Public Health Nurse I

Public Health Nurse I

Salary

$150,028.32 - $181,731.68 Annually

Location

Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-S50-A

Department

Public Health

Opening Date

10/29/2026

Closing Date

11/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

05

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Under supervision, to apply systems-level thinking from knowledge of nursing, social, and public health sciences to provide public health nursing services in diverse settings, including homes, clinics, hospitals, schools, agencies, and community settings as required by the assigned program area.

Typical Tasks

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Provides nursing services to individuals by assessing, diagnosing, planning for, implementing, and evaluating appropriate nursing care;
• Assists individuals and families in following medical provider recommendations;
• Recognizes attitudes and cultural patterns that are detrimental to health and guides families towards desirable changes through a trauma-informed lens;
• Teaches and counsels individuals, families, and groups regarding specific diseases, health conditions, and health maintenance;
• Participates in various clinics by interviewing and counseling clients;
• Assists individuals and families to identify their needs and establish their goals and refers them to appropriate community agencies and clinics for specialized services;
• Coordinates care of clients with other public and private agencies;
• Collects specimens from clients, performs medical tests and reports test results, and administers injections and oral medications;
• Performs ongoing and follow-up evaluation to determine effectiveness of nursing care plan;
• Interprets 'medical providers' orders and assists families in following these orders;
• Utilizes health literacy concepts to improve the public's understanding of their health conditions, treatments, and self-care practices;
• Facilitates informed decision making and encourages families to identify the need for appropriate medical, psychiatric, hospital, or other care, as necessary;
• Performs defined technical/skilled nursing tasks;
• Recognizes the current Essential Public Health Services;
• Maintains documentation and prepares necessary reports;
• May provide guidance and direction to support staff;
• Attends appropriate staff meetings and in-service training sessions;
• May pursue appropriate job related educational courses;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required;*
• Performs other related work, as required.

Employment Standards

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through possession of a Bachelor's Degree, or higher, in Nursing.

Special Requirements

• Possess and maintain a valid License as a Registered Nurse issued by the State of California for the duration of employment in this classification.
• Possess and maintain a valid Certificate as a Public Health Nurse issued by the State of California for the duration of employment in this classification.
• Possession of a current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certificate.
• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and methods of public health nursing;
• Stages of nursing process and principles of trauma-informed care;
• Principles of case finding and case management in a variety of settings;
• Causes, transmission, prevention, control, and care required for communicable disease(s);
• Community resources and health agencies related to public health nursing;
• Uses and effects of medicines;
• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;
• Interviewing techniques;
• Common computer technology, system applications, and electronic medical record systems.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and deliver public health nursing services;
• Work effectively with clients and families to assist them with satisfactory resolution of health problems;
• Develop and maintain effective public relations with community organizations;
• Assess and analyze situations accurately and take appropriate action when working in the field alone and entering homes for client visits;
• Maintain sensitivity to cultural competency principles that are inclusive and representative of our community;
• Collect specimens and administer injections and medications;
• Provide treatment recommendations based on current clinical guidelines and best practices;
• Prepare accurate reports and documentation;
• Provide guidance and direction to support staff;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements may include:

• Lift objects weighing up to 15 pounds, squat, bend, and climb stairs;
• Ability to work alternate shifts and/or weekends.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more here.

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits

The County offers robust retirement plans including a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the CalPERS pension plan. In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account

The Health Flexible Spending Account (HFSA) empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)

The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the Employee Childcare Assistance Plan, an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D

The County offers life and disability benefits including Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, Long-Term Disability insurance, California State Disability Insurance, and Integration with Leave. These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness

The Employee Wellness Program offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement

A generous Learning and Employee Development program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.

01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete.

Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:

a) Employer name(s)

b) Job title(s)

c) Start/end dates of employment

d) Total hours worked per week

e) Description of task(s) performed

Do you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a bachelors degree or higher in Nursing?

• Yes
• No

03

If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please provide the name of the University attended, the level of degree completed, and the field of study. If none, please indicate N/A.

04

Do you possess a valid License as a Registered Nurse issued by the State of California?

• Yes
• No

05

Please provide your valid License Number and Expiration Date as a Registered Nurse issued by the State of California. If none, enter N/A

06

Do you possess a valid certificate as a Public Health Nurse issued by the State of California?

• Yes
• No

07

Please provide your Public Health Nurse Certificate Number and Expiration Date issued by the State of CA. If none, enter N/A.

08

Do you possess a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) Certificate?

• Yes
• No

09

Please provide your Basic Life Support (BLS) Certificate Number and Expiration Date. Please also attach a copy to your application. If none, enter N/A.

10

How many years of full-time experience do you possess as a Public Health Nurse, school nurse, home health nurse, community health nurse, or other relevant nursing experience equivalent to a Public Health Nurse with the County of Santa Clara?

• No experience
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten or more years

11

Please describe your full-time experience as a Public Health Nurse, school nurse, home health nurse, community health nurse, or other relevant nursing experience equivalent to a Public Health Nurse with the County of Santa Clara. Be detailed and specific and include employer name(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and a detailed description of duties performed. If none, enter N/A.

12

How many years of experience do you possess using electronic medical records systems?

• No Experience
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five years to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten or more years

13

Please describe your experience using electronic medical records systems. Be detailed and specific and include employer name(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and a detailed description of duties performed. If none, enter N/A.

14

Please select the area(s) in which you have professional level experience as it relates to Public Health Nursing (check all that apply):

• Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Program
• Communicable Disease Investigation
• Nurse Home Visits / Home Visitation
• Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
• Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care
• Other
• None of the above

15

For any of the selections made in the previous question, please describe your professional level experience as it relates to Public Health Nursing. In your response please include the name of your employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, hours worked per week, and a detailed description of duties performed. If you selected "None of the above", please indicate N/A.

16

Please indicate which languages you are fluent in (read, write, speak):

• Cambodian
• Cantonese (Chinese)
• Mandarin
• Spanish
• Vietnamese
• Tagalog
• English
• Other
• None of the above

17

How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

18

How did you find out about this job? If "Other" is selected: Please describe how you heard about this job.

Required Question

Employer County of Santa Clara

Address 70 W. Hedding Street

8th Floor, East Wing

San Jose, California, 95110

Phone (408) 299-6816

Website http://www.sccjobs.org/