Inspections Sanitarian I
About The Position
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Food & Drug Unit enforces the Texas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and applicable Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Warehousing Practices, FDA Food Code, Texas Food Establishment Rules, and other state health and safety regulations. Most inspections are conducted in the Panhandle area and south to Tom Green County and surrounding areas. Under the supervision of the Manufactured and Retail Foods Branch Manager, the Sanitarian I performs journey-level environmental sanitation inspections and investigations. The role inspects a wide range of food manufacturers, retailers, warehouses, salvage firms, food service facilities, schools, mobile food units, temporary-event vendors, youth camps, swimming pools, public interactive water features, playgrounds, and private water supplies. The position responds to food-related complaints and disasters, collects samples and other evidence, and prepares technical reports documenting findings. 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 asked to respond to emergencies. The role may involve up to 70% travel, overtime or extended hours, work outside the normal Monday-through-Friday schedule, and emergency or disaster response. The position is not eligible for telework and is based in San Angelo. A valid Texas driver’s license or equivalent from another state is required. Applicants must meet the stated bachelor’s degree and science-credit criteria. A Texas Professional Registered Sanitarian license is listed as preferred in one section of the posting; the posting also states it is required to be considered for the Sanitarian I position.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a U.S.-accredited college or university, or equivalent foreign education, with at least 30 semester hours in basic or natural science, or a combination of those subjects.
- Valid Texas driver’s license or an equivalent license from another state.
- 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 inspection practices for food manufacturing, distribution, salvage, retail food establishments, and youth camps.
- Professional verbal and written communication, technical report writing, word processing, and use of computers and applicable inspection software.
- Ability to make appropriate field decisions, plan investigations in difficult or sensitive situations, and select and apply investigative methods and negotiating techniques.
- Skill 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 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 with 1/32-inch type during inspections.
- Ability to work occasionally outside normal duty hours and be available for emergency or disaster response, including 24-hour on-call availability.
- Ability to prepare concise, accurate technical reports, interpret scientific data alongside field conditions to assess public health risks, and communicate tactfully with industry, the public, coworkers, and managers.
- The posting describes a Sanitarian-in-Training alternative as a bachelor’s degree with at least 30 semester hours in basic or natural science and no experience or less than two years of sanitation-field experience.
Nice To Haves
- Professional Registered Sanitarian license from the State of Texas is preferred; the posting also states this license is required to be considered for the Sanitarian I position.
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, including photographs, samples, and other exhibits documenting findings.
- Inspect and investigate permitted and non-permitted food establishments, including school cafeterias, retail food service establishments, retail food stores, and mobile food establishments, for compliance with sanitary requirements.
- Conduct environmental sanitation inspections for youth camps, mass gatherings, and field sanitation; submit inspection and survey reports to the appropriate Operations Branch.
- Prepare detailed reports of findings using assigned inspection software and take digital photographs in accordance with agency protocols.
- Investigate complaints and foodborne outbreaks, conduct special investigations and assignments, and 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 agency, FDA, and external-partner education and training programs, including training that may take place out of state.
- Complete electronic travel reports, monthly activity reports, timesheets, and other required Division and Department reports.
- Present technical inspection information and provide testimony at hearings and court trials; prepare reports, summaries, and exhibits for counsel.
- Participate in or support agency disaster response, recovery, and Continuity of Operations activities, which may require a shift-pattern or work-location change.
Benefits
- Insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
