Staff Nurse-Public Health

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 $ 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;…