Position Information
Grow Your Career While You Make a Positive Difference in the Health of Our Community!Join the Department of Health Services' Public Health Division
as a Full-Time or Extra-Help Public Health Nurse!Starting salary up to $56.13/hour ($117,150/year), a cash allowance of $600/month, a competitive total compensation package*, a nd an additional $1.15 per hour for bilingual positions** This recruitment is being conducted to fill English and fluent bilingual (English/Spanish) Public Health Nurse vacancies within the Public Health Home Visiting Program of the Department of Health Services (DHS). These vacancies will be filled at either the PHN I or II level.
NOTE: If you are interested in applying at the PHN I level, you will need to apply to the separate, concurrent recruitment being conducted for that classification.
What We Offer
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
- A hybrid telework schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
- Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- County paid 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance of up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
Become a Public Health Nurse The Public Health Nurse II (PHN II) positions provide the full range of direct public health nursing services to the community and affected individuals and families, including the assessment of community needs and development of service delivery plans necessary for the promotion and delivery of health disease prevention program services. PHNs provide a wide range of services on behalf of vulnerable families and populations, including comprehensive case management, referrals, facility reviews, disease investigations, systems planning and coordination, and technical assistance to health care agencies. Currently, the Department of Health Services (DHS) is hiring PHNs in the following programs.
The Home Visiting Program Home Visiting programs are dedicated to promoting physical, social, and emotional health, and well-being for pregnant persons, children, adolescents, and their families through information, education, and resources. We help our clients get health insurance, establish a medical home, and connect with other community resources, including WIC, counseling, legal, and other support services. Client education services focus on promoting healthy lifestyle choices and nurturing parenting skills.
The PHN provides case management including nursing assessment, diagnosis, planning, and guidance to pregnant and/or parenting women in their homes while maintaining an active caseload of up to 25 clients at any one time. The PHN II home visitor builds and models a strength-based, client-centered culture and participates in outreach and promoting public awareness of the program in the community. The PHN works within a team of nurses who have all received specialized training to implement the program with fidelity to the model. In addition, the PHN is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with community resources to support client referrals. These are the current openings within home visiting:
Trauma-informed Approach in Public Health Nursing (Field Nursing) - 2 Fluent Bilingual (English/Spanish) Positions & 1 Monolingual (English) Position TIA Field Nursing works with pregnant people, parents, and caregivers with children under 5 years who have experienced trauma. Trauma can include physical challenges (illness, altered ability, birth trauma, etc.), mental health challenges, substance use, CPS involvement, justice system involvement, or experiences of racism, inequity, or physical or emotional abuse. Through home visiting appointments, the PHN II teaches the client about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and baby and child health needs, knows the signs of behavioral health challenges, and connects the client with medical, dental, and insurance resources to make sure the client, child, and family receive the care they need.
Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) - 1 Monolingual (English) Position NFP is an evidence-based intensive nurse home visiting program that empowers first-time pregnant people to transform their lives and create better futures for themselves and their babies. Nurses partner with clients during the first or second trimester of pregnancy, and home visits are available to the family until the child's second birthday. Clients learn about pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and child development and nutrition. Nurses support families to improve their health, education, and economic self-sufficiency. Parents receive a certificate of completion on graduation.
In addition, English-speaking extra-help (temporary) positions are currently available in Field Nursing.
Please visit the DHS Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health website for additional information about the programs, services, organization, and partnerships.
The Ideal Candidate Ideal candidates will have experience working in community settings with high-risk pregnant people. In addition, they will have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment; strong planning and organizational skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills; current knowledge and understanding of public health nursing practices; and the ability to work independently and in close collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team.
Please Note: The PHN positions require possession of a California State Public Health Nursing Certificate. Nurses with school, hospital, clinic, or other community-based nursing experience are encouraged to apply. Join DHS Our mission matters. Public health is a top priority in Sonoma County. The mission of Community and Family Health is to provide comprehensive, coordinated services in partnership with the community that support health societal, and behavioral choices for the people of Sonoma County. Our PHNs play a pivotal role in sustaining and growing our robust array of public health programs while contributing to new programming that continues to raise the quality of life throughout our community.
We are bigger than you think. DHS is the County of Sonoma’s second-largest department, allowing for a wide variety of dynamic nursing roles to challenge and engage you at every step of your career. Public Health Nurses work in a variety of programs: Disease Control, Public Health Home Visiting, Children’s Medical Services, and Senior Health Services which are co-located in the Human Services Department.
