Food Inspector Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

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.
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Functional Title: Inspector
Job Title: Sanitarian I
Agency: Dept of State Health Services
Department: Food & Drug
Posting Number: 13134
Closing Date: 07/24/2026
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.**
Sanitarian I or Environmental Protection Specialist I (understaffed Sanitarian I) - The majority of the inspections will be conducted in the Manufactured Foods Coastal area (Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Harris, and Galveston counties). Under the supervision of the Manufactured Foods Coastal Branch Manager, inspects 40+ types of food manufacturers including the following types of processors: low-acid canned foods, acidified food processors, pasteurized juice, aseptic foods, bottled water, seafood, dietary supplements, bottling plants (wine, beer, soft drinks), bakeries, re-packers, warehouses, salvage firms, and many other types of manufacturers for which the Unit is responsible for compliance with the Texas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Warehousing Practices regulations. Investigates illegal activities involving food manufacturers, warehouses, re-packers, etc. Responds to complaints, disasters, and truck wrecks involving food and drug 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 (EJFs):
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. Participates in available educational programs and training (training locations can 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, 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.
(5%) Other duties as assigned.
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; 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; and 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.; and in selecting, adapting, and applying investigative methods and negotiating techniques to conduct complete and professional inspections.
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:
Bachelor's 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:
Bachelor's 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.
Experience using a computer including word processing and database software is preferred.
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, 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 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