Inspections Sanitarian II

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Houston, TX

11d•$4,263 - $6,779•Onsite

About The Position

The Sanitarian II performs advanced environmental sanitation work to ensure 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. The role conducts inspections primarily in the eastern and southern Houston area, spanning Brazos County to Calhoun County, and reports to the Manufactured and Retail Foods Branch Manager. The position inspects food manufacturers and retailers, including processors and facilities handling low-acid canned foods, acidified foods, pasteurized juice, aseptic foods, bottled water, seafood, dietary supplements, bottling, baking, repacking, warehousing, salvage, and food distribution. It also inspects 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. The sanitarian investigates complaints, foodborne outbreaks, and disasters involving food products; collects samples and evidence; and prepares technical reports documenting findings. Working under limited supervision and with considerable latitude to use initiative and independent judgment, the position assists with annual work planning, inspection assignments, scheduling, data tracking, and report review. It provides technical guidance and training to inspection staff and information to the public, regulated industry, and partner agencies. The role may involve overnight travel, out-of-state training, on-call emergency response, overtime, and work outside normal business hours.

Requirements

Must be registered as a professional sanitarian by the State of Texas; this license is required for consideration.
At least two years of combined experience conducting manufactured-food, retail-food, 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, negotiating techniques, applicable state and federal food, youth-camp, and public-sanitation laws and regulations, and technical inspection practices.
Effective and professional verbal and written communication, including the ability to prepare concise, detailed technical reports.
Skill using computers, applicable inspection software, photographic, laboratory, and field-testing equipment.
Ability to make appropriate field decisions and plan investigations in difficult and sensitive situations; select and apply investigative and negotiation methods to conduct thorough inspections.
Ability to track multiple program and compliance activities, solve problems proactively, stay organized, plan work, and review inspection reports.
Ability to recognize and interpret scientific data alongside field conditions to determine public-health risks, and communicate effectively and tactfully with industry, the public, coworkers, and managers.
Ability to manage time across core duties and regulatory requirements and assist managers with administrative work-group assignments.
Ability to perform 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 printed in 1/32-inch type.
Ability to occasionally work outside normal duty hours and be available for emergency or disaster response, including 24-hour on-call availability.
Ability to provide own transportation.

Responsibilities

Inspect and investigate food manufacturers, wholesalers, warehouses, salvage establishments, brokers, and other regulated food facilities.
Investigate complaints and foodborne outbreaks; respond to food-related disasters and complete detentions and destructions according to Division policy.
Issue written notices of inspectional observations before completing inspections and prepare technical reports supported by photographs, samples, and other exhibits.
Inspect permitted and non-permitted establishments, including school cafeterias, retail food-service establishments, retail food stores, and mobile food establishments.
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, including taking digital photographs in accordance with agency protocols, to document findings.
Assist management with scheduling, data tracking, reporting, work planning, and preparation of work-group reports.
Plan, organize, and execute high-priority assignments while managing time among 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 participate in joint field inspections; 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 training and educational programs offered by the Department, FDA, and external partners.
Present technical information and testimony at hearings and trials, and 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, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activities, which may require an alternate shift pattern or work location.
Provide own transportation for inspections, training, emergency response, and other job duties.