Job Description

Requisition No: 879882

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS DENTAL HYGIENIST - 64958313

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 64958313

Salary: $34.86 - $36.06/hourly

Posting Closing Date: 08/02/2026

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OPS DENTAL HYGIENIST

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The Dental Hygienist is responsible for helping the Department of Health Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota) achieve its vision “To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts” and its mission “Healthiest State in the Nation”. The Dental Hygienist in this position will act in the School-Based Dental Sealant Program and other agency dental initiatives.

· Incumbent will need to review all documents for completed consent forms to provide services to each participant, confirming patient or parent/guardian signature.

· Provide preventive dental hygiene services using portable dental equipment, primarily within a school setting, but not limited to that setting and may include clinical and other community centers.

· Provide preventive dental hygiene services for school-age and other clients with reasonable proficiency, such as dental sealants, dental prophylaxis, fluoride treatments, and provide age-appropriate oral hygiene instruction and nutritional guidance.

· Effectively interact daily with pediatric and adult clients, addressing questions, fears, and behavioral issues.

· Lift and carry 50 lbs. with ergonomic awareness, using standard safety measures. Assemble, disassemble, and transport portable dental equipment to and from school settings with time and proficiency, based on distance in county designated vehicle.

· Drive county vehicles responsibly, obeying Florida traffic and departmental regulations.

· Represent the Florida Department of Health Sarasota County in a positive, professional and informative manner, using an interpreter when necessary.

· Participate in community and school programs, including health fairs, outreach projects and field projects, and represent FDOH-Sarasota, as well as effectively interacting with the school nurse, school staff, principal, parents and students.

· Complete mandated forms and/or accurately enter computerized data; submit forms to be billed on schedule as per fiscal dept. Coordinate services and orders/manage supplies while maintaining an accurate, real-time assessment of program budget.

· File accurate, mandated reports for community partners, the state, and the county, by established due dates. · Research possible grants and assist with writing grants and manage expected grant deliverables

· This position provides and/or oversees dental hygiene services to eligible clients of DOH-Sarasota County (WIC, IMMS, HS) as requested and needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to operate a computer
• Ability to work and follow directions
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Ability to keep well organized and accurate records
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to interview participants in order to obtain a medical or social history
• Ability to complete any training module and annual update
• Ability to perform dental procedures within the Dental Hygienist scope of practice
• Knowledge of community resources and skill in referring participants to appropriate resources
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships

Qualifications:

Minimum –

• Active Florida Dental Hygiene license in accordance with Florida Statute Chapter 466

Preferred –

• Must have a valid Florida Driver’s License. 
• Must have reliable transportation. 
• Data entry experience.
• Bilingual (preferred - Spanish, Haitian Creole, Russian or Ukrainian)
• Experience working with a clientele from a diverse cultural background

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Headquarters -

William L. Little Health & Human Services Center

2200 Ringling Boulevard

Sarasota, FL 34237

The individual will work at the Sarasota County School District locations

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)

• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements.  Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)

• Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)

• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)

• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)

• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)

• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensingand application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.