Inspections Sanitarian II

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Harlingen, TX

2d • $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 health and safety laws and regulations. Most inspections will be conducted in the Lower South Texas counties in the McAllen area.

Under the supervision of the Manufactured and Retail Foods Branch Manager, the Sanitarian II performs advanced environmental sanitation work. The position inspects food manufacturers and retailers, including processors and facilities handling low-acid canned foods, acidified foods, pasteurized juice, aseptic foods, bottled water, seafood, dietary supplements, and other food products. Inspections also cover 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 role responds to complaints and emergencies involving food products; collects samples, photographs, and other exhibits; and prepares detailed technical inspection reports. It assists with annual work planning, inspection assignments, and report review. The employee works under limited supervision with considerable latitude to use initiative and independent judgment. Overnight travel may occur, and the employee may be on call or required to respond to emergencies.

Requirements

• Must be registered as a professional sanitarian by the State of Texas.
• At least two years of combined experience conducting manufactured-food, retail-food, youth-camp, or public-sanitation inspections.
• Valid Texas driver's license or equivalent license from another state.
• Knowledge of scientific disciplines and their applications, 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 practices for food manufacturing, distribution, salvage, retail food establishments, and youth camps.
• Skill in professional verbal and written communication, detailed technical report writing, and the use of computers and applicable inspection software.
• Skill in making appropriate field decisions and planning investigations in difficult or sensitive situations; selecting and applying investigative and negotiation methods; and using photographic, laboratory, and field-testing equipment.
• Skill in tracking multiple program and compliance activities, proactive problem solving, organization, work planning, and inspection-report review.
• Ability to provide personal transportation for inspections, training, emergency response, and other job duties.
• Ability to perform inspections that may require ladder or catwalk access, 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 work occasionally outside normal duty hours and be available for emergency or disaster response on a 24-hour on-call basis.
• Ability to prepare concise technical reports, interpret scientific data alongside field conditions to assess public-health risks, and communicate tactfully with industry, the public, coworkers, and managers.
• Ability to manage time across core duties and regulatory requirements and assist managers with administrative work supporting group operations.
• The position may require overtime, extended hours, or work outside the normal 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday schedule.

Nice To Haves

• Professional Registered Sanitarian license from the State of Texas is listed as preferred; the posting also states that this license is required for consideration and identifies it as an initial screening criterion.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and investigate food manufacturers, wholesalers, warehouses, salvage establishments, and brokers.
• Investigate complaints and foodborne outbreaks, and complete detentions and destructions in accordance with Division policy.
• Issue written notices of inspectional observations 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.
• Conduct environmental sanitation inspections at youth camps, mass gatherings, and field sanitation sites.
• Prepare and submit inspection and survey reports using assigned inspection software, including digital photographs taken according to agency protocols.
• Assist management with scheduling, data tracking, reporting, work-group reports, and work planning.
• Plan and carry out high-priority assignments, manage time across inspections and desk work, and adapt to changing project goals.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and resource for inspection staff; conduct special investigations and assignments as directed.
• Provide training, including joint field inspections, and assist with work planning and inspection-report review.
• Provide food-related information and assistance to citizens, regulated businesses, and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Prepare technical presentations and participate in training and educational programs offered by the Department, the FDA, and external partners.
• Present technical inspection information and testify at hearings and court trials; prepare supporting reports, summaries, and exhibits for counsel.
• Complete electronic travel reports, monthly activity reports, timesheets, and other required Division and Department reports.
• Support disaster response, recovery, and Continuity of Operations activities, which may require 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed