Inspections Sanitarian II

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Midland, TX

2d•$4,263 - $6,779•Onsite

About The Position

The Sanitarian II performs advanced environmental sanitation work for the Department of State Health Services’ Food & Drug program, supporting 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 laws and regulations. The position is based in Midland, Texas, and most inspections are conducted in the El Paso area and counties east to Gillespie County. The position is not eligible for telework and may involve travel of up to 60%. It operates under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment, and reports to the Manufactured and Retail Foods Branch Manager. The role inspects food manufacturers and retailers, including specialized food processors and facilities, warehouses, salvage firms, schools, food service establishments, retail food stores, mobile food units, temporary-event vendors, youth camps, swimming pools, public interactive water features, playgrounds, and private water supplies. The Sanitarian II responds to complaints, foodborne outbreaks, disasters, and emergencies; gathers samples and documentation; and prepares detailed technical inspection reports. The position also assists with work planning, assignments, inspection-report review, training, and technical support to inspection staff. Overnight travel may occur, and the employee may be on call or required to respond to emergencies. The position requires a Texas professional Registered Sanitarian license and at least two years of combined experience conducting inspections in manufactured foods, retail foods, youth camps, or public sanitation. A valid Texas driver’s license or equivalent from another state is required. Duties may require overtime, extended hours, work outside the usual 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-through-Friday schedule, and participation in disaster response or continuity-of-operations activities, potentially on an alternate shift or at another location.

Requirements

Be registered as a professional sanitarian by the State of Texas; this license is required for consideration.
Have at least two years of combined experience conducting manufactured foods, retail foods, youth camp, or public sanitation inspections.
Possess a valid Texas driver’s license or 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 technical inspection practices for food facilities and youth camps.
Skill in professional verbal and written communication and preparation of detailed technical reports.
Skill in using computers and applicable inspection software, photographic, laboratory, and field-testing equipment.
Skill in making field decisions; planning investigations in difficult or sensitive situations; and selecting and applying investigative and negotiation methods for thorough inspections.
Skill in tracking multiple program and compliance activities, proactive problem solving, organization, work planning, and inspection-report review.
Ability to recognize and correlate scientific data with field conditions to determine public health risks and to 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 assignments.
Ability to perform inspection work that may involve 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 with 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 provide concise, accurate technical reports documenting inspection findings.

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.
Provide facilities with 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 for youth camps, mass gatherings, and field sanitation, and submit inspection and survey reports to the appropriate Operations Branch.
Prepare detailed inspection findings using assigned software and take digital photographs in accordance with agency protocols.
Assist management with scheduling, data tracking, reporting, and work-group reports; plan and execute high-priority assignments.
Serve as a subject-matter expert and resource for inspection staff, conduct special investigations and assignments, provide training and joint field inspections, assist with work planning, and review inspection 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 educational programs and training.
Present technical information and testimony at hearings and court trials, and prepare supporting reports, summaries, and exhibits for counsel.
Complete electronic travel reports, monthly activity reports, timesheets, and other required reports.
Participate in disaster response or recovery and Continuity of Operations activities as assigned.
Use independent judgment to make field decisions, plan investigations, manage time across inspections and desk work, and communicate findings tactfully.
Provide personal transportation for inspections, training, emergency response, and other job duties.