Sanitarian III MFRPS

Department of State Health Services; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 54,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Dept of State Health Services in Austin, Texas, seeks a Sanitarian III to manage the Manufactured Foods Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS) coordination and the cooperative agreement with the FDA. You will oversee budgets, grants, and contract deliverables while ensuring program compliance.

Under minimal direction, you will train staff, prepare reports, and present findings to internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of manufactured and retail food safety principles and practices.
• Strong communication of technical information to diverse audiences.
• Experience with inspection processes and program standards.

Responsibilities

• Serve as MFRPS Coordinator managing the cooperative agreement with FDA.
• Prepare annual budget and administrative reports; oversee grants and contracts.
• Deliver trainings and presentations to internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Verbal & written communication

Instructing others

Inspection software

Field inspection equipment

Technical reports

Time management

Education

Professional Sanitarian registration (TX)

Job description

Posting ID22800-Posted10/28/2026-Dept of State Health Services-Food & Drug-Life, Physical, and Social Science-Not Eligible for Telework- Other Locations (1) - Additional Shifts available (1) -b. $3000 - $4999 per month

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 .

Functional Title: Sanitarian III MFRPS
Job Title: Sanitarian III
Agency: Dept of State Health Services
Department: Food & Drug
Posting Number: 22800
Closing Date: 11/11/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science
Salary Range: $4,801.42 - $7,761.50
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-22
Shift: Day
Additional Shift: Days (First)
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 40%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: AUSTIN
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM)
Other Locations: Austin
MOS Codes: 8056,43HX,4E0X1,68S,740A,74A,74D,92W,MSSR,MST

Brief Job Description:

Under the supervision of the Training and Standardization Operations Branch Manager, serves as the Manufactured Foods Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS) Coordinator, managing the Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the Branch. Ensures a comprehensive plan and organized approach to food outbreak response in accordance with the MFRPS; maintains grants and contracts from various federal and state entities, including oversight of administrative reports and budget preparation.

Assists the manager and works closely with staff. Prepares and delivers presentations to internal and external stakeholders. Works under minimal direction, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. May participate in overnight travel and be on call or available to respond to emergencies as needed.

(35%) Ensures reporting requirements for the MFRPS cooperative agreement are met. Prepares the cooperative agreement annual budget and administrative reports, and completes all required cooperative agreement deliverables. Develops the protocols, procedures, and corrective action plans to meet MFRPS and maintain documentation of the Standards. Maintains familiarity and provides training on the National Voluntary Retail Foods Regulatory Program and the Manufactured Foods Regulatory Standards.

(30%) Works with process improvement teams assigned to the standards. Routinely monitors program conformance with the MFRPS and recommends changes to the program to maintain conformance based on new technologies and best practices. Coordinates with the Rapid Response Team (RRT) to ensure Cooperative agreement projects, deliverables, and reporting elements are met.

(20%) Participates in national MFRPS-related meetings and workgroups. Develops protocols, procedures, exercises, and training elements necessary to meet the requirements of the cooperative agreement. Conducts in-depth research into other state and federal agency rules, policies, and procedures, and consults with those agencies on establishing and, to the extent possible, creating uniform national practices.

(10%)Assists the manager in ensuring the Branch follows standards set forth by the Food and Drug Section, Manufactured & Retail Food Unit. Participates in planning and implementing goals for the Branch. Works closely with staff to complete complex inspections and meet training needs. Assists with report review and preparing compliance cases for other programs in the Food and Drug Section, as directed.

(5%)Other duties 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 a change of locations. Assists other staff in performing work of greater complexity.

Knowledge of:

• principles and practices of manufactured and retail food safety;
• the statutes and rules that pertain to Manufactured Food and Retail Food Safety;
• technical inspection aspects of various types of food manufacturing and retail food establishments; and
• training and development procedures and techniques.

Skill in:

• effective and professional verbal and written communication;
• instructing others;
• the use of computer and applicable inspection software;
• the use of field inspection equipment used to conduct inspections;
• writing detailed technical reports and word processing; and
• problem solving, decision making, and time management.

Ability to:

• effectively communicate technical information at various levels of understanding;
• interact with professionals at all levels of government and industry;
• travel (in-state and out-of-state), as necessary, to attend technical training courses, perform inspections, and conduct training and evaluation of inspection field staff;
• assess training needs and formulate objectives;
• work outside normal business hours to accommodate workload; and
• be available for emergency response.

• Possess a valid Texas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state.

• Must be registered as a professional sanitarian by the State of Texas.

• At least three (3) years of combined experience conducting manufactured foods, retail foods, youth camp, or public sanitation inspection.

• Experience in training work, manufactured foods inspection work, retail inspection work, and environmental inspection work.

1. PLEASE NOTE: Your application must demonstrate how you meet the initial selection criteria.

2. This position may require overtime, extended hours, and/or hours outside of the normal 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday schedule.

3. Consideration will be given to known past job performance, if applicable, and prior work history.

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 https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/ .

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 [e-mail] .

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