Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurse Opportunity

St. Louis County Public Health Division Mission: Promoting healthy people and communities through prevention and population-focused programs. Vision: The St. Louis County Public Health Division leads in public health practice through strategic partnering, data-driven decision-making, and results-based accountability. We work to assure that all residents of St. Louis County have the opportunity to thrive in a healthy, equitable, and safe community.

Are you a Public Health Nurse who wants to make a difference in the well-being of individuals, families, and the community while having the opportunity of a flexible schedule? St. Louis County Public Health division is currently hiring for a full-time Public Health Nurse (37.5 hours weekly). Family Health and Supports Unit in Duluth, MN: Public Health Nurses in this unit provide services aimed at optimal pregnancy and maternal outcomes, child development, family stability, social emotional/mental health, and substance misuse recovery supports when needed. This position will implement our home visiting programs, Heart to Heart, Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-Visiting Program (MECSH), and universal home visiting. In addition, the role has responsibilities for emergency preparedness activities, community outreach, and referral management.

The salary range reflected above is the normal hiring range for 2026. The full salary range, including longevity steps, is as follows: Public Health Nurse: $32.32 - $45.97 per hour. Public Health Nurse Senior: $34.76 - $49.54 per hour. These positions are part of the Civil Service Basic Unit Employees Collective Bargaining Agreement represented by Council 5 of AFSCME.

Please Note: In order to be considered eligible to interview for a Public Health Nurse position with St. Louis County, you must possess a Public Health Nurse Certificate from the Minnesota Board of Nursing or provide proof of application by 4:30 p.m. on November 16, 2026. Apply for your certificate today at mn.gov/boards/nursing/licensure/licensure/public-health-nurse-registration.

St. Louis County does not participate in E-Verify. All employees must be continuously authorized to work in the United States, for St. Louis County, on a full-time basis. St. Louis County does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.

Distinguishing Features of Work

Public Health Nurse: An employee in this class is responsible for providing public health nursing services to St. Louis County citizens. Duties include: conducting assessments and reassessments; preparing and implementing care plans; providing education, resources and referrals; recommending and participating in the planning, implementation and evaluation of public health nursing programs; assisting in the local public health assessment and planning process. The work is performed under the direction of assigned supervisory staff.

Public Health Nurse Senior: An employee in this class is responsible for leading and performing professional public health nursing services to St. Louis County citizens. Duties include: conducting health assessments and reassessments; preparing and implementing care plans; providing education, resources and referrals; participating in staff development programs; implementing pilot projects and testing nursing concepts; participating in the local public health assessment and planning process. The work is performed under the direction of assigned supervisory staff.

Work Environment

These working environment factors are general in nature and may vary depending on the specific position being filled. CONSTANT: Lift and carry up to 10 pounds; hear within 5 feet; bend neck; move about; reach; talk/speak; customer/public contact; and clients with behavioral challenges. FREQUENT: Near, midrange and far vision; depth perception; field of vision; visual accommodation; color vision; hear up to 20 feet; climb stairs; feel; grasp/handle; rotate neck; sit; stand; stoop/bend; walk; turn wrists; work alone or with others; work inside; work outside and driving. OCCASIONAL: Lift up to 20 pounds; use fingers; kneel; reach above shoulder; squat; twist at waist; blood-borne pathogens; slippery surfaces; and work around others.

Selection Process

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Public Health Nurse (Pass/Fail):

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in nursing with public health nursing preparation.
• Possession of a Minnesota public health nurse registration certificate.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Public Health Nurse Senior (Pass/Fail):

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in nursing with public health nursing preparation AND two (2) years full-time paid verifiable public health nursing experience OR graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in a nursing.
• Possession of a Minnesota public health nurse registration certificate.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

Note: At the discretion of the hiring authority, the successful candidate may be considered for appointment at the Public Health Nurse or Public Health Nurse Senior level, contingent on minimum qualifications and department need. This would be determined at the time a job offer is extended.

RATING SYSTEM: Experience & Training Rating will be 100% of the scoring process: Points will be awarded for job-related experience and education exceeding the minimum qualifications. Please be thorough in listing your work experience in the Work Experience section of the application as this will be used to determine part of your score. Only experience occurring during the ten most recent years will be used in determining this assessment. Experience beyond ten years may be included on the application for purposes of meeting minimum qualifications or informing the hiring authority of your complete employment history.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT & SCREENING PROCESS SCHEDULE:

• November 2, 2026 - Applicant screening to begin
• November 16, 2026 - Deadline for proof of PHN certificate application
• Week of November 16, 2026 - Experience and training to be scored
• Week of November 30, 2026 - Interviews to be conducted

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The essential functions for this position are listed under the "ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK" on the specification, available in the Human Resources Department or online at

VETERANS PREFERENCE: If you are eligible to apply for Veterans Preference, please attach to your application a copy of document(s) listed for the option that applies to you:

• Veteran: DD214 noting character of service.
• Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months.
• Spouse of Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months & marriage certificate. (Eligible only if Veteran is unable to qualify because of the disability.)
• Spouse of Deceased Veteran: DD214, Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate.

Please refer to Minnesota Statute 197.455 for additional requirements.

PHYSICAL-MEDICAL STANDARDS: Qualified applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Applicants selected for appointment must successfully complete a pre-employment physical examination. DRUG TESTING: Applicants selected for appointment must take and pass a drug test. BACKGROUND CHECK: Applicants selected for appointment to a position with St. Louis County are subject to a background investigation. EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION: All new employees must submit documentation verifying identity and employment eligibility within three days of their first day of employment. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Appointees to the position must successfully complete at least a six-month probationary period prior to being certified for permanent employment. NON-DISCRIMINATION: St. Louis County is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer.

Benefits

Eligible St. Louis County employees earn a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• Vacation, Sick and Personal Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Medical Plan
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement Benefits
• Deferred Compensation
• Training and Advancement Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• Employee Wellness Program
• Pet Insurance

Benefits are prorated for part-time employees and administered in accordance with