Job Description

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: Environmental Health Specialist
Job Title: Sanitarian I
Agency: Dept of State Health Services
Department: Region 6/5
Posting Number: 2287
Closing Date: 07/17/2025
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-17
Salary Range: $3,581.33 - $5,372.41
Shift: Day
Additional Shift:
Telework: Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 80%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: HOUSTON
Job Location Address: 5425 POLK ST
Other Locations:
MOS Codes:
8056,43HX,4E0X1,68S,740A,74A,74D,92W,MSSR,MST
Job Description:
Under the supervision and technical review of the Sanitarian III, Environmental Health Program Manager. Performs advanced food service and environmental sanitation inspections in Region 6/5S jurisdiction. Conducts inspections of public school cafeterias, permitted and non-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, including swimming pool, public interactive water feature, playground, food facility, and private water supply inspections. Conducts activities utilizing the FDA Food Code, Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) and other applicable Texas Health and Safety Codes and regulations. Conducts investigations in response to consumer complaints, foodborne illness outbreaks, and environmental health complaints involving recreational sanitation, institutional sanitation, field sanitation, and public health nuisances. Evaluates findings, documents facility compliance, and makes recommendations for compliance using
rules and regulations. Works with supervisor to provide technical assistance and consultative services to schools, retail food establishment owners, managers and operators, local health departments and to the general public. Required to respond to public health emergencies and events. Required to use software during inspections, meet minimum workload measures, and
conduct investigations and submit reports in a timely manner. Position works under supervision with latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. Sanitarian I or Environmental Protection Specialist I (understaffed).
Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency policy and performs other duties as assigned.
(70%) Inspects permitted and non-permitted establishments, including public school cafeterias, to ensure conformance with regulatory requirements. Inspects retail food service establishments, retail food stores, mobile food establishments and other food establishments to ensure conformance with regulatory and accepted sanitary requirements. Performs
environmental sanitation inspections for compliance with regulations for youth camps, mass gatherings, and field sanitation. Evaluates the sanitation conditions at facilities and recommends corrective steps. Prepares and submits inspection and survey reports to Retail Food and Public Sanitation Quality Assurance. Documents findings using assigned inspection software, including taking digital photos in accordance with agency protocols. Prepares and submits inspection and survey reports to the Consumer Protection Division using electronic inspection software. Meets monthly inspection expectations and processes all reports in a timely manner. Jurisdiction includes 16 counties in Region 6/5S, primarily in Austin, Colorado, Liberty, Waller, Walker and Wharton counties.
(10%) Investigates consumer complaints concerning retail food service and food store facilities; investigates foodborne illness outbreaks and prepares related reports and evaluations; and complaints involving public health nuisances, recreational sanitation, institutional sanitation, field sanitation, mass gatherings, and public lodging in areas not covered by a local health department. May provide technical assistance to local health departments in food sanitation and environmental sanitation areas as requested. Documents
complaint investigations and other field investigations in accordance with protocols.
(10%) Completes required number of inspection reports on a timely basis, including pictures, letters, forms, and communications, using agency database software, Microsoft Office, Window Applications, and/or e-mail in a timely manner and in accordance with performance standards. Submits all inspections reports within agency protocols and on time. Prepares
enforcement documents for compliance proceedings as needed. Prepares required monthly documents such as time and leave records, travel vouchers, and monthly activity reports, following agency procedures and accepted formats. Primarily assigned to a geographic area and responsible for timely risk-based retail, youth camps and general sanitation inspections
and complaints within the assigned area.
(5%) Works with supervisor to provide technical assistance and conducts presentations related to food programs, (food handlers, food establishment managers), as well as environmental practices in public facilities and related industries, local health department personnel, concerned civic groups and public officials as requested. Attends worker safety training, program staff training, and other professional training to maintain and increase expertise.
(5%) Other duties as assigned include but are 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. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle 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 and Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
If not already a Registered Sanitarian in Texas, must meet educational requirements (30 hours of science) and pass the Texas Registered Sanitarian Examination within six (6) months from the initial date of employment. Must apply to become a Sanitarian-In-Training status upon hire. Registered Sanitarian status must be obtained within (2) years of the date of employment.
Possess a valid Texas driver's license, or equivalent license from another state.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of State and Federal statutes/regulations regarding food safety and environmental sanitation.
Knowledge of inspection techniques used for retail food establishments and types of equipment used in those establishments.
Knowledge of food safety systems such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles and how they apply to retail food establishments.
Skill in the use of computer tablets, laptops, mobile printers, Microsoft Office, databases and web-based browsers to document inspections.
Skill in the use photographic equipment, laboratory and field testing equipment to conduct health and safety inspections.
Skill in verbal communications to work effectively with diverse groups of people.
Skill in meeting critical deadlines.
Skill in tracking multiple program activities and compliance activities at different stages of
development.
Ability to prepare concise technical reports to accurately document inspection findings.
Ability to recognize, assimilate and correlate scientific data with documented field conditions to determine public health risks.
Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with the regulated industry, general public, coworkers,
and managers.
Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work to meet deadlines.
Ability to climb, bend and/or stand for extended periods of time during
investigations/inspections.
Ability to obtain environmental samples.
Ability to read and interpret food labels with small print during inspections and investigations.
Ability to move up to 50 lbs.
Ability to travel.
Initial Screening 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 that meets the Sanitarian educational criteria at

PREFERRED:
Registered Sanitarian in Texas
Experience in food safety inspection work
Additional Information:
Posting ID# 2287
This posting is for one position. The Position Number is 75610.
Must be available to work hours other than M-F/8-5. Will be activated in response to public health emergencies which may require other duty locations and different work hours.
Daily travel (70%) with office work time in compliance with agency policies and supervisory direction.
The position requires a valid driver's license to be verified with law enforcement to ensure compliance with HHS's driving policy. Required to provide own transportation, DSHS reimburses mileage.
Must meet agency policies, including immunization policies.
Your application must be complete. It MUST contain dates of employment, job titles, name and phone number of employer, name of supervisor, current/final salary, and a description of duties performed in a way that specifically demonstrates you meet the initial selection criteria at minimum. Missing information may lead to disqualification. RESUMES DO NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF THE REQUIREMENT TO INCLUDE INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION NOR FOR SUPPLEMENTAL CONSIDERATION IN MEETING INITIAL CRITERIA ("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.
This is a career track position. The position is being posted as Sanitarian I, which is understaffed, and 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.
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 bachelor's 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. The salary for an Environmental Protection Specialist I is from $3159.83 - $4844.17 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 $3,581.33-5,372.41 per month.
OR
Registered Sanitarian - State of Texas: Graduation from a college or university of recognized standing with a bachelor's degree with at least 30 semester hours in basic science or natural science or any combination and two (2) years of experience in the field of sanitation. Successful passage of Sanitarian Registration Examination. An applicant currently possesses Professional Sanitarian registration and be selected for the position, the applicant will be paid at the Sanitarian salary of $3,581.33-5,372.41 per month.
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

/> 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

Job Tags

Remote job, Full time, Temporary work, Part time, Work experience placement, Local area, Shift work,

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