Sanitarian

About the role

The Sanitarian I position performs moderately complex food service and environmental sanitation inspection work under the supervision and technical review of the Sanitarian III, Public Health Region 9/10. Work involves conducting inspections for permitted programs, public facilities, buildings, or plants upon request, including institutional and field sanitation and other related environmental activities.

Responsibilities

• EJF 1 (60%) Regulatory inspections. Conduct inspections for permitted programs, public facilities, buildings, or plants upon request, including retail food establishments, mobile food units, youth camps, school cafeterias, and institutional establishments such as county jails and State prisons, school buildings, recreational areas, fairgrounds, public parks, amusement centers, public lodging, R.V. parks, motels, hotels, inns, and public buildings for sanitary conditions upon request.
• EJF 2 (15%) Complaints and consultative activities. Investigate consumer complaints, complaints against regulated entities according to program priority protocol, and provide consultative services and education on sanitary practices for local health departments, county governments, local municipalities, business organizations, and the general public.
• EJF 3 (10%) Legal actions and enforcement. Prepare for legal and enforcement actions with supervisor and central office program for administrative penalty hearings, permit revocation, and formal settlement conference hearings.
• EJF 4 (10%) Technical Assistance. Provide technical assistance to retail food establishments, public facilities related to environmental sanitation, owners/operators, public officials, and the general public on food safety and the interpretation and compliance with State food codes and regulations.
• EJF 5 (5%) Other duties as assigned. Participate in disaster response and recovery initiatives, assist local health department inspectors, and provide food safety training programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from a US 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 acquire two (2) years of experience in the field of sanitation.
• Environmental Protection Specialist (EPS I)/Sanitarian-In-Training (SIT) 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. No experience or less than (2) years of experience in the field of sanitation.

Qualifications

• Registered Sanitarian in the State of Texas.
• Pass a Professional Sanitarian exam within six (6) months from the date of employment.
• Achieve Professional Registered Sanitarian status within 2 years from the date of employment.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of State and Federal statutes/regulations regarding food safety and environmental sanitation.
• Knowledge of inspection techniques used for retail food establishments and types of equipment used in those establishments.
• Knowledge of food safety systems such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles and how they apply to retail food establishments.
• Use of computer word processors, spreadsheet applications, databases, and web-based browsers to document inspections.
• Use of photographic equipment, laboratory and field testing equipment to conduct health and safety inspections.
• Verbal communications to work effectively with diverse groups of people.
• Meeting critical deadlines.
• Planning, organizing, and prioritizing work to meet deadlines.
• Climbing, bending, and standing for extended periods of time during investigations/inspections.
• Moving up to 50 lbs., inspections and investigations.
• Reading and interpreting food labels with small print during inspections and investigations.
• Obtaining samples related to food, insect, or filth.
• Communicating effectively and tactfully with the regulated industry, general public, co-workers, and managers.

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

$4,372.08 per month, based on experience.

Schedule

Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time