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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Functional Title: Sanitarian I 
Job Title: Sanitarian I 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Region 1 
Posting Number: 10039 
Closing Date: 11/21/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-18 
Salary Range: $3,793.41 - $4,857.33 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 90% 
Regular/Temporary: Temporary 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: LUBBOCK 
Job Location Address: 6302 IOLA AVE 
Other Locations: Amarillo 
MOS Codes: 8056,43HX,4E0X1,68S,740A,74A,74D,92W,MSSR,MST 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Performs moderately complex (journey-level) food service and environmental sanitation inspection work under the supervision of the Retail Food Safety Supervisor.  Conducts sanitation surveys of non-permitted food service facilities, including public school cafeterias.  Conducts inspections of permitted food service facilities, retail food stores, mobile food units and vendors at temporary events.  Performs environmental sanitation inspections for compliance with  regulations for youth camps. Conducts COVID-19 risk assessments at inspected establishments and provides educational materials to improve social distancing based on current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Conducts investigations in response to consumer complaints, food-borne disease outbreaks, and environmental health complaints involving recreational sanitation, institutional sanitation, field sanitation and public health nuisances. Provides technical assistance and consultative services to schools, retail food establishment owners, managers and operators, local health departments and to the general public.  Presents food sanitation programs and training courses to civic groups and regulatory officials on request.  Promotes practices that will help prevent and reduce exposure to environmental health hazards by initiating outreach to consumer groups, civic clubs, targeted industry, and governmental agencies.  Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Required to respond to public health emergencies and events.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Safe operation of either a state owned or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Must comply with DSHS Immunization policy.

(45%) Inspect permitted and non-permitted food service establishments, including retail food service establishments, retail food stores, mobile food establishments, public school cafeterias, and other required establishments and locations to ensure conformance with regulatory and accepted sanitary requirements. Conducts COVID-19 risk assessments and provides educational materials to improve social distancing based on current recommendations from the CDC. Prepare and submit all required electronic and any other necessary inspection and survey reports to the central office.

(20%) Performs environmental/community sanitation inspections for compliance with regulations for youth camps and other locations as identified. Perform inspections of playgrounds, public swimming pools and pool yard enclosures, and public lodging upon receipt of a complaint.  Evaluates the sanitation conditions at facilities, and recommends corrective steps. Conducts COVID-19 risk assessments and provides educational materials to improve social distancing based on current recommendations from the CDC. Prepare and submit all required electronic and any other necessary inspection and survey reports to central office.

(10%) Investigate consumer complaints concerning retail food service and food store facilities; assist with investigation of food-borne illness outbreaks and prepare related reports and evaluations; investigate complaints involving public health nuisances involving an imminent health risk, recreational sanitation, institutional sanitation, field sanitation, mass gatherings, and public lodging in areas not covered by a local health jurisdiction. Conducts COVID-19 risk assessments and provides educational materials to improve social distancing based on current recommendations from the CDC. May assist local health departments in food sanitation and environmental sanitation areas as requested.

(10%) Complete required numbers of inspection reports on a timely basis, including letters, forms, and communications, using appropriate inspection software package(s) and other software as necessary, and/or e-mail in a timely manner and in accordance with service level agreement and performance standards. Submit all inspection reports within agency protocols and on time. Prepare required weekly documents such as time and leave entry, travel claims, and weekly activity reports as directed by regional administration, following agency procedures and accepted formats.

(10%) Provide technical assistance and conduct presentations related to food programs, environmental practices, COVID-19, and social distancing in public facilities and related industries, to local health department personnel, concerned civic groups, and public officials as requested. Actively pursue business relationships with public officials by providing educational materials and contact information. Attend worker safety training, program staff training, and other professional training to maintain and increase expertise.

(5%) Perform related duties as assigned including but 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 (COOP) activation. Responds specifically to COVID-19 related duties and/or activation as assigned. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of: principles and practices of public health, and the structure and functions of public health organizations; state and federal laws and regulations as they pertain to food service sanitation, environmental sanitation, and public health; environmental sanitation principles and practices to include all environmental health aspects within the Public Sanitation Program; the technical aspects of inspections for regulated entities; HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) principles and how they apply to food service establishments; Knowledge of computer operation including Microsoft Word, Windows applications, and electronic mail.

Skill in: effective verbal and written communications; interpreting and effectively administering food program regulations; working cooperatively with colleagues and other agencies; appraising environmental health situations and making appropriate decisions; sample and evidence collection; using swimming pool test kits, specifically DPD and pH meter.

Ability to: communicate technical information effectively at all levels; organize and express thoughts clearly and concisely; be tactful and decisive in enforcing regulations; meet deadlines; learn new software applications; prepare complex, detailed reports containing intelligent conclusions and/or recommendations; establish and maintain sound interpersonal relationships with staff members and the public; conduct food service, recreational sanitation, institutional sanitation, mass gatherings, and public health nuisance inspections and complaint investigations.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Possess a Professional Registered Sanitarian license (RS) State of Texas is preferred. This license is required to be considered for the Sanitarian I position. 

Initial Screening Criteria:

This position is being posted as Sanitarian I. If an applicant does not meet the requirements for the Sanitarian I classification, 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 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 acquires two (2) years of experience in the field of sanitation.

-OR- 

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.

Additional Information:

This is a career track position. The successful applicant must meet educational requirements and pass a Professional Sanitarian exam within six (6) months from the date of employment. The successful applicant must achieve Professional Registered Sanitarian status within 2 years from the date of employment. The salary for an Environmental Protection Specialist I is between $3,159.83 – $4844.17 per month, based on experience. This salary group will be maintained until the applicant meets the requirements and becomes a Professional Registered Sanitarian, at which time the position will be re-classified as a Sanitarian I with a corresponding salary of $4622.08 per month. Should an applicant currently possess Professional Sanitarian registration and be selected for the position, the applicant will be paid at the Sanitarian salary of $4622.08 per month.

PLEASE NOTE THE SALARY WILL START AT $4622.08/MONTH FOR A SANITARIAN I, UNLESS THE CANDIDATE IS INTERNAL, IN WHICH CASE AT LEAST 3.4% ABOVE THE CURRENT SALARY, OR THE MINIMUM OF THE NEW SALARY GROUP, WHICHEVER IS GREATER, WILL BE APPLIED FOR A PROMOTION WHEN THE CANDIDATE IS IN THE SAME SALARY GROUP, BUT DIFFERENT CLASS TITLE AND JOB CODE.

Phone interviews may be conducted prior to in-person/virtual oral interview. Valid driver’s license required. Travel requirements and possible working hours other than 8am-5pm are occasionally required and must be able to meet.

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