Inspections Sanitarian I

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Arlington, TX

3d • $3,793 - $5,921 • Onsite

About The Position

The Sanitarian I performs moderately complex, journey-level environmental sanitation inspection 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 and Good Warehousing Practices regulations, the FDA Food Code, Texas Food Establishment Rules, and other applicable laws and regulations. Inspections are conducted primarily in Dallas, Kaufman, and Ellis counties and surrounding areas. The role is based in Arlington, Texas, is not eligible for telework, involves travel up to 70%, and may involve overnight travel, on-call availability, emergency response, and work outside normal duty hours.

The position inspects food manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, food-service establishments, warehouses, salvage firms, school cafeterias, mobile food units, temporary-event vendors, youth camps, swimming pools, public interactive water features, playgrounds, and private water supplies. It responds to complaints, foodborne outbreaks, and disasters involving food products; collects samples and other evidence; and prepares detailed technical reports documenting inspection findings. The employee works under general supervision, with moderate latitude to use initiative and independent judgment.

The posting states that a Professional Registered Sanitarian license from the State of Texas is preferred and required for the Sanitarian I position. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree with at least 30 semester hours in basic or natural science. Sanitarian I classification additionally requires two years of sanitation-field experience; applicants with less experience may be considered for Environmental Protection Specialist I/Sanitarian-in-Training classification. A valid Texas driver’s license or equivalent from another state is required.

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.
• For Sanitarian I classification: two years of experience in the field of sanitation in addition to the qualifying bachelor's degree and science coursework.
• Professional Registered Sanitarian license, State of Texas; the posting labels it preferred but also states it is required for the Sanitarian I position.
• Valid Texas driver's license or an 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; applicable state and federal food, youth camp, and public sanitation laws and regulations; and technical inspection aspects of food manufacturing, distribution, salvaging, retail establishments, and youth camps.
• Effective 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.
• Ability to use photographic, laboratory, and field-testing equipment for health and safety inspections and track multiple program and compliance activities.
• Ability to provide own transportation for inspections, training, emergency response, and other 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 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, correlate scientific data with field conditions to assess public health risks, and communicate tactfully with industry, the public, coworkers, and managers.
• Ability to travel up to 70%; overnight and out-of-state travel may occur.
• May be required to work overtime, extended hours, or hours outside the normal Monday-through-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule.

Nice To Haves

• Professional Registered Sanitarian license, State of Texas (identified as preferred in the registration section).

Responsibilities

• Inspect and investigate food manufacturers, wholesalers, warehouses, salvage establishments, and brokers; complete detentions and destructions according to Division policy.
• Provide facilities with written notices of inspectional observations before completing inspections and prepare technical inspection reports with photos, samples, and other exhibits.
• Inspect and investigate permitted and non-permitted food establishments, including school cafeterias, retail food-service establishments, retail food stores, and mobile food establishments.
• Conduct environmental sanitation inspections involving youth camps, mass gatherings, and field sanitation; submit inspection and survey reports to the appropriate Operations Branch.
• Document findings using assigned inspection software and digital photography in accordance with agency protocols.
• Investigate complaints and foodborne outbreaks and conduct special investigations and assignments.
• Provide training, including joint field inspections and reports.
• Provide information and assistance about food-related subjects to citizens, regulated industry, and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Prepare technical presentations and participate in agency, FDA, and external-partner training programs.
• Complete electronic travel reports, monthly activity reports, time sheets, and other required reports.
• Present technical information and testimony at hearings and court trials; prepare reports, summaries, and exhibits for counsel.
• Participate in disaster response or recovery and Continuity of Operations activation, potentially including alternate shifts or work locations.

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