DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.
Employee Benefits:
DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.
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Functional Title: Inspections Sanitarian I Job Title: Sanitarian I Agency: Dept of State Health Services Department: Food & Drug Posting Number: 22918 Closing Date: 01/01/2027 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science Salary Range: $3,793.41 - $5,921.25 Pay Frequency: Monthly Salary Group: TEXAS-B-18 Shift: Day
Additional Shift:
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 70% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: ARLINGTON Job Location Address: 1301 S BOWEN RD STE 200
Other Locations:
MOS Codes: 8056,43HX,4E0X1,68S,740A,74A,74D,92W,MSSR,MST
The Unit is responsible for compliance with the Texas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Warehousing Practices regulations, utilizing the FDA Food Code, Texas Food Establishment Rules, and other applicable Texas Health and Safety Codes and regulations. Most inspections will be conducted in Dallas, Kaufman, and Ellis counties and the surrounding area.
Under the supervision of the Manufactured and Retail Foods Branch Manager, performs moderately complex (journey-level) environmental sanitation inspection work. Inspects food manufacturers and retailers including the following: low acid canned foods, acidified food processors, pasteurized juice, aseptic foods, bottled water, seafood, dietary supplements, bottling plants, bakeries, re-packers, warehouses, salvage firms, public-school cafeterias, permitted and nonpermitted food service facilities, retail food stores, mobile food units, vendors at temporary events, youth camps, swimming pools, public interactive water features, playgrounds, and private water supplies. Responds to complaints and disasters involving food products. Collects necessary samples, photos, exhibits and prepares highly technical written reports documenting inspectional findings. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. May participate in overnight travel and be on call or available to respond to emergency situations as needed.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
EJF 30%: Performs inspections and investigations involving food manufacturers, wholesalers/warehouses, salvage establishments, and brokers. Completes detentions and destructions according to Division policy. Completes and issues a written notice of inspectional observations for facilities prior to completing the inspection. Prepares highly technical inspection reports that may include photos, samples, and other exhibits to document inspectional findings.
EJF 30%: Performs inspections and investigations of permitted and non-permitted establishments, including public school cafeterias; retail food service establishments; retail food stores; mobile food establishments; and other food establishments to ensure conformance with regulatory and accepted sanitary requirements. Performs environmental sanitation inspections for youth camps, mass gatherings, and field sanitation. Prepares and submits inspection and survey reports to the appropriate Operations Branch. Prepares detailed reports of findings using assigned inspection software, including taking digital photos in accordance with agency protocols.
EJF 20%: Investigates complaints and foodborne outbreaks. Conducts special investigations and other special assignments as directed. Provides training, including joint field inspections and reports.
EJF 10%: Provides information and assistance on food-related subjects as requested by citizens, regulated industry, and other local, state and federal agencies. Prepares technical presentations on applicable subjects for Division training programs, as requested. Participates in educational programs and training presented by the Department, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and additional external partners, as directed (training locations can be located out-of-state). Completes electronic travel reports, monthly activity reports, time sheets, and other Division and Department reports as required.
EJF 5%: Presents technical information regarding inspections and gives testimony during hearings and court trials. Prepares special reports, summaries, and exhibits for use by counsel during hearings and trials.
EJF 5%: Other duties assigned include, but are not limited to, actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or a change of locations.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA):
List the knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to performance in this position:
Knowledge of:
- theory and practical applications of scientific disciplines including: microbiology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, epidemiology, statistics, thermodynamics, nutrition, and food toxicology;
- investigative methods and negotiating techniques;
- state and federal food, youth camp, and public sanitation laws and regulations; and
- technical inspection aspects of various types of food manufacturing, distribution, and salvaging, retail food establishments, and youth camps.
Skill in:
- effective and professional verbal and written communication;
- writing detailed technical reports; word processing;
- the use of computers and applicable inspection software;
- making appropriate decisions in the field, and planning how investigations should proceed in difficult and sensitive situations;
- selecting, adapting, and applying investigative methods and negotiating techniques to conduct complete, professional inspections and investigations;
- the use of photographic, laboratory, and field-testing equipment to conduct health and safety inspections; and
- tracking multiple program and compliance activities at different stages of development.
Ability to:
- provide own transportation for the purpose of conducting inspections, receiving training, responding to emergencies, and other job duties;
- perform inspectional work which may require using ladders or catwalks to access equipment, lifting/carrying up to 50lbs, pulling/pushing up to 100 lbs, standing for extended periods of time, identifying rodent and insect filth, and reading labels with 1/32-inch type size during inspections;
- occasionally work outside normal duty hours to accommodate workload, and to be available for emergency or disaster responses (24 hours on call);
- prepare concise, technical reports to accurately document inspection findings;
- recognize, assimilate, and correlate scientific data with documented field conditions to determine public health risks; and
- communicate effectively and tactfully with the regulated industry, public, coworkers, and managers.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
- Preferred: Professional Registered Sanitarian license, State of Texas. This license is required for the Sanitarian I position.
• Valid Texas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state.
Initial Screening Criteria:
- Must have a bachelor’s degree from a US-accredited college/university (or foreign education that has been determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evaluator), with at least 30 semester hours in basic science or natural science or any combination.
• This position is posted as Sanitarian I. If an applicant does not meet the requirements for the Sanitarian I classification, the position can be understaffed, and the applicant will be considered for the Environmental Protection Specialist I (EPS I) classification. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) Sanitarian Registration Program will determine whether an applicant meets the educational requirements and gives credit for relevant work experience to determine the applicant’s qualifying status as one of the following:
Sanitarian I Requirements:
Bachelor's degree from a U.S. accredited college/university (or foreign education that has been determined to be equivalent) with at least 30 semester hours in basic science or natural science or any combination thereof and acquires two (2) years of experience in the field of sanitation.
-OR-
Environmental Protection Specialist I (EPS I)/Sanitarian-In-Training (SIT) requirements:
Bachelor's degree from a U.S. accredited college/university (or foreign education that has been determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evaluator) with at least 30 semester hours in basic science or natural science or any combination. No experience or less than (2) years of experience in the field of sanitation.
Additional Information:
- PLEASE NOTE: Your application must demonstrate how you meet the initial selection criteria.
- This position may require overtime, extended hours, and/or hours outside of the normal 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday schedule.
- Consideration will be given to known past job performance, if applicable, and prior work history.
Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.
ADA Accommodations:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.
Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:
- The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
- Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
- DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 form