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.

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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Brief Job Description:

Sanitarian I performs independently, moderately complex (journey-level) environmental sanitation inspection work under the general supervision of the Public Health Region 2/3 Environmental and Consumer Inspections Program Mana Conducts highly technical inspections and/or surveys of retail food establishments including retail food stores, food service firms, mobile food units, roadside vendors, temporary food service firms, bed & breakfast establishments, public schools, institutional care facilities for children/adults, youth camps, public swimming pools, public interactive water features & fountains, public health nuisances, and hotels and motels, utilizing the Policy and Standards Quality Assurance, (PSQA), Public Sanitation & Retail Food Safety Groups’ procedures and protocols. Sanitarian I also refers or investigates complaints received related to environmental and consumer health. Can serve as an expert for the Department in administrative penalty hearings and settlement conferences involving enforcement actions against retail food establishments. Conducts investigations food- borne illness outbreaks and natural disasters. Prepares and submits all reports in an accurate and timely fashion and provides data for work completed as directed to regional management. Provides technical assistance on food safety issues to retail food establishment operators, local health departments, trade associations, professional associations, and the general public. This position requires the ability to deal with difficult and unusual situations, which require good judgment and interpersonal skills. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions. Member of the Incident Command Structure in response to public health emergencies. Must comply with HHS, DSHS, Texas Department of Public Safety applicable policies/procedures/standards.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

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

EJF #1. Conducts technical science-based inspections, complaint or food borne illness investigations of retail food establishments, school cafeterias, bed & breakfast extended establishments, and non-profit food operations under state jurisdiction using HACCP principles (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) to ensure compliance with retail food statutes and regulations. Referral of complaints for food operations to proper jurisdiction for those outside of state retail food jurisdiction. Uses own initiative and independent judgment to prioritize work while conducting inspections and when possible, flex workweek to maximize the use of available time and travel resources. Utilizes laptop or tablet computer to complete inspection reports and submit the reports within 8 working days for review and possible regulatory action or per most current PSQA Public Health Sanitation Program & Retail Food Safety Unit and Region 2/3 management procedure. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions. (45%)
EJF #2. Performs routine, compliance & complaint youth camp facility inspections. Also investigate or refer to the proper jurisdiction complaints on public school district facilities, public swimming pools, public interactive water features & fountains, alleged public health nuisances, and public lodging. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions. (15%)

EJF #3. Completes travel reimbursement requests, weekly activity reports, CAPPS time sheets, CAPPS time certification and other Division, Regional and Department reports as required in the performance of official duties, accurately and submitted in a timely manner according to Division policies. Standardization and Re-Standardization at the appropriate time frame. (15%)

EJF #4 Investigates consumer complaints within state jurisdiction involving food products and prepares detailed reports of findings. Refers complaints received that are under local health department jurisdiction within 5 business days of receipt. Investigates food borne disease outbreaks, inspects food establishments after natural disasters and documents findings. Assists local health departments relating to these issues upon request. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions. (10%)

EJF #5. Provides information and technical assistance to retail food establishments, public officials, and the general public on food safety and general sanitation in the interpretation and enforcement of State food and general sanitation statutes and regulations. Assists local health departments relating to these areas in request. (5%)

EJF #6. Will attend worker safety training, program staff training, and other professional & required training to maintain and increase public sanitation and retail food expertise and maintain state employment. Performs related duties as assigned and may be called upon to respond to public health emergencies and events. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions. (5%)

EJF #7: Participates in regional assignments/duties/special initiatives. May be required to work other than normal business hours in order to respond to public health emergencies; actively participate and/or serve in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response / recovery / Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation- requires completion of at least ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800 and may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Maintain compliance with DSHS Policy, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and Standards, and a current valid Texas Driver's License. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to general sanitation, retail foods, and consumer health protection.
Knowledge of the technical aspects of the inspection of various types of schools, camps, swimming pools, hotel/motels, nuisance complaints, and various food service establishments and the equipment used in those establishments.
Knowledge of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) principles and how they apply to retail food establishments.

Skill to identify rodent filth and read labels with 1/32 inch type size during inspections.
Skill to write and verbally communicate clearly and concisely when making decisions and recommendations.
Skill to successfully execute food program and public sanitation activities and deliver all services fairly, uniformly and ethically; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff members, food establishments, local health officials and the general public; deal tactfully and effectively with complainants and exercise good judgment when making assessments and recommendations while evaluating health related situations.
Skill to use a computer for word processing, database applications, and spreadsheet software for submission of written correspondence, reports and presentations.

Ability to perform inspection of facilities requiring walking long distances, standing, bending, climbing, and other physical activities in all seasonal conditions.
Ability to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions.
Ability to work independently with little supervision and organize work to efficiently use time and state resources.

This position is on call for emergency or disaster response 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will be required to occasionally work at times outside normal duty hours, weekends, and holidays.

 Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Required: Texas Driver's license or driver's license from another state with the intent to obtain a Texas driver's license.
Required: Must hold a current registration as a Professional Registered Sanitarian in Texas which is currently administered by Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR).

Initial Screening Criteria:

Required: Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. accredited college or university or a foreign degree determined to be equivalent by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Required: Must be available to work hours other than M-F/8-5.
Required: Ability to travel independently 75% of the time to complete essential job functions.

Additional Information:

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

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application but may be provided as supplemental materials. All fields on the application must be filled-in completely. Applicants must provide information relevant to the required experience for this position in the job history sections of the application. Information on application must clearly state how applicant meets initial selection criteria in the summary of experience section of the application.

Prior to beginning employment, employees/applicants who indicate they hold a degree from an institution of higher education must provide an original college transcripts indicating they earned a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree from a U.S. college or university or foreign degree determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evaluator.

Employee must provide transportation. If an employee operates a personal or state motor vehicle in performance of their official duties, the employee must possess a current valid Texas Driver License for the appropriate type vehicle.

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