Public Health Nurse II

Salary : $168,213.76 - $203,910.72 Annually
Location : San Jose Metropolitan Area, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-S48-B
Department: Public Health
Opening Date: 10/29/2026
Closing Date: 11/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 05

Description
Under general supervision, to apply systems-level thinking from knowledge of nursing, social, and public health sciences to provide professional public health nursing services in diverse settings, including homes, clinics, hospitals, schools, 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;

• Participates in various clinics by interviewing and counseling clients in a clinic, homes, or community setting;

• 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;

• Assists individuals and families to identity their needs and establish their goals and refers to appropriate community agencies and clinics for specialized services;

• Coordinates care of clients with other public and private agencies;

• 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;

• Performs defined technical/skilled nursing tasks;

• Facilitates informed decision making and encourages families to identify the need for appropriate medical, psychiatric, hospital and other care, as necessary;

• Collects specimens from clients, performs medical tests and reports on test results, and administers injections and oral medications;

• Determines caseload priorities and performs ongoing and follow-up evaluation to determine effectiveness of nursing care plan;

• Consults and coordinates with interdisciplinary healthcare team members, community organizations, health agencies, and concerned individuals to identify community needs;

• Recommends long term program planning for complex health problems;

• Recognizes the current Essential Public Health Services;

• Maintains documentation and prepares necessary reports;

• May provide guidance and direction to community partners, health professionals, other Public Health nurses, and support staff;

• Attends staff meetings and participates in educational 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;

and

One (1) year of 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.
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;

• Causes, transmission, prevention, control, and care required for communicable disease(s);

• Principles of case finding and case management in a variety of settings;

• Client centered care of diverse populations and ages in a variety of settings;

• Community resources and health agencies related to public health nursing;

• Use and effects of medications;

• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;

• Interviewing, counseling, and teaching techniques;

• Common computer technology, system applications, and electronic medical record systems.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and carry out public health nursing services;

• Work effectively with clients and families to assist with satisfactory resolution of health problems;

• Develop and maintain effective public relations with community organizations;

• Assess and analyze situations accurately and take appropriate action;

• 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 direction to and train others;

• 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:

• Ability to 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

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the 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 (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the 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 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 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 , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, 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 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 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 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) performedDo 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 Bachelor's 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

If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please provide your valid License Number and Expiration Date as a Registered Nurse issued by the State of California. If none, indicate N/A
06

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

• Yes
• No

07

If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please provide your valid Certificate Number and Expiration Date as a Public Health Nurse issued by the State of California. If none, indicate N/A
08

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

• Yes
• No

09

If you answered "yes" to the previous the question, please provide your valid Basic Life Support (BLS) Certificate number and attach a copy to your application.If none, indicate 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 within 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 within the County of Santa Clara.Be detailed and specific and include employer name(s), job title(s), dates of employment, hours worked per week, and duties performed. If none, indicate N/A.
12

Please select the area(s) in w