Inspections Sanitarian II
About The Position
The Department of State Health Services Food & Drug 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 Texas laws and regulations. Most inspections are conducted in Northeast Texas, in counties east of Grayson, Collin, and Rockwall counties. Under the supervision of the Manufactured and Retail Foods Branch Manager, the Sanitarian II performs advanced environmental sanitation work with limited supervision and considerable latitude to use initiative and independent judgment. The role inspects food manufacturers and retailers, including specialized food processors, bottled-water and seafood operations, warehouses, salvage firms, public-school cafeterias, retail food establishments, mobile food units, temporary-event vendors, youth camps, swimming pools, public interactive water features, playgrounds, and private water supplies. The position responds to complaints, foodborne outbreaks, disasters, and other emergencies; gathers samples, photographs, and exhibits; and prepares detailed technical inspection reports. The position also supports work planning, inspection scheduling, data tracking, report review, staff training, special investigations, and technical outreach. It may involve overnight and out-of-state travel, on-call emergency response, overtime, extended hours, and work outside the normal Monday–Friday schedule. The employee must provide their own transportation for inspections, training, emergency response, and other duties. The role may require physical inspection tasks such as using ladders or catwalks, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, pushing or pulling up to 100 pounds, standing for extended periods, and reading very small print on labels.
Requirements
- At least two years of combined experience conducting manufactured-food, retail-food, youth-camp, or public-sanitation inspections.
- Professional Registered Sanitarian license issued by the State of Texas.
- Valid Texas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state.
- Knowledge of scientific disciplines and their practical applications, including microbiology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, epidemiology, statistics, thermodynamics, nutrition, and food toxicology.
- Knowledge of investigative methods, negotiating techniques, state and federal food, youth-camp, and public-sanitation laws and regulations, and technical inspection practices for food operations and youth camps.
- Skill in professional verbal and written communication, detailed technical report writing, computer use and applicable inspection software, field decision-making, and planning investigations in difficult or sensitive situations.
- Skill in selecting and applying investigative methods and negotiating techniques to conduct complete, professional inspections and investigations.
- Skill in using photographic, laboratory, and field-testing equipment for health and safety inspections; tracking multiple program and compliance activities; problem solving; organization; work planning; and inspection-report review.
- Ability to provide own transportation for inspections, training, emergency response, and other job duties.
- Ability to perform physical inspection work that may involve ladders or catwalks, lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds, pushing or pulling up to 100 pounds, prolonged standing, identifying rodent and insect filth, and reading labels with 1/32-inch type.
- Ability to work occasionally outside normal duty hours and be available for emergency or disaster response on call 24 hours.
- Ability to prepare concise technical reports, interpret scientific data alongside field conditions to assess public-health risks, and communicate effectively and tactfully with industry, the public, coworkers, and managers.
- Ability to manage time across core job duties and regulatory requirements and assist managers with administrative work-group assignments.
- Applicants must demonstrate in their application how they meet the initial selection criteria.
Responsibilities
- Inspect and investigate food manufacturers, wholesalers, warehouses, salvage establishments, and brokers.
- Investigate complaints and foodborne outbreaks; complete detentions and destructions according to Division policy.
- Issue written notices of inspectional observations and prepare technical inspection reports supported by photographs, samples, and other exhibits.
- Inspect permitted and non-permitted food establishments, including public-school cafeterias, retail food service establishments and stores, and mobile food establishments, for compliance with sanitary requirements.
- Conduct environmental sanitation inspections at youth camps, mass gatherings, and field sanitation sites; submit inspection and survey reports.
- Prepare detailed findings using assigned inspection software and take digital photographs according to agency protocols.
- Assist management with scheduling, data tracking, reporting, work-group reports, and work planning.
- Plan, organize, and execute high-priority assignments while managing time across inspections, desk work, and changing project goals.
- Serve as a subject matter expert and resource for inspection staff; conduct special investigations and assignments as directed.
- Provide training, participate in joint field inspections, assist with work planning, and review inspection 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 Department, FDA, and external-partner educational programs and training.
- Present technical inspection information and provide testimony at hearings and court trials; prepare reports, summaries, and exhibits for counsel.
- Complete electronic travel reports, monthly activity reports, timesheets, and other required Division and Department reports.
- Participate in disaster response or recovery and Continuity of Operations activities, which may require a different shift pattern or work location.
Benefits
- Insurance coverage and other benefits through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by ERS.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
