Inspections Sanitarian I

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • New Boston, TX

2d • $3,793 - $5,921 • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of State Health Services Food & Drug Unit ensures 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 Northeast Texas, in counties east of Grayson, Collin, and Rockwall counties.

Under the supervision of the Manufactured and Retail Foods Branch Manager, the Sanitarian I performs moderately complex environmental sanitation inspection work. The role inspects food manufacturers and retailers—including low-acid canned food and acidified-food processors, pasteurized juice and aseptic-food facilities, bottled-water and seafood businesses, dietary-supplement operations, bottling plants, bakeries, re-packers, warehouses, salvage firms, 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 position also responds to complaints and food-related disasters, collects samples and other evidence, and prepares technical written reports documenting findings. Work is under general supervision with moderate latitude for initiative and independent judgment. Overnight travel may occur, and the employee may be on call or respond to emergencies as needed.

The position is based in New Boston, Texas, and is not eligible for telework. Travel may be up to 70%. The role may require overtime, extended hours, work outside the normal Monday-through-Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. schedule, and participation in disaster response or recovery, potentially involving a different shift pattern or work location.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a U.S.-accredited college or university, or equivalent foreign education, with at least 30 semester hours in basic science or natural science, or a combination thereof.
• For Sanitarian I classification: two years of experience in the field of sanitation, as well as the qualifying bachelor’s degree and science coursework.
• Valid Texas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state.
• Professional Registered Sanitarian (RS) license from the State of Texas is preferred in the posting, but is also stated to be required for consideration for the Sanitarian I position.
• Knowledge of scientific disciplines and their practical applications, including microbiology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, epidemiology, statistics, thermodynamics, nutrition, and food toxicology.
• Knowledge of investigative methods, 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.
• Skill in professional verbal and written communication, detailed technical report writing, word processing, computer use, and applicable inspection software.
• Skill in making field decisions, planning investigations in difficult or sensitive situations, and selecting, adapting, and applying investigative and negotiating methods for inspections and investigations.
• Skill in using photographic, laboratory, and field-testing equipment for health and safety inspections and tracking multiple program and compliance activities.
• Ability to provide own transportation for work 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 size.
• Ability to occasionally work outside normal duty hours and be available for emergency or disaster response, including 24-hour on-call availability.
• Ability to prepare concise technical reports, assess scientific data alongside documented field conditions to determine public health risks, and communicate effectively and tactfully with industry, the public, coworkers, and managers.
• Applicants must demonstrate how they meet the initial selection criteria in their application.
• Applicants must bring a copy of their transcript to the interview.

Nice To Haves

• A Professional Registered Sanitarian (RS) license from the State of Texas is identified as preferred in the posting.
• Relevant military occupations listed in the posting may relate to the selection criteria and licensing requirements.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and investigate food manufacturers, wholesalers, warehouses, salvage establishments, and brokers; complete detentions and destructions according to Division policy.
• Issue written notices of inspectional observations and prepare technical inspection reports with photographs, samples, and other exhibits documenting findings.
• Inspect and investigate permitted and non-permitted food establishments, including school cafeterias, retail food-service establishments, food stores, and mobile food establishments, for compliance with sanitary requirements.
• Conduct environmental sanitation inspections for youth camps, mass gatherings, and field sanitation, and 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.
• Investigate complaints and foodborne outbreaks; conduct special investigations and assignments as directed.
• Provide training, including joint field inspections and 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 educational programs and training offered by the Department, FDA, and external partners.
• Complete electronic travel reports, monthly activity reports, timesheets, and other required reports.
• Present technical inspection information and testimony at hearings and court trials; prepare reports, summaries, and exhibits for counsel.
• Participate in or support disaster response and recovery or Continuity of Operations activation, which may require alternate shifts or locations.
• Provide own transportation for inspections, training, emergency response, and other job duties.
• Be available for emergency or disaster response, including 24-hour on-call availability, and occasionally work outside normal duty hours.

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