Tattoo & Body Piercing Program Specialist

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.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Functional Title: Tattoo & Body Piercing Program Specialist 
Job Title: Environmental Protect Spcl III 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Environmental 
Posting Number: 8097 
Closing Date: 08/26/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-20 
Salary Range: $4,263.16 - $6,779.25 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 5% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 8056,8831,180X,1S0X1,3E9X1,43EX,43HX,4B0X1,4E0X1,680X,92W,AG,MSSR,MST,OAP14,OAR15 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Performs highly complex (senior-level) environmental sanitation work for Tattoo and Body Piercing regulatory programs under the supervision of the Environmental Operations Branch Manager. Develops program policies and standard operating procedures. Provides guidance and training to field staff and regulated industry personnel and conducts joint inspections. Reviews and endorses Tattoo and Body Piercing inspections and prepares and presents cases for escalated enforcement. Serves as an Operations Branch liaison with Compliance Section for Compliance Review Committee (CRC) meetings and informal conferences. Reviews, documents, and responds to complaints regarding tattoo and body piercing studios.  Coordinates rule revision projects with program staff and assists in developing agency cost estimates and bill analysis during legislative sessions. Provides program support to public health sanitation and youth camp programs and performs other duties as assigned by the Manager to meet the needs of the Branch and the Environmental Section. Duties also include participating in emergency response training and performing emergency response activities as assigned. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

(30%) Provides monitoring and coordination of Tattoo and Body Piercing program regulatory activities conducted under Health and Safety Code Chapter 146. Coordinates program activities with department staff, regional field staff, local health officials and key stakeholder organizations to review operational processes and procedures, identify barriers, and execute solutions as needed to ensure that program regulations are implemented effectively. Assists in the development of annual inspection work plans and prepares special reports and correspondence related to program activities. Develops policies and standard operating procedures for the program. Provides content to update DSHS Tattoo and Body Piercing program website as needed. Answers questions, complaints, and provides rule guidance to regional field staff and regulated industry. Conducts joint inspections for training purposes and to provide backup to regional inspection program when required.

(40%) Reviews and endorses inspection reports for tattoo and body piercing studios to ensure fair and uniform application of the regulatory standards using Microsoft Word, Excel, and the Regulatory Automation System (RAS) applications including VERSA Regulation (VR), Iron Data Mobile (IDM), RAS Portal, and Hyland OnBase. Reports may include following-up with studio operators on Corrective Action Plans. Prepares and presents cases involving tattoo and body piercing studios for escalated enforcement as needed. Serves as the Operations Branch liaison with Compliance Section for Compliance Review Committee (CRC) meetings and informal conferences. Serves as expert witness and works closely with legal counsel to prepare for contested cases referred to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH).

(15%) Provides oversight and monitoring of tattoo and body piercing program complaints received and investigated. Assists with intake, review, classification, assignment and/or referral of complaints, including related correspondence.

(10%) Serves as subject matter expert regarding Tattoo and Body Piercing programs to coordinate rule revision projects with program staff and assist in developing agency cost estimates and bill analysis during legislative sessions. Assists in the development of rules packages, ensuring participation by stakeholders, legal counsel, and program staff to develop rule language. Works closely with the Environmental Rules Coordinator to develop proposed rules packages and meet required timelines. Assists in developing goals, strategies, time frames, priorities, and plans for implementing state legislation and rules. Reviews and evaluates draft rule products of teams to ensure that goals are achieved. May assist in presenting rule packages to Health and Humans Services Executive Council.

(5%) Performs other duties as assigned by the Manager to meet the needs of the Branch and Section.  Duties also include providing program support to public health sanitation and youth camp programs and participating in emergency response training and performing emergency response activities as assigned.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge and comprehension of state statutes and regulations affecting tattoo and body piercing studios under Health and Safety Code Chapter 146 and Texas Administrative Code Chapter 229, Subchapter B.

Knowledge of environmental sanitation principles and practices, state and federal public health laws, and public health organization structures and functions.

Knowledge of legislative procedures and agency rule-making processes.

Skill in understanding and interpreting relevant statutes and regulations.

Skill in reviewing technical inspection, investigation, or audit reports to ensure compliance with regulations.

Skill in technical writing, training, teaching, public speaking, and risk communication.

Skill in the use of various software programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.

Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities.

Ability to monitor environmental and public health programs, to develop and implement policies and procedures, to evaluate laws and ordinances, and to review the work of others.

Ability to conduct inspections and investigations, to prepare concise reports, and to communicate effectively.

Ability to assemble, correlate, and analyze data and facts to develop reports and to devise solutions to problems.

Ability to communicate technical information effectively, and to prepare and present highly technical information to professional groups and the public.

Ability to adhere to agency policies and procedures.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to make sound decisions.

Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with co-workers, teams, supervisor, managers, the regulated community, the public, and professionals at all levels of government and industry.

Ability to be tactful and diplomatic in adverse situations. 

Ability to travel as necessary to attend technical training courses, to perform outreach, to perform inspections, and to conduct training and evaluations of field staff. 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in physical sciences, life sciences, or a related field. Experience in the field of environmental regulations or public health sanitation. Experience and education may be substituted for one another. Six months of experience equals 15 education credit hours. Must be able to travel 5% of the time.

Preferred Criteria:

The following criteria are generally preferred but are not required; the hiring supervisor may consider any applicant that does not meet any or all the generally preferred criteria for this position, and may give preference to an applicant that meets one or more of the generally preferred criteria:

Experience in conducting inspections and investigations or reviewing inspection reports.

Experience interpreting laws and rules and offering guidance to industry, public, or local health departments.

Experience developing or maintaining policy, procedure, training materials, or quality control protocols.

Experience using Versa Regulatory Database system.

Additional Information:

1. Applicants who fail to follow the written instructions in completing the State of Texas Employment Application may be disqualified. 

2. PLEASE NOTE: Your application must be complete. It MUST contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer, name of supervisor, current/final salary, specific reason for leaving, and a summary of experience that demonstrates you meet the initial selection criteria at minimum. Missing information may lead to disqualification.

3. RESUMES DO NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF THE REQUIREMENT TO INCLUDE THIS INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION (“See Resume” is not acceptable on the application). Resumes attached and/or pasted into the resume field may not be considered equivalent to the State Application. Information on application must clearly state how applicant meets initial selection criteria in the summary of experience section of the application.

4. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work extended hours.

5. Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

6. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual Chapter 7. Internal applicants are encouraged to check the HR manual for any potential changes to their current salary.

7. Consideration will also 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