Sanitarian I
Sanitarian I performs moderately complex (journey-level) environmental sanitation inspection work under the general supervision of the Public Health Region 2/3 Environmental and Consumer Inspections Program Manager. Conducts 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:
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 Sanitation & Retail Food Safety Groups' 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. Compliance with DSHS Immunization Policy required: serologic evidence of immunity to, or documented evidence of vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, and annual vaccination against influenza and hepatitis B. (5%)
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
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.
Ability to work independently with very little supervision and organize work to efficiently use time and state resources
Ability to identify rodent filth and read labels with 1/32 inch type size during inspections .
Ability to write and verbally communicate clearly and concisely when making decisions and recommendations
Ability 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.
Ability to use a computer effectively.
Able to perform inspection of facilities requiring walking long distances, standing, bending, climbing, and other physical activities in all seasonal conditions.
Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions.
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.
Registration or Licensure Requirements:
Must possess a valid Class C Texas driver license, or equivalent license from another state.
Must meet educational requirements (30 hours of science) and pass the Texas Registered Sanitarian Examination within four (4) months from the initial date of employment. Registered Sanitarian status must be obtained within (2) years of the date of employment.
Preference for a candidate with current credential as a Professional Registered Sanitarian in Texas which is currently administered by Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR).
Initial Selection Criteria:
REQUIRED:
Graduation from an accredited college/university, or foreign education that has been determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evaluator of recognized standing. A Bachelor's degree in public health, food and nutrition, or a natural, basic, environmental, animal science or other science discipline with at least 30 semester hours in basic science or natural science or any combination.
Must be available to work hours other than M-F/8-5.
PREFERRED:
Registered Sanitarian currently credentialed by Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation.
Experience in food or drug inspection work.
Additional Information:
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.
May be classified as a mobile worker with no assigned office space.
This is a career track position. The position is being posted as Sanitarian I, which if understaffed, can be reclassified as an Environmental Protection Specialist I from this position’s established classification of Sanitarian I. This Environmental Protection Specialist I will also utilize a working title of Sanitarian-In-Training (SIT).
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation 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:
Environmental Protection Specialist/Sanitarian-In-Training: Graduation from a college or university of recognized standing with a B.S. or B.A. degree with at least 30 semester hours in basic science or natural science or any combination thereof. No experience or less than (2) years of experience in the field of sanitation. Successful passage of Texas Registered Sanitarian Examination (may submit proof of current certification by NEHA (National Environmental Health Association) as REHS/RS in lieu of exam). The salary for an Environmental Protection Specialist I from $3,159.83 – $4,844.17 per month, based on experience. This salary will be maintained until the applicant meets the requirements of a Professional Sanitarian. After meeting the Professional Sanitarian requirements, the position will be re-classified as a Sanitarian I with a corresponding salary of $4,622.00 per month.
OR
Registered Sanitarian – State of Texas: Graduation from a college or university of recognized standing with a B.S. or B.A. degree 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. Successful passage of Sanitarian Registration Examination (may submit proof of current certification by NEHA as REHS/RS in lieu of exam). An applicant currently possesses Professional Sanitarian registration and to be selected for the position, the applicant will be paid at the Sanitarian salary of $4622.00 per month.
If already a Professional Registered Sanitarian (RS), candidate must be credentialed as an RS by TDLR. To meet minimum qualifications an individual with a current REHS/RS credential from NEHA must still secure credentials with TDLR.
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 and must clearly state how applicant meets initial selection criteria in the summary of experience section of the application.
Applicant must be legally authorized to work in the US without sponsorship. HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
Safe operation of either a state-owned or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and 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.
In compliance with DSHS Immunization Policy, you must provide documented serologic evidence of immunity to, or documented evidence of vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, Hepatitis B, influenza and rabies.
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.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS 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.
Note: There may be no military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/
MOS Code:
67C, HM, 8056, 4E0X1
All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if they meet the qualifications for this position.
Note: Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include: Army – 68S, 74D, 74A, 92W, 740A. Marine Corps - 8056. Air Force - 4E0X1, & 43HX. Coast Guard – MST & MSSR. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category - Natural Resources (texas.gov)
HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS 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.
Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to Jobs at HHSC and DSHS