Public Health Nurse I/II

CURRENT VACANCY IS WITHIN THE SHASTA COUNTY

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH

ORAL EXAM IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 2025

SEE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENT” SECTION REGARDING 

POSSESSION OF VALID REGISTERED NURSE LICENSE,

CERTIFICATE, AND CALIFORNIA DRIVERS LICENSE

RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED

FINAL FILING DATE: FEBRUARY 13, 2025 AT 12:00 PM

SALARY INFORMATION

Public Health Nurse I: $36.18 - $46.17 APPROXIMATE HOURLY

Public Health Nurse II: $41.88 - $53.46 APPROXIMATE HOURLY

ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY

Shasta County offers all of the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small town atmosphere.  With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Health and Human Services Agency

The Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) partners with communities to protect and improve the health and well-being of Shasta County residents. Established in 2006, the HHSA is organized into four branches: Behavioral Health & Social Services, Public Health, Economic Mobility, with a centralized Administration Services. The HHSA promotes optimal health for all. The frail, the abused, the mentally ill and those without resources look to the HHSA for services and resources to meet their basic needs, and to protect their health and safety. This transformation improves efficiency, avoids unnecessary duplication of effort, encourages collaboration among programs and organizes the HHSA’s services to be more responsive to the needs of the public.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Public Health Nurse I:

Under close supervision, to perform public health nursing, teaching and health guidance services in homes, clinics, and a wide variety of community settings in connection with health promotion and the prevention and control of disease or disability; to participate in assessment of the community that leads to development and implementation of sound health policy that improves the health outcomes of the citizenry of Shasta County; and to perform related work as required.

Public Health Nurse II:

Under general supervision, to perform public health nursing, teaching and health guidance services in homes, clinics, and a wide variety of community settings in connection with health promotion and the prevention and control of disease or disability; to participate in assessment of the community that leads to development and implementation of sound health policy that improves the health outcomes of the citizenry of Shasta County; and to perform related work as required.

Extra help positions are hourly employees that may work up to 900 hours in a fiscal year (July 1-June 30). Benefits are not included.

The vacant position is within the child welfare program, specifically the Foster Care Nursing Unit.  Within this program, the tasks of the Public Health Nurse I/II include but are not limited to conducting medical health history interviews, providing health information to clients, collection and review of medical health information, entry of medical records, and health care planning.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Behavioral Health and Social Services Branch Foster Care Nursing Unit is looking for a Public Health Nurse I/II, who has a desire to work with Foster Parents, Relative Caregivers, and infants, children, and youth in out-of-home placement in Shasta County. The ideal candidate has adult and/or pediatric experience, understands all aspects of child and adolescent development, and works well with vulnerable or medically fragile populations. The ideal candidate should possess excellent communication skills, both orally and written. The candidate will be comfortable with communicating directly with clients, referring clients to resources, and collaborating with medical providers, dental providers, and community partners. The candidate must be able to work autonomously as well as collaboratively within a team.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Public Health Nurse I: 

This is an entry-level class for Registered Nurses who have recently been certificated as a Public Health Nurse or those who have been out of practice for a number of years.   Incumbents apply the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities in learning to perform the full scope of public health nursing duties.

Public Health Nurse II:

This is the journey and fully qualified professional level of the Public Health Nursing series in which incumbents have demonstrated competence to assume broad responsibilities requiring independence and professional judgment in assessing individual, family, and community health needs, and in planning and evaluating public health nursing activities.

Public Health Nurse I:

Elicits health and social histories of individuals and families through use of observation and effective interviewing skills; participates in the promotion of maternal, child, adolescent and adult health; identifies health care needs through physical assessments; assesses developmental level and nutritional status of infants and children; recognizes the significance of abnormal findings; helps individuals and groups change their health behavior through discussions that highlight their specific health knowledge, attitudes, and skills; provides case management services based on assessment of the comprehensive health needs of the individual and family; identifies cultural patterns influencing community health practices, increases access of hard-to-reach populations to public health and other services, and assists in increasing the cultural competency of staff and the Health and Human Services Agency as an organization; teaches and counsels individuals, families, and groups regarding specific diseases or health conditions as well as health maintenance; investigates instances of possible abuse and notifies appropriate agencies; investigates and monitors cases of communicable disease, obtains specimens, interprets laboratory results, determines sources and contacts to prevent the spread of communicable disease; compiles and uses records, reports, and statistical information for appraisal and planning; attends required meetings and trainings; and performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Public Health Nurse II:

Plans, organizes, and provides public health nursing services, including assessment, intervention, referral, and follow up of persons at high risk of complications throughout antepartum and postpartum periods, child rearing, infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood; assesses children and adults to assure early detection and referral of health conditions deviating from normal; provides tailor-made personal, preventive, and community health services to targeted populations in need; teaches individuals and groups about disease and disability prevention, and health promotion; participates in epidemiological investigations for control of communicable and chronic diseases; interacts with all aspects of the community--individual, family, agency, business, and professional; develops and implements community projects as an outgrowth of issues identified during public health nursing practice; mobilizes the community to develop partnerships and alliances to address identified high-priority community health needs; evaluates health of special population groups, such as the elderly, the culturally, economically, or geographically disadvantaged, or those with alternate life styles; identifies cultural patterns influencing community health practices, increases access of hard-to-reach populations to public health and other services, and increases the cultural competency of staff and the Health and Human Services Agency as an organization; keeps accurate, concise, and legally-appropriate records and reports; effectively uses records, reports, and statistical information for appraisal and planning; attends required meetings and trainings; with certified sexually transmitted disease (STD) training and supervision, may be assigned to perform STD exams, including moderate complexity laboratory tests;  prioritizes multiple tasks, exercises effective time management, and manages workload and personal stress well; may assume delegated responsibility for the work of the Program Supervisor or the Program Manager in the absence of either; and may supervise a small number of other department staff, interns, or volunteers.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:

