and investigation of infectious and non‑infectious disease conditions. Knowledge of health care associated infections and infection control protocols. Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to communicate orally. Ability to analyze, evaluate, research and interpret scientific guidelines/protocols, policies, and regulations. Ability to coordinate meetings and trainings.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma
Preferred Qualifications
A master’s degree or higher in healthcare, public health, or related fields.
3 years of experience conducting on‑site and/or remote health care facility infection control assessments.
Certification in infection control preferred but not required.
Mission Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:
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 Innovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.
Collaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.
Accountability: We perform with integrity & respect.
Responsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.
Excellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.
Where You Will Work
Manatee
Sarasota
DeSoto
Charlotte
Lee
Highlands
Glades
Hendry
Collier
Benefits 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 .
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:
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 on 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, 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.
Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Industries Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Responsibilities The Regional HAI Epidemiologists have extensive knowledge of the principles of HAI/AR, public health surveillance and the application of epidemiological methods to HAI/AR organisms. This position conducts epidemiologic investigations, surveillance, and interventions related to HAI/AR organisms to support health care facilities and county health departments. They will provide overall HAI/AR assistance within their region.
Serve as subject matter expert on IPC practices, HAI organisms, public health surveillance and epidemiological investigations.
Provide timely infection prevention and control consultation to county health departments, health care organizations, and congregate settings.
Analyze, evaluate, research, and interpret scientific guidelines/protocols, policies, and regulations.
Utilize and review Florida’s surveillance system, Merlin, to track outbreaks and investigate AR, MDRO, and non-AR cases. Review NHSN reports to identify opportunities for improving emerging threat detection and making recommendations for health care facilities that have the greatest need for improvement based on surveillance data.
Support HAI/AR epidemiological investigations including outbreak or case creation in Merlin.
Prepare and send CRO alerts and C. auris rule out notifications to CHDs and facilities.
Support onsite prevention and response infection prevention and control assessments as needed, including a review of health care facilities infection prevention plans, direct observation of infection control practices using a standardized tool (e.g., ICAR), and surveillance capacity. Conduct follow‑up site assessments within 3 weeks of initial visit to ensure that the healthcare facility has implemented mitigation recommendations based on report findings.
Ensure findings from on‑site visits and summarize them in a report and/or tracking system, with key findings and recommendations provided to the participating healthcare facility. Submit completed reports into the appropriate HAI SharePoint folder and REDCap, if applicable.
Train, coordinate, review, and evaluate the activities of disease surveillance and investigations. Provide education and training to county health departments on conducting HAI investigations and response (e.g., ICARs, contaminated medical products, routine facility outbreaks, etc.).
Coordinate laboratory support for testing and typing of specimens and isolates in collaboration with Bureau of Public Health Laboratories (BPHL).
Collaborate with county health departments and health care facilities for improving outbreak detection and reporting.
Host regional meetings with county health department staff within their region.
Provide updates on investigations during Bureau of Epidemiology meetings.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of epidemiology, including an understanding of the effects of the interaction between populations, causative factors, and environment. Knowledge and understanding of program policies and administrative guidance related to surveillance and investigation of infectious and non‑infectious disease conditions. Knowledge of health care associated infections and infection control protocols. Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to communicate orally. Ability to analyze, evaluate, research and interpret scientific guidelines/protocols, policies, and regulations. Ability to coordinate meetings and trainings.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma
Preferred Qualifications
A master’s degree or higher in healthcare, public health, or related fields.
3 years of experience conducting on‑site and/or remote health care facility infection control assessments.
Certification in infection control preferred but not required.
Mission Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:
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 Innovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.
Collaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.
Accountability: We perform with integrity & respect.
Responsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.
Excellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.
Where You Will Work
Manatee
Sarasota
DeSoto
Charlotte
Lee
Highlands
Glades
Hendry
Collier
Benefits 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 .
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:
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 on 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, 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.
Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Industries Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr