BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64081234

State of Florida; Ocala (FL); On-site; USD 46,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Florida Department of Health, Marion County Health Department in Ocala, seeks a Biological Scientist III to conduct epidemiology-focused surveillance, data analysis, and disease control activities. The role involves field investigations, communication with health providers, and training of staff in surveillance methods.

The incumbent will work under supervision, applying epidemiology and biostatistics to control outbreaks and inform public health decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biological or health sciences or relevant work experience.
• Experience with epidemiology, biostatistics, and data interpretation is preferred.
• Public health knowledge and ability to communicate findings clearly are essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct countywide communicable disease surveillance and data analysis using ESSENCE and Merlin.
• Perform field investigations, interviews, and data collection to identify at-risk individuals.
• Provide training and outreach on surveillance techniques to staff and partners.
• Support surveillance reporting, publication, and communication of findings to stakeholders.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Strong communication skills

Educating clients on diseases

Reporting on statistics

Public speaking

Investigating reportable diseases

Fact-finding interviews

Health investigations

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological/health sciences

Job description

Preferred

Bilingual English/Spanish

Requisition No: 886649
Agency: Department of Health
Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64081234
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 64081234
Salary: $45,900.00 - $48,450.00 annually
Posting Closing Date: 11/06/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPEN COMPETITIVE

Your Specific Responsibilities

The incumbent is responsible for conducting ongoing countywide surveillance activities and providing essential analytic and evaluative support to strengthen the surveillance 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. The position is also responsible for data collection, data analysis and the communication of findings. The incumbent is required to have a reliable source of personal transportation to fulfill the responsibilities of this position. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological or health sciences or relevant work experience is required. The incumbent will be in an Epidemiologist position and will perform training of new Epidemiology employees as directed by the Epidemiology Nursing Supervisor. This position is under the supervision of the Nurse Manager I.

Communicable Disease Identification, Investigation and Control

Manages a diseased patient caseload, including interviewing patients; conducts field investigations, identifies other persons at risk; performs case analysis, and prepares documents relative to the epidemiological or disease control process. Provides disease intervention services. Makes recommendations and implements control measures per FDOH – Marion County standard operating procedures, state guidelines, statutes and CDC guidelines. Confers with supervisor and administration on recommendations. Conducts follow-up interviewing, investigation and other intervention procedures. Coordinates visitation to medical provider and laboratory offices, hospitals, schools, or other sites of illnesses and/or outbreaks. Monitors infectious disease reports and provides follow-up on positive lab results with private medical providers in the community. Conducts case investigations which may include emerging and highly infectious diseases. Collaborates with other health department staff, infection control practitioners in hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities for the identification, investigation, and control of infectious diseases.

Surveillance

Maintains a surveillance program to ensure timely and accurate reporting of diagnosed infections and positive laboratory evidence. The incumbent performs data analysis and management using ESSENCE, Merlin data systems, and other surveillance databases as needed. Coordinates surveillance activities around outbreak prevention and response strategies within health department response plan and in collaboration with other public health programs. Performs data entry in Merlin and other appropriate databases. Performs analysis, and evaluation for the prevention and control of communicable diseases including but not limited to: food borne and waterborne illnesses and general infectious diseases, including influenza (seasonal and pandemic). Prepares surveillance reports, data summaries, and other written documentation for publication, presentation, or dissemination. Creates graphs and charts to illustrate data.

Education and Outreach

Provides training and consultation to staff on surveillance techniques, interventions, and surveillance systems. Adapts training and education practices to the needs of diverse populations. Provides related training to county health department staff, other agency staff, and population-based in epidemiological or disease control programs. Provides information on the prevention, transmission, surveillance, and control of infectious diseases to community, clients, or health care professional groups. Attends meetings with community partners to share and yield vital information. Consults with and advises health care providers, educators, researchers, and others regarding applications of field epidemiology, surveillance data, socio-cultural interventions, and important health alerts. Performs community presentations as necessary on specific diseases and outbreaks.

Other

Promotes personal and profession growth, and the Agency’s mission, by participating in required training. Performs other related duties as assigned, including aiding in response to and recovery following natural or human-made disasters.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews.
• Ability to conduct health investigations.
• Ability to analyze data.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work activities.
• Ability to prepare records and written reports.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to identify community resources.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to express thoughts clearly in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to listen and understand the views of others.
• Ability to maintain self-confidence and control emotional reactions when relating to others in a group or one‑on‑one so effective communication can occur.
• Ability to understand and appropriately apply procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.
• Ability to make decisions while exhibiting judgment and a realistic understanding of issues; ability to use reason, even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Ability to recognize and value the benefits in the diversity of people, ideas, and cultures.
• Ability to manage a variety of responsibilities in a timely, efficient manner.
• Ability to weigh alternative courses of action and make decisions that reflect factual information and are based on rational and logical assumptions that take organizational resources into consideration.
• Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing, and analyzing data.

Qualifications

MINIMUM-

• Strong communication skills
• Experience educating clients on diseases
• Experience with reporting on statistical findings and producing data
• Experience with public speaking
• Experience investigating reportable diseases

Preferred-

• Bilingual English/Spanish
• Working knowledge of Public Health, specifically Epidemiology
• Ability to prioritize between assignments

Experience Speaking With Other Medical Professionals Regarding Patients

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.

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

MARION COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
1801 SE 32ND AVE OCALA FLORIDA 34471

Benefits

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 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, 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.

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.