Environmental Protection Specialist

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Midland, TX

54d

About The Position

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us. Employee Benefits: DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page. Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs. Environmental Protect Spcl I Brief Job Description: This position is being posted as Environmental Protection Specialist I (EPS I) which is an understaffed position from this position's established classification of Sanitarian I. This EPS I will also utilize a working title of Sanitarian-In-Training (SIT). Prospective applicants must meet the educational requirements, apply and pass the Professional Sanitarian exam within six (6) months from the date of employment. Position works under the supervision and technical review of the Sanitarian III, Retail Food & Public Health Sanitation. Conducts routine inspections of medium and low risk permitted and non-permitted establishments such as foodservice establishments and public environmental facilities that operate institutional sanitation, recreational sanitation or public sanitation type facilities. Conduct activities utilizing the Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) and other applicable Texas Health and Safety Food Codes and regulations. Evaluates findings, documents facility compliance and makes recommendations for compliance using rules and regulations. Investigates consumer complaints related to sanitation of foodservice establishments. Provides assistance during emergency situations such natural disasters or when the agency is operating emergency operations. Prepares technical reports and documents findings regarding compliance activities. Works under moderate supervision and guidance of a Registered Sanitarian with limited latitude for the use of initiative and judgment.

Requirements

Knowledge of State and Federal statutes/regulations regarding food safety and environmental sanitation.
Knowledge of inspection techniques used for retail food establishments and types of equipment used in those establishments.
Knowledge of food safety systems such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles and how they apply to retail food establishments.
Skill in the use of computer word processors, spreadsheet applications, databases and web-based browsers to document inspections.
Skill in the use photographic equipment, laboratory and field testing equipment to conduct health and safety inspections.
Skill in verbal communications to work effectively with diverse groups of people.
Skill in meeting critical deadlines.
Skill in tracking multiple program activities and compliance activities at different stages of development
Ability to prepare concise technical reports to accurately document inspection findings.
Ability to recognize, assimilate and correlate scientific data with documented field conditions to determine public health risks.
Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with the regulated industry, general public, co-workers, and managers.
Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines.
Ability to climb, bend and/or stand for extended periods of time during investigations/inspections.
Ability to obtain samples related to food, insect or filth.
Ability to read and interpret food labels with small print during inspections and investigations.
Ability to move up to 50 lbs., inspections and investigations.
Ability to travel.
Graduation from a college or university of recognized standing with a B.S. or B.A. degree with at least 30 semester hours in basic science or natural science or any combination thereof.
Successful passage of the Sanitarian Registrations Examination (may submit proof of current certification by NEHA as REHS/RS in lieu of exam).

Responsibilities

Conducts routine inspections of medium and low risk facility inspections of permitted and non-permitted retail food service establishments and public environmental facilities that operate institutional sanitation, recreational sanitation or public sanitation type facilities.
Ensure compliance with Texas Food Establishments Rules (TFER) and other applicable Texas Health and Safety Food Codes as referenced.
Evaluates findings, makes compliance recommendations and documents facility compliance by preparing and submitting complete inspection reports that include all applicable report components such as photographic exhibits, food and filth samples, and other required regulatory forms within required time frames.
Investigates consumer complaints concerning environmental sanitation and retail food establishments.
Inspects public facilities and food establishments as a result of emergencies.
Evaluates and obtains corrective action needed to ensure safety.
Assists local health departments with technical assistance related to TFER or other related Texas Health and Safety Code rules under the purview of the Department.
Prepare for legal and enforcement actions with supervisor and central office program for administrative penalty hearings; permit revocation, and formal settlement conference hearings.
Provides technical assistance and support to other regional regulatory programs and special regional public health initiatives related to public health preparedness.
Provides technical assistance to retail food establishments, public facilities related to environmental sanitation, owners/operators, public officials, and the general public on food safety on the interpretation and compliance with State food codes and regulations.
Assist in providing the public and regulated industry with food safety training programs.
Assist local health department inspectors to obtain federal standardization.
Actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations activation.
Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Complies with the Department of State Health Services Immunizations Policy.

Benefits

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

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