State of Florida
BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64065778
State of Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States, 33739
Requisition No: 864830
Agency: Department of Health
Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64065778
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 64065778
Salary: $46,897.26 Annually
Posting Closing Date: 11/10/2025
Biological Scientist III This is an in‑office position within the Division of Disease Control and Health Protection. The incumbent is responsible for conducting ongoing countywide investigation and surveillance activities while providing essential analytic and evaluative support to strengthen disease prevention efforts of the Agency and the wider community.
The incumbent will provide communicable disease surveillance services, applying the principles of epidemiology and biostatistics in case‑finding, assessment, epidemiological determination, planning, and intervention to control the spread of disease.
Responsibilities include: Performs investigation, data entry, and follow‑up for the prevention and control of communicable diseases including, but not limited to, reportable diseases, foodborne and waterborne illnesses, general infectious diseases, and influenza (seasonal and pandemic). The incumbent performs daily surveillance, data analysis, and management using ESSENCE, Merlin data systems, Epi Gateway, and other databases as needed.
Specific tasks include:
Follow up on all Electronic Laboratory Reports (ELR) and Faxed reports as assigned to include collecting basic demographics and clinical information on suspected cases, confirming diagnosis, determining probable source of infection, determining mode of transmission, determining extent of spread, and recommending appropriate control measures.
Coordinate therapeutic or prophylactic treatment as needed.
Collect and transmit appropriate laboratory specimens for diagnostic study.
Monitor clients and susceptible clients during potentially infectious period or period of probable onset for proper follow‑up on control measures.
Maintains adequate records of essential information relevant to the communicable disease investigation.
Provides communicable disease alerts as necessary to contain the spread of communicable diseases.
Collaborates with infection control practitioners in hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities for the identification, investigation, and control of infectious diseases.
Prepares surveillance reports, data summaries, and other written documentation for publication, presentation, or dissemination. Creates graphs and charts to illustrate data.
Conduct studies and investigations related to outbreaks of public health significance.
Performance Expectations
Completes case investigations for selected reportable conditions as outlined in Bureau of Epidemiology Snapshot within 14 days of report to maintain unit performance measure of 75% or better compliance.
Completes case investigations to ensure compliance with communicable disease reporting with a 30% or less error rate in Merlin Data Quality.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of methods of data collection and analysis, including the ability to access and extract information from multiple databases.
Knowledge of public health policies and public health laws to include but not limited to information security and HIPAA.
Skills in computer software programs used to facilitate job duties such as Microsoft Office Suite, Epi Info, SAS and/or SPSS.
Skills in extracting and preparing data and information into logical format for presentation in reports, documents, and other written materials that suit the needs of a variety of users.
Ability to design and conduct evaluation activities and statistical surveys.
Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments and manage multiple projects.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships both internally and in the community.
Ability to work independently using critical thinking and logic.
Ability to use problem solving techniques.
Minimum Qualifications
High School Diploma
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree
Master of Public Health or Master of Science in Public Health degree OR currently pursuing an MPH or MSPH
One (1) year of experience with epidemiology, communicable disease programs, and/or public health surveillance
Experience reviewing laboratory results or medical records
Experience with public speaking and/or education outreach activities
Benefits
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
Flexible Spending Accounts
Tuition waivers
And more
For more information, visit www.myfrs.com
For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com
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.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
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Agency: Department of Health
Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64065778
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 64065778
Salary: $46,897.26 Annually
Posting Closing Date: 11/10/2025
Biological Scientist III This is an in‑office position within the Division of Disease Control and Health Protection. The incumbent is responsible for conducting ongoing countywide investigation and surveillance activities while providing essential analytic and evaluative support to strengthen disease prevention efforts of the Agency and the wider community.
The incumbent will provide communicable disease surveillance services, applying the principles of epidemiology and biostatistics in case‑finding, assessment, epidemiological determination, planning, and intervention to control the spread of disease.
Responsibilities include: Performs investigation, data entry, and follow‑up for the prevention and control of communicable diseases including, but not limited to, reportable diseases, foodborne and waterborne illnesses, general infectious diseases, and influenza (seasonal and pandemic). The incumbent performs daily surveillance, data analysis, and management using ESSENCE, Merlin data systems, Epi Gateway, and other databases as needed.
Specific tasks include:
Follow up on all Electronic Laboratory Reports (ELR) and Faxed reports as assigned to include collecting basic demographics and clinical information on suspected cases, confirming diagnosis, determining probable source of infection, determining mode of transmission, determining extent of spread, and recommending appropriate control measures.
Coordinate therapeutic or prophylactic treatment as needed.
Collect and transmit appropriate laboratory specimens for diagnostic study.
Monitor clients and susceptible clients during potentially infectious period or period of probable onset for proper follow‑up on control measures.
Maintains adequate records of essential information relevant to the communicable disease investigation.
Provides communicable disease alerts as necessary to contain the spread of communicable diseases.
Collaborates with infection control practitioners in hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities for the identification, investigation, and control of infectious diseases.
Prepares surveillance reports, data summaries, and other written documentation for publication, presentation, or dissemination. Creates graphs and charts to illustrate data.
Conduct studies and investigations related to outbreaks of public health significance.
Performance Expectations
Completes case investigations for selected reportable conditions as outlined in Bureau of Epidemiology Snapshot within 14 days of report to maintain unit performance measure of 75% or better compliance.
Completes case investigations to ensure compliance with communicable disease reporting with a 30% or less error rate in Merlin Data Quality.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of methods of data collection and analysis, including the ability to access and extract information from multiple databases.
Knowledge of public health policies and public health laws to include but not limited to information security and HIPAA.
Skills in computer software programs used to facilitate job duties such as Microsoft Office Suite, Epi Info, SAS and/or SPSS.
Skills in extracting and preparing data and information into logical format for presentation in reports, documents, and other written materials that suit the needs of a variety of users.
Ability to design and conduct evaluation activities and statistical surveys.
Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments and manage multiple projects.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships both internally and in the community.
Ability to work independently using critical thinking and logic.
Ability to use problem solving techniques.
Minimum Qualifications
High School Diploma
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree
Master of Public Health or Master of Science in Public Health degree OR currently pursuing an MPH or MSPH
One (1) year of experience with epidemiology, communicable disease programs, and/or public health surveillance
Experience reviewing laboratory results or medical records
Experience with public speaking and/or education outreach activities
Benefits
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
Flexible Spending Accounts
Tuition waivers
And more
For more information, visit www.myfrs.com
For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com
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.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
#J-18808-Ljbffr