Sanitarian I

Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Travel up to 70%

Job summary

The Texas Department of State Health Services in Austin seeks a Sanitarian I to inspect hemp-related facilities, enforce health regulations, and prepare technical reports under COOP and travel as needed.

The role is full-time, nonexempt, with telework eligibility and day shift, plus up to 70% travel. Salary range $3,793.41–$5,921.25 per month; benefits available through ERS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with at least 30 semester hours in basic science or natural science.
• Two years of sanitation-related experience (Sanitarian I) or equivalent consideration for EPS I/SIT pathway.
• Must be available to work outside normal hours and on-call for emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Perform inspections and investigations of hemp-related facilities and registrants.
• Prepare technical inspection reports with photos, samples and exhibits.
• Investigate complaints and document findings; participate in trainings and presentations.

Skills

Microbiology

Biology

Biochemistry

Chemistry

Epidemiology

Statistics

Nutrition

Food toxicology

Education

Bachelor's degree in basic science

Tools

Word processing

Database software

Spreadsheet software

Job description

Date: Oct 20, 2026

Location: AUSTIN, TX

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: Sanitarian I

Job Title: Sanitarian I

Agency: Dept of State Health Services

Department: Food & Drug

Posting Number: 22533

Closing Date: 11/03/2026

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science

Salary Range: $3,793.41 - $5,921.25

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-18

Shift: Day

Additional Shift: Days (First)

Telework: Eligible for 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: Abilene; Alamo; Alice; Alpine; Alvin; Amarillo; Anahuac; Andrews; Angleton; Anson; Aransas Pass; Archer City; Arlington; Athens; Atlanta; Austin; Bacliff; Ballinger; Bandera; Bastrop; Bay City; Baytown; Beaumont; Bedford; Beeville; Bellville; Big Spring; Boerne; Bonham; Borger; Bowie; Brady; Breckenridge; Brenham; Brownfield; Brownsville; Brownwood; Bryan; Burnet; Caldwell; Cameron; Canton; Canutillo; Carlsbad; Carrizo Springs; Carrollton; Carthage; Center; Centerville; Childress; Clarksville; Cleburne; Cleveland; Coldspring; Columbus; Conroe; Copperas Cove; Corpus Christi; Corsicana; Crockett; Crosby; Crystal City; Cuero; Cypress; Daingerfield; Dallas; Decatur; Del Rio; Denton; Dickinson; Dumas; Duncanville; Eagle Pass; Eastland; Edinburg; El Paso; Elgin; Elsa; Ennis; Fabens; Falfurrias; Floresville; Fort Stockton; Fort Worth; Fredericksburg; Gainesville; Galveston; Garland; Gatesville; Georgetown; Giddings; Gilmer; Goliad; Gonzales; Graham; Granbury; Grand Prairie; Grapevine; Greenville; Hallettsville; Hamilton; Harlingen; Haskell; Hearne; Hemphill; Hempstead; Henderson; Hereford; Hillsboro; Hondo; Houston; Humble; Huntsville; Hurst; Irving; Jacksonville; Jasper; Johnson City; Jourdanton; Karnes City; Katy; Kaufman; Kerrville; Killeen; Kingsville; Kingwood; Kirbyville; La Grange; Lake Jackson; Lake Worth; Lamesa; Lampasas; Lancaster; Laredo; Levelland; Lewisville; Liberty; Linden; Littlefield; Livingston; Llano; Lockhart; Longview; Lubbock; Lufkin; Lumberton; Madisonville; Marble Falls; Marfa; Marlin; Marshall; Mcallen; Mckinney; Mercedes; Meridian; Mesquite; Mexia; Midland; Mineola; Mineral Wells; Mission; Monahans; Mount Pleasant; Mount Vernon; Nacogdoches; Navasota; New Boston; New Braunfels; Odessa; Orange; Palestine; Pampa; Paris; Pasadena; Pearland; Pearsall; Pecos; Perryton; Pharr; Pittsburg; Plainview; Plano; Pollok; Port Arthur; Port Lavaca; Presidio; Quitman; Raymondville; Refugio; Richardson; Richmond; Rio Grande City; Robstown; Rockwall; Rosenberg; Round Rock; Rowlett; Rusk; San Angelo; San Antonio; San Benito; San Juan; San Marcos; San Saba; Schertz; Seguin; Seminole; Seymour; Sherman; Silsbee; Sinton; Snyder; Socorro; Sonora; South Houston; Stephenville; Sugar Land; Sulphur Springs; Sweetwater; Taylor; Temple; Terrell; Texarkana; Texas City; The Woodlands; Tomball; Trinity; Tyler; Uvalde; Van Horn; Vernon; Victoria; Waco; Washington; Watauga; Waxahachie; Weatherford; Webster; Weslaco; Wharton; Wichita Falls; Woodville; Zapata

