Texas Department of State Health Services
Sanitarian I – Texas Department of State Health Services
Join to apply for the
Sanitarian I
role at
Texas Department of State Health Services .
Posting Date: Dec 13, 2025 Location: HOUSTON, TX, 77023
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.
Job Details
Functional Title:
Sanitarian I
Job Title:
Sanitarian I
Agency:
Dept of State Health Services
Department:
Food & Drug
Posting Number:
9357
Closing Date:
03/18/2026
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
Travel:
Up to 70%
Regular/Temporary:
Regular
Full Time/Part Time:
Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt:
Nonexempt
Job Location City:
HOUSTON
Job Location Address:
5425 POLK ST
Other Locations:
Bryan
MO Scodes:
8056,43HX,4E0X1,68S,740A,74A,74D,92W,MSSR,MST
Essential Job Functions
(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, completes detentions and destructions, issues inspectional observations, and prepares highly technical inspection reports.
(10%) Investigates complaints involving food manufacturers, food wholesalers/warehouses, food salvage establishments, and brokers; prepares detailed reports of findings; investigates foodborne outbreaks; conducts special investigations and other assignments; provides training including joint field inspections and review of inspection reports.
(10%) Provides information and assistance on manufactured food-related subjects to citizens and agencies; prepares technical presentations; participates in educational programs and training.
(10%) Completes electronic travel reports, monthly activity reports, timesheets, and other Division and Department reports; maintains safe operation of state- or personal-owned vehicle.
(5%) Participates in regulatory actions, gives testimony during hearings and court trials, and prepares special reports, summaries, and exhibits for use by counsel during hearings and trials.
(5%) Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities (KSAs) Knowledge of microbiology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, epidemiology, statistics, thermodynamics, nutrition, and food toxicology; State and Federal food safety laws and regulations; and technical aspects of inspections of various types of food and drug manufacturing, distribution, and salvaging. Skills in verbal and written communication, including writing detailed technical reports; use of word processing, database, and spreadsheet software; making appropriate field decisions and planning investigations. Ability to organize and prioritize workload, provide own transportation, perform physical duties such as lifting up to 50 lbs and standing for extended periods; adjust work hours for emergencies and travel as needed.
Registrations, Licensure, and Certifications
Possess a valid Texas driver’s license, or equivalent license from another state.
Possess a Professional Registered Sanitarian license (RS); this license is required to be considered for the Sanitarian I position.
Initial Screening Criteria
Must be available to work hours other than Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm and willing to travel up 70% of the time.
Experience using a computer including word processing and database software.
To be considered as a Sanitarian I, the applicant holds a current Registered Sanitarian license with Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). If an applicant does not hold a current Registered Sanitarian License, this position can be understaffed as an Environmental Protection Specialist I with a bachelor’s degree and less than (2) years of experience in the field of sanitation.
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 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 required application information. Resumes attached 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. Salary is managed as specified in the posting.
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. For assistance completing the online application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1‑888‑894‑4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.
Salary & Pre‑Employment Checks
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.
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Sanitarian I
role at
Texas Department of State Health Services .
Posting Date: Dec 13, 2025 Location: HOUSTON, TX, 77023
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.
Job Details
Functional Title:
Sanitarian I
Job Title:
Sanitarian I
Agency:
Dept of State Health Services
Department:
Food & Drug
Posting Number:
9357
Closing Date:
03/18/2026
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
Travel:
Up to 70%
Regular/Temporary:
Regular
Full Time/Part Time:
Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt:
Nonexempt
Job Location City:
HOUSTON
Job Location Address:
5425 POLK ST
Other Locations:
Bryan
MO Scodes:
8056,43HX,4E0X1,68S,740A,74A,74D,92W,MSSR,MST
Essential Job Functions
(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, completes detentions and destructions, issues inspectional observations, and prepares highly technical inspection reports.
(10%) Investigates complaints involving food manufacturers, food wholesalers/warehouses, food salvage establishments, and brokers; prepares detailed reports of findings; investigates foodborne outbreaks; conducts special investigations and other assignments; provides training including joint field inspections and review of inspection reports.
(10%) Provides information and assistance on manufactured food-related subjects to citizens and agencies; prepares technical presentations; participates in educational programs and training.
(10%) Completes electronic travel reports, monthly activity reports, timesheets, and other Division and Department reports; maintains safe operation of state- or personal-owned vehicle.
(5%) Participates in regulatory actions, gives testimony during hearings and court trials, and prepares special reports, summaries, and exhibits for use by counsel during hearings and trials.
(5%) Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities (KSAs) Knowledge of microbiology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, epidemiology, statistics, thermodynamics, nutrition, and food toxicology; State and Federal food safety laws and regulations; and technical aspects of inspections of various types of food and drug manufacturing, distribution, and salvaging. Skills in verbal and written communication, including writing detailed technical reports; use of word processing, database, and spreadsheet software; making appropriate field decisions and planning investigations. Ability to organize and prioritize workload, provide own transportation, perform physical duties such as lifting up to 50 lbs and standing for extended periods; adjust work hours for emergencies and travel as needed.
Registrations, Licensure, and Certifications
Possess a valid Texas driver’s license, or equivalent license from another state.
Possess a Professional Registered Sanitarian license (RS); this license is required to be considered for the Sanitarian I position.
Initial Screening Criteria
Must be available to work hours other than Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm and willing to travel up 70% of the time.
Experience using a computer including word processing and database software.
To be considered as a Sanitarian I, the applicant holds a current Registered Sanitarian license with Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). If an applicant does not hold a current Registered Sanitarian License, this position can be understaffed as an Environmental Protection Specialist I with a bachelor’s degree and less than (2) years of experience in the field of sanitation.
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 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 required application information. Resumes attached 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. Salary is managed as specified in the posting.
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. For assistance completing the online application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1‑888‑894‑4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.
Salary & Pre‑Employment Checks
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr