Inspections

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Arlington, TX

6d • $3,793 - $5,921 • Onsite

About The Position

The Sanitarian I performs moderately complex environmental sanitation inspection work for the Department of State Health Services Food & Drug program. Under the supervision of the Manufactured and Retail Foods Branch Manager, the position enforces 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 are conducted in the western Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, including Tarrant, Denton, Wichita Falls, and Erath counties and surrounding areas.

The position inspects food manufacturers, retailers, distributors, warehouses, salvage firms, 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. It responds to complaints, foodborne outbreaks, disasters, and other investigations; collects samples and evidence; and prepares technical reports documenting findings. Work is performed under general supervision, with moderate latitude for initiative and independent judgment. The role may involve overnight travel, emergency availability, on-call duty, overtime, extended hours, and hours outside the normal Monday-through-Friday schedule. The position is not eligible for telework and involves travel of up to 70%.

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 of these subjects.
• For the Environmental Protection Specialist/Sanitarian-In-Training criterion: the required bachelor’s degree and science coursework, with no experience or less than two years of sanitation-field experience.
• Valid Texas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state.
• Ability to provide personal transportation for inspections, training, emergencies, and other job 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 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.
• 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 practices for food manufacturing, distribution, salvage, retail food establishments, and youth camps.
• Skill in professional verbal and written communication, 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 and applying investigative and negotiating techniques 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 prepare concise technical reports, correlate scientific data with field conditions to assess public health risks, and communicate tactfully with regulated industry, the public, coworkers, and managers.

Nice To Haves

• Professional Registered Sanitarian license in the State of Texas; the posting states that this license is required 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 with photos, samples, and other exhibits.
• Inspect 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 involving youth camps, mass gatherings, and field sanitation, and prepare and submit inspection and survey reports.
• Use assigned inspection software and digital photography according to agency protocols to document 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 training offered by the Department, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and external partners.
• Complete electronic travel reports, monthly activity reports, timesheets, and other required reports.
• Present technical information and testimony during hearings and trials, and prepare reports, summaries, and exhibits for counsel.
• Participate in or support disaster response, recovery, and Continuity of Operations activation, potentially involving alternate shifts or work locations.
• Respond to emergencies as needed and perform other assigned duties.

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