San Mateo County

Description

San Mateo County Health is seeking an experienced and well-qualified Public Health Nurse-Communicable Disease Control Program. The mission of the Communicable Disease Control Program is to protect and promote the health of all County of San Mateo residents through surveillance, investigation, prevention and control of communicable diseases of public health significance, excluding tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases which are addressed by separate programs.

The current full-time vacancy is in the Public Health, Policy and Planning Division located in San Mateo, but will travel/drive throughout the County to perform the duties of the position.

The Public Health Nurse (PHN), under the administrative and clinical supervision of the Clinical Services Manager II-Nursing, will coordinate and provide disease control and prevention services to patients, case contacts, health care providers, institutions, organizations, and the community. These activities include, but are not limited to: case/contact and outbreak investigation and follow-up, provision of clinical services and immunizations, participation in development of communicable disease preparedness and control protocols and policies, and formulation of education, training, and written materials regarding communicable diseases.

The PHN will serve as an internal resource for communicable disease issues, as well serve as a resource to our external collaborative partners, such as health care providers, institutions, organizations, the public, and the community at large. These responsibilities include providing clinical perspective and guidance to personnel performing disease investigations.

Due to the nature of the Communicable Disease Control specialty, the PHN may on occasion be required to work during evenings, weekends, and holidays. The ability to independently conduct field investigations in a wide range of settings with individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds is critical. The position also requires sound critical thinking and decision-making skills, clinical and technical expertise, as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Investigate reportable communicable diseases as mandated by Title 17, California Code of Regulations §2500.
• Assist with outbreak investigations.
• Participate in on-call weekend PHN shift rotations providing consultation and guidance to providers and facilities reporting communicable diseases and outbreaks, and responding to inquiries after consultation with on-call Weekend Health Officer.
• Screen Confidential Morbidity Reports, lab reports and other information regarding communicable diseases received via fax, phone or electronically through the State of California CalREDIE system.
• Provide guidance and support to Communicable Disease Investigator (CDI) staff members involved in communicable disease investigations.
• Maintain collaborations with other local health jurisdictions, agencies and Health System divisions.
• Assist with out-of-jurisdiction communicable disease reporting to the appropriate jurisdiction.
• Participate in Officer of the Day phone consultation duties, fielding inquiries from health care providers, partners and the general public.
• Provide and coordinate a wide variety of disease control and prevention services to patients, case contacts, health care providers, institutions, organizations and communities throughout San Mateo County. This includes case and contact assessment, along with screening that may involve specimen collection (e.g., venipuncture, nasopharyngeal swab, stool specimen).
• Provide and participate in communicable disease education, presentations and in-services to professional and lay groups within the community upon request, when feasible.
• Participate in the development and maintenance of communicable disease information for staff, providers, institutions, organizations, communities and the general public.
• Assist with orientation of new staff, students, interns and preceptees to communicable disease control programs and activities.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate will have a background in Public Health Nursing, preferably with experience applying tools and strategies to control the spread of infectious diseases; a strong understanding of Title 17, California Code of Regulations §2500; experience conducting case and outbreak investigations; and experience presenting public health messages to community stakeholders. Spanish-speaking is preferred.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assess client's health status through history taking, observation and screening tests.
• Develop care plan including goals and time frames.
• Counsel, teach, and coordinate health and social services provided to client/family.
• Inform high risk group of resources and make referrals as appropriate.
• Document services and client's response to services.
• Provide limited therapeutic nursing care; administer medication and treatments, teaches self-care when appropriate.
• Participate in defining and addressing community health needs through consultation, recruitment of providers and development of resources.
• Participate in organizing clinics, staffs and manages clinics; perform physical assessments, screening tests.
• Participate in developing instruction materials.
• Keep statistical records, write reports.
• Assist with orientation instruction and guidance of community workers, and related personnel.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Licensure/Certification:

• California license as a Registered Nurse.
• California Certificate as a Public Health Nurse.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public health nursing, with emphasis on field and clinic activities.
• Problem solving through nursing process.
• Technical nursing procedures.
• Health and social services resources.
• Collaborative health planning with multi-disciplinary teams.

Skill/Ability to:

• Teach and counsel.
• Perform technical nursing procedures.
• Assess physical, psycho-social and nutritional needs.
• Assess community health needs.
• Teach and guide other health personnel and volunteers.
• Motivate people in positive health attitudes and behavior.
• Work effectively with multi-problem families.
• Problem solve.
• Make independent judgments and ability to work autonomously.
• Assume a leadership role in community health programs.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and orally.
• Be culturally sensitive.
• Be flexible to adapting to a changing environment.
• Organize communities regarding health matters.

Application/Examination

Anyone may apply. Current San Mateo County and San Mateo County Superior Court employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

The examination will consist of an interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or a screening committee may select those applicants whose education and/or experience appear to best meet the needs of the position based solely on the information provided in the application materials. Because of this screening process, all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

~ TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE ~

Final Filing Date: November 7, 2025, 11:59 PM

Application Screening: November 19, 2025

Combined Panel/Department Interviews: December 4, 2025

About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

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HR Analyst: Carolyn Burns (101725 (Public Health Nurse - F040)

We invite you to explore our Benefits-at-a-Glance (Download PDF reader) page for a snapshot of the comprehensive and competitive benefits available to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. From health and wellness to financial security, our benefits are designed to support you at every stage of your career. (Please note that benefits are subject to change.)

In addition to core benefits, the County is proud to offer a variety of wellness and professional development programs to help you grow both personally and professionally. Most of these enriching opportunities are available during work hours and come at no cost to you.

As a County employee, you’ll also be covered by the federal Social Security system, earning valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.

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