Environmental Protection Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Uvalde, TX

6d

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. Position works in Region 8 jurisdictions under Sanitarian III supervision with latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Conduct inspections at food establishments, mobile food trucks, school cafeterias, vendors at temporary events, youth camps, including swimming pools, playground, and private water supply using FDA Food Code, Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) and other applicable Texas Health and Safety Codes and regulations. Responding to consumer complaints, foodborne illness outbreaks, and public health nuisances. Required to respond to public health emergencies and events. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions. Sanitarian I or Environmental Protection Specialist I (understaffed).

Requirements

• Knowledge of principles and practices of public health, and the structure and functions of public health organizations.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations as they pertain to food service sanitation, environmental sanitation, and public health.
• Knowledge of environmental sanitation principles and practices to include all environmental health aspects.
• Knowledge of the technical aspects of inspections for regulated entities.
• Knowledge of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) principles and how they apply to food service establishments.
• Knowledge of computer operation including Microsoft Word, Windows applications, and electronic mail.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Skill in interpreting and effectively administering food program regulations.
• Skill in working cooperatively with colleagues and other agencies.
• Skill in appraising environmental health situations and making appropriate decisions.
• Skill at sample and evidence collection and digital camera operation.
• Skill at using swimming pool test kits and pH meter.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information effectively at all levels.
• Ability to organize and express thoughts clearly and concisely.
• Ability to be tactful and decisive in enforcing regulations.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to learn new software applications.
• Ability to prepare complex, detailed reports containing intelligent conclusions and/or recommendations.
• Ability to establish and maintain sound interpersonal relationships with staff members and the public.
• Ability to conduct food service, recreational sanitation, institutional sanitation, mass gatherings, and public health nuisance inspections and complaint investigations.
• Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete this essential job function.
• Registered Sanitarian in Texas
• If not already a Registered Sanitarian in Texas, must meet educational requirements (30 hours of science) and pass the Texas Registered Sanitarian Examination within six (6) months from the initial date of employment. Must apply to become a Sanitarian-In-Training status upon hire. Registered Sanitarian status must be obtained within (2) years of the date of employment.
• Must have a current Texas Class C driver license or equivalent from another state.
• Bachelor's degree from a US accredited college/university (or foreign education that has been determined to be equivalent) with at least 30 semester hours in basic science or natural science or any combination thereof and acquires two (2) years of experience in the field of sanitation.
• Bachelor's degree from a US accredited college/university (or foreign education that has been determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evaluator) with at least 30 semester hours in basic science or natural science or any combination. No experience or less than two (2) years of experience in the field of sanitation.

Responsibilities

• Inspects permitted and non-permitted food service establishments based on risk (medium and low) to ensure food handling practices, food storage and general sanitation practices adhere to FDA Food Code and, Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) with regard to public health and safety, including restaurants, mobile food units, retail food stores, vendors at temporary events, public school cafeterias, senior centers and jail food service. Ensures these facilities meet regulatory and accepted sanitary requirements. Prepares inspection and survey reports. Meets required workload measures.
• Investigates and evaluates premises and establishments having public health significance and for which complaints have been filed, such as public swimming pools, youth camp, hotels and abandoned property. May assist local health departments in food sanitation and public health sanitation areas as requested. Coordinates with community groups and local agencies regarding prevention and resolution of environmental health problems related to food safety and general sanitation.
• Performs pre-licensing and annual youth camp inspections for compliance with regulations. Evaluates the sanitation conditions and recommends corrective action.
• At the request of and in consultation with the epidemiology program in Region 8, investigates food borne illness outbreaks and prepares related reports and evaluations. May collect and submit food samples as part of the investigation.
• Prepares required documents such as time sheets, travel reimbursement requests, and monthly activity reports as directed by regional and/or central office administration, following agency procedures and accepted formats.
• Provides technical assistance and guidance to schools, retail food facilities, youth camps, and the general public regarding food safety and general sanitation. Consults with local and county officials, community groups and local agencies regarding public health and sanitation.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Serves as on-call sanitarian in rotation for urgent after hours issues. Attends worker safety training, program training and other professional training to maintain the Professional Sanitarian license and to increase expertise. Actively participates or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern and/or location. Safe operation of a personal, rental or state-owned vehicle is required to conduct state business and employee must maintain a safe driving record. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete this essential job function. Complies with DSHS immunization 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).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees