Inspections Sanitarian I

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Temple, TX

4d • $3,793 - $5,921 • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Food & Drug Department, is hiring a Sanitarian I to conduct environmental sanitation inspections and investigations. The work 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 in East Texas, generally from Henderson County to Montgomery County and eastward. The position is based in Temple, Texas, and is not eligible for telework. Travel may be up to 70%. Under the supervision of the Manufactured and Retail Foods Branch Manager, the sanitarian inspects food manufacturers and retailers, as well as other food, sanitation, and recreational facilities. The work includes investigating complaints, foodborne outbreaks, and disasters involving food products; collecting samples and photographic evidence; and preparing detailed technical reports. The employee works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for initiative and independent judgment. Overnight travel may occur, and the employee may be on call or required to respond to emergencies. The position may also require overtime, extended hours, or work outside the normal Monday-through-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule. The employee may be assigned alternate shifts or locations during disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activation.

Inspections cover food manufacturers and wholesalers, warehouses, salvage establishments, brokers, retailers, permitted and nonpermitted food service facilities, public-school cafeterias, mobile food units, temporary-event vendors, youth camps, swimming pools, public interactive water features, playgrounds, and private water supplies. The employee also provides information and training, presents technical material, and may give testimony in hearings or court trials.

The Sanitarian I classification requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university (or equivalent foreign education), at least 30 semester hours in basic or natural science, and two years of sanitation-field experience. TDLR's Sanitarian Registration Program determines whether applicants meet the educational and experience requirements. Applicants who do not qualify for Sanitarian I may be considered for Environmental Protection Specialist I (EPS I)/Sanitarian-In-Training (SIT), which requires the specified bachelor's degree and science credits, with less than two years or no sanitation-field experience. A valid Texas driver's license or equivalent license from another state is required. A Texas Professional Registered Sanitarian license is listed as preferred, and the posting also states it is required to be considered for the Sanitarian I position.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or equivalent foreign education, with at least 30 semester hours in basic or natural science.
• Two years of experience in the sanitation field for Sanitarian I classification; applicants with less than two years or no experience may be considered for EPS I/SIT instead.
• 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 technical inspection aspects of food manufacturing, distribution, salvaging, retail food establishments, and youth camps.
• Effective professional verbal and written communication, technical report writing, word processing, computer use, and applicable inspection software skills.
• Ability to make appropriate field decisions, plan investigations in difficult or sensitive situations, and select and apply investigative and negotiating methods for complete, professional inspections.
• Ability to use photographic, laboratory, and field-testing equipment and track multiple program and compliance activities.
• Ability to provide own transportation for inspections, training, emergency response, and other job duties.
• Ability to perform inspection work that may involve ladders or catwalks, 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 hours and be available for emergency or disaster responses, 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 effectively and tactfully with regulated industry, the public, coworkers, and managers.
• Applicants must demonstrate in their application how they meet the initial selection criteria and bring a copy of their transcript to the interview.

Nice To Haves

• Possession of a Texas Professional Registered Sanitarian (RS) license is identified as preferred in the posting; the posting also says it is required to be considered for Sanitarian I.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and investigate food manufacturers, wholesalers and warehouses, salvage establishments, and brokers; complete detentions and destructions according to Division policy.
• Issue written notices of inspectional observations before completing inspections and prepare detailed technical reports with photographs, samples, and other exhibits.
• Inspect permitted and nonpermitted food establishments, including public-school cafeterias, retail food-service establishments, retail food stores, and mobile food establishments, for compliance with regulatory and sanitary requirements.
• Conduct environmental sanitation inspections at youth camps, mass gatherings, and field sanitation settings; prepare and submit inspection and survey reports.
• Use assigned inspection software and agency protocols, including taking digital photographs, to document inspection findings.
• Investigate complaints and foodborne outbreaks, conduct special investigations and assignments, and provide training, including joint field inspections and reports.
• Provide food-related information and assistance to citizens, regulated industry, and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Prepare technical presentations and participate in educational programs and training offered by DSHS, the FDA, and external partners.
• Complete electronic travel reports, monthly activity reports, timesheets, and other required Division and Department reports.
• Present technical inspection information and testify at hearings and court trials; prepare reports, summaries, and exhibits for counsel.
• Participate in disaster response or recovery and Continuity of Operations activities, including possible alternate shifts or locations.
• Respond to emergencies as needed and remain available for emergency or disaster response, including 24-hour on-call availability.

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: Entry Level