Retail Operations Sanitarian III

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Retail Food Safety Operations (RFSO) Branch Manager, the Sanitarian III performs highly advanced retail food safety operations work. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.  Supports, and functions as a member of, the two primary teams currently inherent in RFSO--namely Training and Compliance.  Duties may include:

(1) Participation in RFSO training functions, to include (a) maintenance of digital standardization records, (b) joint field inspections and standardization exercises, (c) development of training materials such as field manuals and Power Point presentations, and (d) presentation of training to small and large groups of DSHS staff and regulated stakeholders;

(2) Detailed quality assurance review of retail food inspection reports in accordance with 25 TAC 228 Texas Food Establishment Rules, FDA Food Code, and program policies and procedures and development of cases for escalated enforcement action;

(3) Frequent interaction with Regional-Local Health Operations (RLHO) Field Staff, regulated stakeholders, and the general public to assist with questions and interpretation of statutes/rules, licensing procedures, and complaints;

(4) Retail food safety policy development and implementation and legislative rule writing;

(5) Primary coordination for RFSO's response to (a) requests under the Freedom of Information Act and (b) quarterly reports for the Legislative Budget Board; and

(6) Emergency response and other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• The successful applicant must be a currently-licensed Registered Sanitarian (RS) in the state of Texas.
• Candidates must possess a valid and current driver’s license.
• An understanding and ability to discuss principles and practices of public health and retail food safety; of state and federal laws pertaining to public health; structure and functions of public health organizations; thorough knowledge of the statutes and rules that pertain to Retail Food Safety, to include:  Texas Food Establishment Rules (25 TAC 228 & 229), 2017/2022 FDA Food Code,  Health and Safety Code Chapters 431, 437, 437B, and 438; of community interrelationships, and of current social and economic problems pertaining to public health.
• Knowledge of evidence development and general legal proceedings.
• Skill in the use and care of inspectional equipment, to include black lights, digital and stem thermometers, thermocouples, chlorine, iodine, quaternary ammonia, and pH strips, laptop computers, and skill in technical writing and oral communication.
• Skilled in various computer applications and Microsoft Office software.
• Ability to communicate technical information at various levels of understanding.
• Ability to be tactful and diplomatic in adverse situations.
• Ability to interact with professionals at all levels of government and industry.
• Ability to use proper inspection and sampling procedures and logical pathways to determine the compliance status of licensees.
• Ability to interpret policy and procedures, and the ability to respond to inquiries regarding same from both internal and external customers.
• Ability to exercise extensive latitude and independent judgment to coordinate and prioritize workloads with minimal supervision.
• Ability to coordinate and supervise activities between Branches and Sections and make the best use of resources.
• Ability to travel (in-state and out-of-state), as necessary, to attend technical training courses, perform inspections, and conduct training and evaluations of Inspection unit field staff.
• Ability to climb and move up to 50 pounds during inspections.
• Ability to identify rodent and insect filth and read labels with 1/32” type size during inspections.
• Candidates must demonstrate the ability to use a computer and extensive experience using Microsoft Office, to include Word, Excel, and Power Point.
• Candidates must possess Bachelor's Degree from a U.S. accredited college/university (or foreign education that has been determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evalulator) with at least 30 semester hours in basic science, natural science, or any combination thereof, and have acquired a minimum of two (2) years of experience in the field of sanitation and/or environmental health.
• Candidates must have experience working in food safety.
• Candidates must have experience communicating with and serving the public.

Responsibilities

• Reviews/endorses retail food inspections conducted by DSHS Regional Field Sanitarians, ensuring proper format, appropriate citation of deficiencies, and presentation of supporting evidence.
• Writes warning letters and develops enforcement cases for violative retail food establishments.
• Interacts with inspection staff and regulated stakeholders to provide assistance and respond to complex questions regarding interpretation of statutes and rules related to retail food establishments as they apply to daily operations.
• Assists with the maintenance and update of website registries, legislative reviews, rule amendments, bill analyses, and formal responses to legislative and other governmental and general inquiries.
• Helps maintain electronic standardization records and computerized statewide database of standardized training officers.
• Conducts joint field inspections and audits inspections as assigned.
• Monitors the quality of reports submitted by new field inspectors who are assigned to conduct retail food establishment inspections.
• Participates in development of field manuals, presentations, and other training materials.
• Performs emergency response functions and participates in emergency response training as required.
• Participates in exercises and actual emergency responses as required.

Benefits

• DSHS offers 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
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees