Staff Nurse-Public Health-26453806PH

Staff Nurse - Public Health

The County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is currently accepting applications for the position of Staff Nurse - Public Health. Reflecting our commitment to attracting and retaining top talent, candidates selected for this classification are hired at the highest step 5, at the base pay of $126,131.20 within the salary range. Future Salary Increase: June 2027 6.2% increase to base pay (3% Across-the-Board + 3.2% Market Adjustment).

Interviews will be August 11, 2026 and August 12, 2026. Offers will be made August 13, 2026 and August 14, 2026. Staff Nurses are registered nurses who possess specialized skills in long-term care, behavioral health, or public health. Positions may be assigned to a skilled, long-term care nursing, behavioral health, or public health facility.

The San Diego County Polinsky Children's Center (PCC) is publicly funded and is a free-standing 24-hour facility for the temporary emergency shelter for children who must be separated from their families for their own safety, or when parents cannot provide care. Positions are assigned to the Polinsky Children's Center, a 24-hour facility for the temporary emergency shelter for children. To be considered, you must be willing to work a variety of shifts including days, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Staff Nurses will be providing direct care for children from birth to 17 years of age. These children come from diverse backgrounds and have been removed from their home due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment and may have been exposed to domestic violence, drugs or other trauma. Children who are currently in foster care and are experiencing a change in their placement may also be entering Polinsky. Employees who work at Polinsky are expected to provide a consistent, high level of care as well as assure the health, safety and well-being of children at all times, while maintaining excellence in customer service and public trust.

Onboarding will consist of didactic classroom trainings, presentations, followed by rotation/shadowing components, skills check offs, etc. The current vacancy is at the Polinsky Children's Center at 9400 Ruffin Ct., San Diego, CA 92123; however, the eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill vacancies in other HHSA departments. Read for the complete job description of Staff Nurse including minimum requirements and required licenses, more information on duties, working conditions, and probationary period.

This hard to recruit position qualifies for the Employee Referral Reward Program. If a current County of San Diego employee referred you to apply for this position, please indicate the employee's name on your job application in the space provided.

Hiring Process and Timeline The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.

• Job Offer and Background Process: After interviews August 13, 2026. and August 14, 2026. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
• Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
• Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.

If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.

Possession of a valid and current Registered Nurse license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing is required at time of appointment.

• Some experience or course work in the areas of skilled, communicable diseases, pediatric, and/or public health clinic nursing is highly desirable.
• A valid California Class C driver's license, or the ability to arrange necessary and timely transportation for field travel, is required at time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment in this class.
• A valid CPR card is required at the time of appointment.
• A valid National Provider Identification Number (NPI) is required at the time of employment.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate must be prepared to manage trauma-related behaviors and verbal aggression in a calm and professional manner; perform the physical nursing demands of pediatric/youth care, safety, and security; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; value and respect others; and with appropriate training and guidance, learn to perform duties in a professional and ethical manner. The County of San Diego desires candidates who are customer-focused, driven to excel, team players, continuous learners, and supportive of change.

Blind Applicant Screening

The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate's personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce. The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application Work History and/or supplemental questionnaire.

Condition of Employment

As part of the County of San Diego's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.

Evaluation

The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a three (3) month employment list based upon scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their supplemental questionnaire. Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application form will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying. Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.

The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Click here for more information on our Strategic Plan (sandiegocounty.gov) (Download PDF reader).

Disaster Service Worker

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.

The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.