OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64906042
Date: Jun 30, 2026
The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website (http://www.dms.myflorida.com/workforce\operations/human\resource\management/for\job\applicants/e\verify) .
Requisition No: 878411
Agency: Department of Health
Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64906042
Pay Plan: Temp
Position Number: 64906042
Salary: $34.00 Hourly
Posting Closing Date: 07/17/2026
Total Compensation Estimator Tool (https://compcalculator.myflorida.com/)
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
OPS OVERDOSE SURVEILLANCE EPIDEMIOLOGIST- OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64906042
COMMUNITY HEALTH-OPIOID PREVENTION
OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY
This is a full-time, in-office position.
This position requires you to work on site at one of our facilities located throughout Broward County
This is an OPS (Other Personal Services) positions and as such no paid time off is offered. Health benefits will be offered for full-time employment. OPS employees are eligible to participate in a deferred compensation plan.
We request that all applications be completed with People First - no faxed or mailed applications to the agency. Experience, education, and/or training used to meet the minimum qualifications and in response to the qualifying questions must be verifiable through information contained in your application.
When completing the online application, all gaps of employment or education greater than 90 days starting from high school must be explained (approximate date, month, and year) identifying company name or if unemployed. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Biological Scientist III is an OPS position working in the Overdose Data to Action: Limiting Overdose through Collaborative Actions in Localities (OD2A) program at the Florida Department of Health in Broward County (DOH Broward). This program is grant funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The position operates under the direct supervision of the OD2A Program Manager within the Division of Community Health.
The position requires utilization of complex epidemiologic analytic techniques and involves collection of information regarding individual case reports as well as participation in outbreak investigations. Through this position, DOH Broward will enhance the timeliness of morbidity and mortality data by conducting drug overdose surveillance using Florida's syndromic surveillance system (SyS), the Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (ESSENCE). ESSENCE is a bio surveillance system that collects emergency department chief complaint data from participating hospitals and urgent care centers to support detection and continuous monitoring of community health incidents, including the opioid epidemic.
Additionally, this position serves as a custodian of the communicable disease database and paper reports, maintains the integrity of epidemiological data, and supports organization and upkeep of the epidemiology work area.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Knowledge to investigate every opioid related chief complaint and spikes reported through ESSENCE.
Knowledge of how to initiate case investigations for reported diseases as directed, including field investigations and appropriate notifications.
Ability to contribute to the development and dissemination of local opioid related reports to public health partners.
Ability to prepare and deliver engaging oral and written presentations to health department staff and community partners.
Knowledge to lead ESSENCE for the OD2A program and provide technical assistance to Broward County's 16 acute care hospitals and 4 freestanding emergency departments participating in ESSENCE enhancements.
Ability to develop GIS mapping based on surveillance data to support epidemiological analysis.
Ability to maintain and update active Tableau dashboards.
Ability to serve as the lead ESSENCE and GIS user for the epidemiology section, supporting internal and external partners.
Ability to participate in teleconferences, EpiCom, and other meetings to share local, regional, and state information.
Ability to ensure effective health information management across multiple hospitals.
Ability to maintain experience with HIPAA and privacy/security of medical records.
Ability to maintain catalog medical records as required.
Collaborate with community healthcare providers to ensure compliance with communicable disease reporting requirements.
Knowledge to create and revise data collection instruments as needed.
Knowledge to conduct data quality assurance for initiatives across the program.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Possess a valid driver's license, free of major infractions and access to an automobile to be utilized for work purposes and willing to drive to multiple sites as required by program needs.
Bachelor's degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university.
Professional experience conducting data analysis.
Professional experience writing data reports.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university.
One (1) or more years of experience conducting epidemiological case investigations.
One (1) or more years of experience using ESSENCE.
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:
BROWARD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
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
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.
Location:
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, US, 33315
Nearest Major Market:Fort Lauderdale
Nearest Secondary Market:Miami
