Inspections Sanitarian II

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Houston, TX

1d • $4,263 - $6,779 • Onsite

About The Position

The Sanitarian II performs advanced environmental sanitation work under the supervision of the Manufactured and Retail Foods Branch Manager. The role supports 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 are conducted in Northeast Texas, particularly counties east of Grayson, Collin, and Rockwall counties. The position may be based in Houston or another listed Texas location and is not eligible for telework.

The Sanitarian inspects food manufacturers and retailers, warehouses, salvage firms, 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. The role investigates complaints, foodborne outbreaks, disasters, and other issues involving food products; gathers samples, photographs, and exhibits; and prepares detailed technical inspection reports. It also supports work planning, scheduling, data tracking, training, and inspection-report review, and serves as a resource for inspection staff. The position works with considerable latitude and independent judgment, may involve overnight travel and emergency on-call response, and may require overtime, extended hours, or work outside the normal weekday schedule.

Requirements

• Must be registered as a professional sanitarian by the State of Texas.
• At least two years of combined experience conducting manufactured foods, retail foods, youth camp, or public sanitation inspections.
• Valid Texas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state.
• Knowledge of scientific disciplines including microbiology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, epidemiology, statistics, thermodynamics, nutrition, and food toxicology.
• Knowledge of investigative methods and negotiating techniques; state and federal food, youth camp, and public sanitation laws and regulations; and inspection practices for food manufacturing, distribution, salvage, retail food establishments, and youth camps.
• Effective professional verbal and written communication, including the ability to write detailed technical reports.
• Skill using computers and applicable inspection software, photographic, laboratory, and field-testing equipment.
• Ability to make appropriate field decisions and plan investigations in difficult or sensitive situations; select, adapt, and apply investigative and negotiating techniques.
• Ability to track multiple program and compliance activities, solve problems proactively, stay organized, plan work, and review inspection reports.
• Ability to provide own transportation for inspections, training, emergency response, and other duties.
• Ability to perform inspection work that may require 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 with 1/32-inch type.
• Ability to work occasionally outside normal duty hours and be available for emergency or disaster response, including 24-hour on-call availability.
• Ability to prepare concise technical reports, interpret scientific data alongside field conditions to assess public health risks, and communicate tactfully with industry, the public, coworkers, and managers.
• Ability to manage time across core duties and regulatory requirements and assist managers with administrative assignments.

Nice To Haves

• Professional Registered Sanitarian license from the State of Texas is described as preferred; the posting also states that it is required for consideration and lists it as an initial screening criterion.

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 and provide written notices of inspectional observations before completing inspections.
• Prepare technical inspection reports documenting findings with photographs, samples, and other exhibits.
• Inspect permitted and non-permitted establishments, including school cafeterias, retail food service establishments, food stores, mobile food establishments, and other food establishments, for compliance with sanitary requirements.
• Conduct environmental sanitation inspections for youth camps, mass gatherings, and field sanitation; submit inspection and survey reports to the appropriate Operations Branch.
• Prepare detailed reports 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; organize and execute high-priority assignments.
• Manage time among site inspections, desk work, and changing project goals; serve as a subject matter expert and resource for inspection staff.
• Conduct special investigations and assignments, provide training and joint field inspections, and review inspection reports.
• Provide information and assistance on food-related topics to citizens, regulated industry, and other government agencies.
• Prepare technical presentations and participate in departmental, 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 reports.
• Support agency disaster response or recovery and Continuity of Operations activation, potentially involving alternate shifts or locations.
• Travel to inspection sites and training, including possible overnight and out-of-state travel; be available for emergency response as needed.

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: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed