Inspector

DSHS Job Posting: Sanitarian I

Job Title: Sanitarian I Agency: Dept of State Health Services Department: Food & Drug Posting Number: 13134 Closing Date: 07/23/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science Salary Group: TEXAS-B-18 Salary Range: $3,793.41 - $5,921.25 Pay Frequency: Monthly Shift: Day Additional Shift: Days (First) Telework: Travel: Up to 70% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt Facility Location: Job Location City: AUSTIN Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM) Other Locations: Houston MOS Codes: 8056,43HX,4E0X1,68S,740A,74A,74D,92W,MSSR,MST

PLEASE NOTE: The posted salary range is the full range for this position. Agency salary policy, budget, and candidate's qualifications will dictate the final salary offer. Typically, salary offers are at or near the midpoint of the range, depending on qualifications or other factors.

Job Summary: 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:

• 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

Essential Job Functions:

• Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned
• Use of safety equipment is required
• (60%) Performs inspections and investigations involving food manufacturers, food wholesalers/warehouses, food salvage establishments, and brokers
• Provides information and assistance on food and drug-related subjects as requested by citizens, regulated industry, and other local, state, and federal agencies
• Completes detentions and destructions according to Division policy
• Completes and issues a written notice of inspectional observations for inspected facilities upon completion of the inspection
• Prepares highly technical inspection reports that may include photos, samples, and other exhibits to document inspection findings using word processing, database, and other computer software
• (10%) Investigates complaints involving food manufacturers, food wholesalers/warehouses, food salvage establishments, and brokers, and prepares detailed reports of findings
• Investigates foodborne outbreaks and document findings
• Conducts special investigations and other special assignments as directed
• Provides training including joint field inspections and review of inspection reports
• (10%) Provides information and assistance on manufactured food-related subjects as requested by citizens, regulated industry, and other local, state, and federal agencies
• Prepares technical presentations on applicable subject for Division training programs, as requested
• Participates in available educational programs and training presented by the Division, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Department, and additional outside training as directed
• (10%) Completes electronic travel reports, monthly activity reports, time sheets, and other Division and Department reports as required
• 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
• (5%) Participates in regulatory actions including presenting technical information regarding inspections; gives testimony during hearings and court trials; and prepares special reports, summaries, and exhibits for use by counsel during hearings and trials
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of: the theory and practical applications of disciplines to include microbiology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, epidemiology, statistics, thermodynamics, nutrition, and food toxicology
• Selecting, adapting, and applying investigative methods and negotiating techniques to conduct complete and professional inspections
• State and Federal food safety laws and regulations covering the various types of food operations, food processing, food labeling, distribution, including applicable parts of the Code of Federal Regulations, Texas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Texas Administrative Code, and the Good Manufacturing Practices Regulations
• Technical aspects of inspections of various types of food and drug manufacturing, distribution, and salvaging, and equipment utilized by these facilities and the equipment for conducting inspections
• Skills in: verbal and written communication, including writing detailed technical reports; word processing, database and spreadsheet software for submission of written correspondence, reports, and presentations; making appropriate field decisions and planning how the investigation should proceed to resolve difficult and sensitive situations
• Ability to: organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines; provide own transportation for the purpose of conducting inspections, attending training, responding to emergencies, and other job duties; perform inspectional work which may require: using ladders or catwalks to access equipment, lifting/carrying up to 50lbs, pulling/pushing up to 100lbs., standing for extended periods of time, identifying rodent and insect filth, and reading labels with 1/32 inch type size during inspections; occasionally work outside normal duty hours and adjust work week to accommodate workload, and to be available for emergency or disaster response (24 hours on call); and travel as needed to satisfy program needs

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

• Possess a valid Texas driver's license, or equivalent license from another state
• 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 posted as Sanitarian I
• If an applicant does not meet the requirements for the Sanitarian I classification, the position can be understaffed, and 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:
• Bachelors degree from a U.S. 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 I (EPS I)/Sanitarian-In-Training (SIT) requirements:
• Bachelors degree from a U.S. 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
• Must be available to work hours other than Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm and willing to travel up to 70% of time

Additional Information:

• PLEASE NOTE: Your application must be complete. It MUST contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer, name and phone number 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 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-$4,844.17 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 $4,872.08 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 $4,872.08 per month
• THE SALARY WILL START AT $4,872.08/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
• 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
• 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,