MOS Codes: 8056,43HX,4E0X1,68S,740A,74A,74D,92W,MSSR,MST

Brief Job Description

Sanitarian I or Environmental Protection Specialist (Sanitarian I in Training): Under the supervision of the Consumable Hemp Branch Manager, inspects consumable hemp manufacturers, consumable hemp wholesalers, retail hemp registrants, and many other types of firms for which the Unit is responsible, for compliance with the Texas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (TX Health and Safety Code Chapter 431) and Manufacture, Distribution, and Sale of Consumable Hemp Products Act (HSC 443). Investigates non-compliant activities involving consumable hemp manufacturers, consumable hemp wholesalers, and retail hemp registrants. Responds to complaints and disasters involving consumable hemp products; collects necessary samples, photos, exhibits and prepares highly technical written reports documenting inspectional findings. Uses initiative and independent judgment in performing duties. Employee actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations in response and/or recovery in Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. May participate in overnight travel and be on call or available to respond to emergency situations as needed.

Essential Job Functions

• Performs inspections and investigations involving consumable hemp manufacturers, consumable hemp wholesalers, and retail hemp registrants. Provides information and assistance on consumable hemp 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 observation for inspected facilities prior to completing the inspection. (45%)
• Prepares highly technical inspection reports that may include photos, samples, and other exhibits to document inspectional findings using word processing, database, and other computer software. (15%)
• Investigates complaints involving consumable hemp manufacturers, consumable hemp wholesalers, and retail hemp registrants and prepares detailed reports of findings. Investigates food-borne outbreaks and documents findings. Conducts special investigations and other special assignments as directed. Provides training, to include joint field inspections and review of inspection reports. (15%)
• Provides information and assistance on consumable hemp 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. Participates in available educational programs and training (training locations may be located out-of-state). (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. An acceptable driving record must be maintained. (5%)
• Participates in regulatory actions, to include presenting technical information regarding inspections and giving testimony during hearings and court trials; prepares special reports, summaries, and exhibits for use by counsel during hearings and trials. (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. Use of safety equipment is required. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of the theory and practical applications of disciplines to include microbiology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, epidemiology, statistics, thermodynamics, nutrition, and food toxicology.
• Knowledge and skill in selecting, adapting, and applying investigative methods and negotiating techniques to conduct complete and professional inspections.
• Knowledge of State and Federal food safety laws and regulations covering the various types of food industry, food processing, food labeling, distribution, including applicable parts of the Code of Federal Regulations, Texas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Manufacture, Distribution, and Sale of Consumable Hemp Products, Texas Administrative Code, and the Good Manufacturing Practices Regulations.
• Knowledge of the technical aspects of inspections of various types of food and drug manufacturing, distribution, and equipment utilized by these facilities and the equipment for conducting inspections.
• Skill in verbal and written communication, including writing detailed technical reports.
• Skill in word processing, database and spreadsheet software for submission of written correspondence, reports and presentations.
• Skill to make appropriate field decisions and to plan how the investigation should proceed to resolve difficult and sensitive situations.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
• Ability to provide own transportation for the purpose of conducting inspections, receiving training, responding to emergencies, and other job duties.
• Ability to 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).
• Ability to 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.
• Ability to travel as needed to satisfy program needs.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements Or Certifications

Must pass the Texas Registered Sanitarian Examination within six (6) months from the initial date of employment. 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.

Initial Screening Criteria

This position is being posted as a Sanitarian I, which is understaffed. understaffed. 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 fo 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 1)/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.

Must be available to work hours other than Monday-Friday from 8AM-5PM. Experience using a computer including word processing and database software.

Additional Information

Posting ID: 22533

This is a career track position.