Inspections Sanitarian I

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.

About the role

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 the Dallas 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.

Responsibilities

• 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. Prepare 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• Valid Texas driver's license or equivalent license from another state.

Qualifications

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
• 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 computer 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
• 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 100lbs., 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
• Communicate effectively and tactfully with the regulated industry, public, coworkers, and managers

Certifications & licensure

• Valid Texas driver's license or equivalent license from another state (required)
• Professional Registered Sanitarian license State of Texas (preferred; must be obtained within six months of employment)
• OR Environmental Protection Specialist/Sanitarian-In-Training: Bachelor's degree from a US accredited college/university (or foreign equivalent) with at least 30 semester hours in basic science or natural science or any combination. No experience or less than two years of experience in the field of sanitation.

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).

Pay

Salary range: $3,793.41 – $5,921.25 per month (Salary Group: TEXAS-B-18). Pay frequency: Monthly.

Schedule

• Shift: Day
• Full-time, regular position
• FLSA: Non-exempt
• Travel: Up to 70%
• Telework: Not eligible
• May require overtime, extended hours, and/or hours outside the normal 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday schedule
• Occasional overnight travel and on-call availability for emergency or disaster responses (24 hours on call)

Additional information

• Your application must demonstrate how you meet the initial selection criteria.
• Consideration will be given to known past job performance, if applicable, and prior work history.
• Active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified. Military occupation codes that may relate: 8056, 43HX, 4E0X1, 68S, 740A, 74A, 74D, 92W, MSSR, MST. See the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk for more information.
• In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process.