Inspections Sanitarian II

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Uvalde, TX

2d•$4,263 - $6,779•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is hiring an Inspections Sanitarian II to perform advanced environmental sanitation work under the supervision of the Manufactured and Retail Foods Branch Manager. The position 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 will be conducted in the East and South Houston area, from Brazos County to Calhoun County. The position is based in Uvalde, with other possible work locations listed in the posting, and is not eligible for telework. The Sanitarian inspects food manufacturers and retailers, including specialized food processors, bottled-water operations, seafood businesses, warehouses, bakeries, salvage firms, 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 role responds to complaints, foodborne outbreaks, disasters, and other emergencies; collects samples, photographs, and exhibits; and prepares technical reports documenting inspection findings. It also supports work planning, scheduling, data tracking, report review, staff training, and public and industry education. The position 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.
At least two years of combined experience conducting manufactured-food, retail-food, youth-camp, or public-sanitation inspections.
Valid Texas driver’s license or an 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, state and federal food and sanitation laws and regulations, and technical inspection practices for food operations and youth camps.
Effective, professional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write detailed technical reports.
Skill using computers, applicable inspection software, photographic, laboratory, and field-testing equipment.
Sound field decision-making, investigative planning, problem-solving, organization, work planning, and inspection-report review skills.
Ability to select, adapt, and apply investigative methods and negotiating techniques to conduct complete, professional inspections and investigations.
Ability to provide own transportation for inspections, training, emergency response, and other job duties.
Ability to use ladders or catwalks, lift or carry up to 50 pounds, push or pull up to 100 pounds, stand for extended periods, identify rodent and insect filth, and read labels printed in 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 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 among core duties and regulatory requirements and assist managers with administrative assignments.
May be required to pass background and other due-diligence checks, depending on program area and position requirements.
Must provide I-9 documentation on the first day of work.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Inspect and investigate food manufacturers, wholesalers, warehouses, salvage establishments, brokers, and other food-related businesses.
Investigate complaints and foodborne outbreaks, and complete detentions and destructions according to Division policy.
Issue written notices of inspectional observations and prepare technical reports documenting findings with photographs, 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.
Conduct environmental sanitation inspections for youth camps, mass gatherings, and field sanitation, and submit inspection and survey reports.
Use assigned inspection software, including taking digital photographs in accordance with agency protocols.
Assist management with scheduling, data tracking, reporting, work planning, and preparation of work-group reports.
Plan and execute high-priority assignments, balancing site inspections, desk work, and changing project goals.
Serve as a subject matter expert and resource for inspection staff; provide training, participate in joint field inspections, and review inspection reports.
Conduct special investigations and assignments as directed.
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 education and training programs.
Present technical information and provide testimony at hearings and trials; prepare reports, summaries, and exhibits for counsel.
Complete electronic travel reports, monthly activity reports, timesheets, and other required reports.
Participate in disaster response, recovery, and Continuity of Operations activities, which may require a different shift pattern or work location.
Travel up to 60%, potentially overnight, and be available for emergency response as needed.