Public Health Nurse I:

Knowledge of: Skilled nursing as applied to public health practices; promoting health and the prevention of disease and disability; general nursing skills in the areas of maternal, child, and adult health; child growth and development; nutritional needs of all ages; normal and abnormal health conditions and health behavior; teaching, counseling, interviewing, and history taking; case management; epidemiology and methods for the control of communicable diseases; community resources and how to utilize them; environmental, sociological, cultural, policy, and psychological issues influencing health; current developments in public health nursing; ordinances, rules and regulations governing public health services and nursing practices; basic economics for delivery of health care; workload management and management of personal stress; and the work of other social and health agencies, and functions of other professions as related to public health nursing.

Ability to: Exercise independent judgment to plan, organize, and problem solve; manage time effectively; adapt to various cultural, physical and behavioral conditions of patients and environment; teach individuals and groups; seek and use appropriate resource materials; work effectively with individuals, families, groups, agencies, and coalitions to assist in the satisfactory solution of health problems; recognize and respect the impact of cultural differences on health behavior and practices; perform assessments, interviews, and gather needed information to reach appropriate nursing diagnosis; make appropriate referrals to community resources; provide adequate follow up to help maximize use of resources; perform clinical tasks such as venipuncture, injections, and dispensing medications; keep accurate, concise and legally appropriate records and reports; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with health and other professionals, paraprofessionals, agencies, community groups, and the general public; communicate effectively orally and in writing; and actively promote the Department’s mission and its population-based health outcomes orientation.

Minimum Qualifications:

Possession of a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from an accredited program.

Public Health Nurse II:

Knowledge of:  Skilled nursing as applied to public health practice; control and prevention of communicable and chronic disease; maternal, child, adolescent, and adult health; prevention of abuse, neglect, and violence throughout the age continuum; prevention of injuries; learning, teaching, interviewing, counseling, and problem solving; normal growth and development including the aging process; impact of nutrition at all age levels; community resources and methods to mobilize and access them; case management; work of other social and health agencies, and functions of other professions as related to public health practice; literature and trends in public health nursing and the general field of public health as a whole; environmental, sociological, cultural, psychological, political and policy issues influencing health; and funding sources and cost of health care.

Ability to:  Assess comprehensive health needs of children and adults; problem solve and case manage individuals or families with complex problems and health issues; identify and respect cultural patterns influencing health practices; facilitate access to resources; identify populations with specific health needs; monitor the accessibility and quality of community and personal health services in the community; advocate for needs of culturally, economically, or geographically disadvantaged persons; work effectively with individuals, department staff, families, community groups agencies, and coalitions in developing and implementing satisfactory solutions to health problems; apply principles of epidemiology to a wide range of social and health issues; apply principles of primary prevention to the prioritization, design, implementation and evaluation of community-based health programs; maintain confidentiality; communicate effectively orally and in writing; mentor other nursing personnel and train and direct the work of staff, interns, or volunteers; respond effectively to critical situations and emergencies; and actively promote the Department’s mission and its population-based health outcomes orientation.

Minimum Qualifications:

Twelve (12) months of experience comparable to a Public Health Nurse I in Shasta County.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
• Possession of a valid California State Public Health Nursing (PHN) Certificate.
• Possession of an appropriate California driver license.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.

1. Do you possess a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from an accredited program? If “Yes”, please list the nursing program you completed. If “No”, type N/A.
2. Do you possess valid license as a Registered Nurse issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing?  If “Yes”, please list your license number and expiration date. If “No”, type N/A.
3. Do you possess a valid California State Public Health Nursing (PHN) Certificate? If “Yes”, list the number and expiration date and attach a copy of your Certificate to your application. If “No”, type N/A.
4. If you do not have a California State Public Health Nursing Certificate, have you applied for one? If “Yes”, please list the date you applied for the certificate. If “No”, type N/A.
5. Do you have 12 months experience comparable to a Public Health Nurse I in Shasta County? If “Yes”, provide details including, but not limited to, employers, dates of employment, job titles, and job duties. If “No”, type N/A.
6. I acknowledge this position requires a valid California driver's license. Yes/No

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to sit and occasionally asked to walk or stand. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Some positions may require adequate mobility to move very quickly in certain situations. And employee must operate a motor vehicle on a regular basis.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
• Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
• As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.
• Based on the results of the background investigation and criminal history check, applicants may then be provided with an offer of employment conditioned on the results of a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol testing. 

• In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until 12:00 p.m., on February 13, 2025. A Resume and/or Cover Letter will be accepted in addition to the application form but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as, “Refer to Resume and/or Cover Letter,” or “See Attached Resume and/or Cover Letter” the employment application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will NOT be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered. 

Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line at www.ShastaCountyCareers.com or submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.

Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.

Shasta County will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act.  You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you.  After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Shasta County is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.  Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act.

SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Shasta County Personnel

1450 Court Street, Suite 348; Redding, CA 96001; (530) 225-5515

Salary : $36 - $46