LTCR Life Safety Code Surveyor

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

Life Safety Code Surveyor – Starting Market Rate Salary $57,043.92

As part of a collaborative team of public servants, a Life Safety Code surveyor protects residents receiving long-term care in Texas by assessing facilities’ compliance with state and federal life safety code requirements. This position offers a competitive starting salary; excellent state benefits, including health insurance and retirement; and the opportunity to regularly travel to different facilities within a region and across the state – Please see the Additional Information section below for more detail on travel. This position will travel up to 80%. In this front-line field position, a Life Safety Code Surveyor is mobile and flexible and performs minimal work at an office, though the role does require writing reports detailing any deficiencies/violations against a facility, remedies to correct those deficiencies, and narrative to support determinations. Must be professionally qualified as a Life Safety Code surveyor – see below for details. Examples of applicable experience can include skills such as construction or inspection work, fire protection, fire prevention, safety risk management, engineering, or architecture.  

The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments. We also offer excellent health benefits, a lifetime monthly retirement annuity as well as 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Surveys facilities for compliance with federal and state life safety laws, regulations, and interpretations, which entails extensive walking, crawling through attic spaces, and climbing ladders. 

Completes inspection/survey reports listing deficiencies and prepares professionally written reports using HHSC’s required principles of documentation supporting the actions and remedies recommended.  

Visits facilities to verify correction of previously cited regulatory violations. 

Conducts entrance and exit conferences with facility staff regarding findings. 

Provides facilities with professional knowledge of National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code requirements and applicable local, state, and federal standards to ensure compliance.   

Coordinates with agency staff conducting surveys of facilities for certification in the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs.  

Performs desk reviews and reviews plans of correction to ensure compliance.  

Answers questions from providers in person and over the phone.    

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Skill in operating a personal computer and office equipment.  
Skill in analyzing and evaluating complex issues of compliance relative to a variety of standards and regulations.  
Skilled in effective communication, including the ability to efficiently generate clear and concise reports to describe inspection results. 

Ability to apply state and federal rules and regulations to detailed inspections of long-term care facilities.  
Ability to regularly climb ladders and inspect attic spaces that may be hot or cramped.  
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others.  
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.   

Ability to exercise professional judgment and reach sound decisions. 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must successfully complete any required state and federal training and become qualified to conduct Life Safety Code surveys independently within the first 12 months.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience in inspection or construction work or another applicable field, such as fire service, fire protection, fire prevention, safety risk management, building maintenance, engineering, builders, drafters, electricians, or architecture, preferred. 

Experience with one or more construction trades preferred.  

Professional experience in design, review, inspection or building or closely related experience in applying local, state, or federal laws relating to safety from fire or other building codes, statutes, or regulations.

Additional Information:

Flexibility in work hours is required for this position. The job requires 80% travel, including statewide travel, overnight, and weekend travel. On-call duties for emergencies or high-priority situations in facilities or at providers may be required. Must have reliable transportation.

Note: This position is able to work a compressed workweek of four 10-hour days.

All applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check.

If you are offered and accept the position, you will not be permitted to continue employment at any HHSC regulated facilities or providers. You will be required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, secondary employment, volunteer activities, and friends/family who own, operate, or work at regulated providers.

If you are an active or former licensed nursing facility administrator, certified nurse aide, or medication aide, hiring will be pending until professional licensing and Employee Misconduct Registry checks are completed.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

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 to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.