Inspections Sanitarian I

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Houston, TX

10d • $3,793 - $5,921 • Onsite

About The Position

The Inspections Sanitarian I performs moderately complex environmental sanitation inspection work for the Department of State Health Services’ Food & Drug Unit. The unit ensures compliance with the Texas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Warehousing Practices, the FDA Food Code, Texas Food Establishment Rules, and other applicable laws and regulations. Most inspections take place in the East and South Houston area, from Brazos County to Calhoun County. The position works under general supervision, with moderate latitude to use initiative and independent judgment, and reports to the Manufactured and Retail Foods Branch Manager.

The role inspects food manufacturers, retailers, warehouses, salvage firms, school cafeterias, food service facilities, retail food stores, mobile food units, temporary-event vendors, youth camps, swimming pools, public interactive water features, playgrounds, and private water supplies. It responds to complaints, foodborne outbreaks, disasters, and other emergencies; collects samples and evidence; and prepares technical inspection reports. The position may involve overnight travel, travel to out-of-state training, on-call availability, overtime, and work outside normal business hours. It is not eligible for telework and requires travel of up to 70%.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a U.S.-accredited college or university, or foreign education determined equivalent by an acceptable evaluator, with at least 30 semester hours in basic or natural science (or a combination).
• Valid Texas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state.
• Knowledge of scientific disciplines and their applications, including microbiology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, epidemiology, statistics, thermodynamics, nutrition, and food toxicology.
• Knowledge of investigative methods, negotiating techniques, applicable state and federal food, youth camp, and public sanitation laws and regulations, and technical inspection practices for food-related facilities and youth camps.
• Effective professional verbal and written communication, including the ability to prepare concise, detailed technical reports.
• Skill with word processing, computers, and applicable inspection software.
• Ability to make appropriate field decisions and plan investigations in difficult and sensitive situations; select, adapt, and apply investigative and negotiating methods to conduct complete, professional inspections and investigations.
• Skill using photographic, laboratory, and field-testing equipment for health and safety inspections, and tracking multiple program and compliance activities.
• Ability to perform inspection work that may involve using ladders or catwalks; lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds; pushing or pulling up to 100 pounds; standing for extended periods; identifying rodent and insect filth; and reading labels printed in 1/32-inch type.
• Ability to recognize, assimilate, and correlate scientific data with documented field conditions to determine public health risks, and communicate effectively and tactfully with regulated industry, the public, coworkers, and managers.
• Ability to occasionally work outside normal duty hours and respond to emergencies or disasters, including being available on call 24 hours.
• The posting describes an Environmental Protection Specialist/Sanitarian-In-Training pathway for candidates with the specified bachelor’s degree and science coursework who have no experience or less than two years of sanitation-field experience.
• Must demonstrate in the application how the initial selection criteria are met.

Nice To Haves

• Professional Registered Sanitarian license in the State of Texas; the license must be obtained within six months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and investigate food manufacturers, wholesalers, warehouses, salvage establishments, and brokers; complete detentions and destructions in accordance with Division policy.
• Issue written notices of inspectional observations and prepare technical inspection reports, including photos, samples, and other exhibits.
• Inspect permitted and non-permitted food establishments, including school cafeterias, retail food service establishments, retail food stores, and mobile food establishments, for compliance with sanitary requirements.
• Conduct environmental sanitation inspections for youth camps, mass gatherings, and field sanitation, and submit inspection and survey reports to the appropriate Operations Branch.
• Use assigned inspection software and take digital photographs in accordance with agency protocols.
• Investigate complaints and foodborne outbreaks, conduct special investigations and assignments, and provide training through activities such as joint field inspections and reports.
• Provide information and assistance on food-related subjects to citizens, regulated industry, and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Prepare technical presentations and participate in training offered by the Department, the FDA, and external partners.
• Complete electronic travel reports, monthly activity reports, timesheets, and other required Division and Department reports.
• Present technical inspection information and testimony at hearings and court trials, and prepare reports, summaries, and exhibits for counsel.
• Participate in disaster response or recovery and Continuity of Operations activities, which may require an alternate shift pattern or work location.
• Provide transportation for inspections, training, emergency response, and other job duties.
• Be available for emergency or disaster response, including 24-hour on-call availability, and occasionally work outside normal duty hours.

Benefits

• 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