Inspections Sanitarian II

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Houston, TX

1d•$4,263 - $6,779•Onsite

About The Position

The 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 Texas laws and regulations. Most inspections are 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 II performs advanced environmental sanitation work with limited supervision and considerable latitude to use initiative and independent judgment. The role inspects food manufacturers and retailers, including specialized processors, bottling plants, bakeries, 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 responds to complaints, foodborne outbreaks, disasters involving food products, and other emergencies; gathers samples, photographs, and exhibits; and prepares technical inspection reports. It also supports work planning, inspection assignments, report review, staff training, and technical assistance. Overnight travel may be required, and the employee may be on call or available to respond to emergencies. The position is based in Houston, Texas, and is not eligible for telework. Travel may be up to 60%. The role may require overtime, extended hours, work outside the usual Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. schedule, and emergency or disaster-response assignments. Required physical activities may include 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 small-print labels during inspections.

Requirements

At least two years of combined experience conducting manufactured-food, retail-food, youth-camp, or public-sanitation inspections.
Professional Registered Sanitarian license issued by the State of Texas.
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 and negotiating techniques.
Knowledge of state and federal food, youth-camp, and public-sanitation laws and regulations.
Knowledge of technical inspection practices for food manufacturing, distribution, salvaging, retail food establishments, and youth camps.
Effective professional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write detailed technical reports.
Skill in using computers and applicable inspection software.
Ability to make appropriate field decisions and plan investigations in difficult and sensitive situations.
Skill in selecting, adapting, and applying investigative methods and negotiating techniques to conduct complete, professional inspections and investigations.
Skill in using photographic, laboratory, and field-testing equipment for health and safety inspections.
Ability to track multiple program and compliance activities at different stages of development.
Proactive problem-solving, organization, work-planning, and inspection-report-review skills.
Ability to perform inspection work that may involve ladders or catwalks, lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds, pushing or pulling up to 100 pounds, prolonged standing, identifying rodent and insect filth, and reading labels with 1/32-inch type.
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.
Ability to manage time across core duties and regulatory requirements and assist managers with administrative work-group assignments.
Ability to work occasional hours outside normal duty hours and be available for emergency or disaster response.

Responsibilities

Inspect and investigate food manufacturers, wholesalers, warehouses, salvage establishments, and brokers.
Investigate complaints and foodborne outbreaks; complete detentions and destructions in accordance with Division policy.
Issue written notices of inspectional observations before completing facility inspections and prepare technical reports documenting findings, including photographs, 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, for compliance with sanitary requirements.
Conduct environmental sanitation inspections for youth camps, mass gatherings, and field sanitation; prepare and submit inspection and survey reports.
Use assigned inspection software and take digital photographs in accordance with agency protocols.
Assist management with scheduling, data tracking, reporting, and preparation of work-group reports.
Plan, organize, and execute high-priority assignments while managing time across inspections, desk work, and changing project goals.
Serve as a subject matter expert and resource for inspection staff; conduct special investigations and assignments as directed.
Provide training, participate in joint field inspections, assist with work planning, and review inspection reports.
Provide information and assistance on food-related topics to citizens, regulated industry, and local, state, and federal agencies.
Prepare technical presentations and participate in educational programs and training presented by the Department, FDA, and external partners.
Present technical inspection information and provide testimony at hearings and court trials; prepare reports, summaries, and exhibits for counsel.
Complete electronic travel reports, monthly activity reports, time sheets, and other required Division and Department reports.
Participate in disaster response or recovery and Continuity of Operations activities, which may require a different shift pattern or work location.
Provide own transportation for inspections, training, emergency response, and other job duties.
Occasionally work outside normal duty hours and be available for emergency or disaster response, including 24-hour on-call availability.