Our work-life balance is real. Our PHN staff typically work standard business hours. Whenever possible, we support our staff by offering alternative or “flex” schedules, giving them more freedom to manage work-life balance.
We believe in equity above all. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are more than a commitment at the County of Sonoma—these values are at the heart of who we are and what we do. All community members are welcome and safe to use our services.
Our community is vibrant. Why not live, work, and play in one of the most desirable places in California and beyond? Simple pleasures abound, from sampling world-class food and wine, hiking amongst towering redwoods, paddling the Russian River, taking in the stunning Pacific Coast, and getting to know inviting small towns.
You may also visit the Department of Health Services website for additional information about the department.
EXTRA-HELP EMPLOYMENT
Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Temporary, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most employee benefits such as long-term disability insurance coverage; accrual of vacation; participation in the County retirement program; or eligibility to take promotional examinations.
Temporary, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of one calendar year. These employees must be off of work for three months before they can be re-employed on an extra help basis. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage. *Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Engineers and Scientists of California Union Local 20 Memorandum of Understanding (ESC MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory .
This recruitment is being conducted to fill multiple PHN I positions in DHS.
**Bilingual positions require English and Spanish skills at the fluent (reading, writing, and conversational) level. Applicants who wish to be considered for a bilingual position must indicate their level of skill in the required supplemental questionnaire. An examination will be conducted prior to employment in a bilingual position to confirm the level of skill in this area. Bilingual premium pay is $1.15/hour.
The employment list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, and extra-help (temporary) English or English/Spanish positions as they occur during the active status of the list.
Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a California State Public Health Nursing Certificate.
ANDOne year of public health nursing experience obtained after receipt of a California Public Health Nursing Certificate.
Driver's License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Working Conditions: Duties may require exposure to hostile, emotionally disturbed or mentally ill persons and/or confrontational interpersonal situations; intermittently sit at a desk for long periods of time while reviewing patient charts and histories and preparing patient charts and reports; intermittently walk, stand, bend, climb and reach while making field visits, conducting clinics or making educational presentations or demonstrations; twist to reach equipment surrounding desk or treatment areas; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see and hear with sufficient acuity to examine and assess patient conditions; lift moderate weight; may work in dangerous, high crime areas of the community; and/or standby, callback and work during non-routine hours.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable Knowledge of: Modern principles, methods, and practices of public health nursing, including preventive medicine, epidemiology, public health education, gerontology, and sociological problems involved in public health nursing; and community aspects of public health nursing programs.
Working Knowledge of: Community resources available for assistance in public health programs. Federal, State and local laws and regulations governing public health; causes, control and care of chronic and communicable diseases and illness, handicapping conditions, mental illness and other disabling conditions; child growth and development and procedures involved in promoting maternal and child health. Environmental, sociological, and psychological problems related to public health nursing programs; principles and procedures involved in family planning, sexuality transmitted disease control, and pre and post-natal care; procedures and practices used to promote maternal and child health and to assess infant, child, adolescent development and other special programs; principles and practices of work safety, especially as related to communicable diseases; differing cultural, religious, economic and social groups and their relationships to the delivery of and acceptance of health care services; and current literature and trends in community health.
Ability to: Organize and carry out public health nursing activities in assigned district or program; guide the work of professional and para-professional personnel and volunteers and to provide clinical oversight of student nurses; differentiate medical problems requiring immediate consultation with a physician rather than a deferred consultation; follow prescribed protocols set up by physicians and to consult with physicians and other medical personnel; work effectively with families and individuals to assist them in solution to health problems; develop and maintain effective public relations with clients, staff, community groups and organizations; exercise independent judgment, analyze and evaluate situations independently and take appropriate actions; instruct in the prevention of disease and promotion of public health; write and speak effectively and prepare and maintain clear and concise records and reports; work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner; use a computer, calculator, typewrite, telephone, facsimile machine, photocopy machine, and audio-visual equipment; and use clinical and instructional supplies and equipment including blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, audiometer, syringes and needles.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
An
Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (pass/not pass) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position to ensure satisfaction of the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications for the position will be placed on an extra-help employment list and referred to the department. The department may contact candidates from the employment list who possess the most appropriate job-related qualifications for further consideration.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A background investigation will be required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: DP
HR Technician: RR
IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.
COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL*These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
Paid Time Off : Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
Health Plan : Choice of five health plans (a PPO, EPO, HMO, and two deductible HMOs) with a County contribution towards the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit.For specific details, please refer to the applicable MOU).A County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement is available for some bargaining units.
Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .
IRS 457 Plan : Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical : County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.
For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.
*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
Closing Date/Time: Continuous
