Sanitarian

overview

date: jan 20, 2026

location: harlingen, 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.

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functional title: sanitarian

job title: sanitarian i

agency: dept of state health services

department: food & drug

posting number: 13055

closing date: 04/20/2026

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

telework: eligible for telework

travel: up to 70%

regular/temporary: regular

full time/part time: full time

flsa exempt/non-exempt: nonexempt

job location city: harlingen

job location address: 601 w sesame dr

other locations: mos codes: 8056,43hx,4e0x1,68s,740a,74a,74d,92w,mssr,mst

sanitarian i or environmental protection specialist i (understaffed sanitarian i) - most inspections will be conducted in the rio grande valley and surrounding areas. Under the supervision of the drugs and medical devices manager, works independently with full professional competence to perform highly technical, complex federal contract and non-contract inspections of wholesale prescription drug/device manufacturers and distributors; wholesale over the counter drug/device manufacturers and distributors;

salvage establishments and brokers; cosmetic manufacturers and distributors for which the division is responsible for compliance with the texas food, drug, and cosmetic act and the good manufacturing practices regulations. Investigate illegal activities involving drug/device manufacturers and distributors. Responds to complaints and disasters involving drug/device manufacturers and distributors; collects necessary samples; and prepares highly technical reports documenting inspectional findings. Use 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.

essential job functions

• attend work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• (65%) performs highly technical, complex federal contract and non-contract inspections of drug manufacturers, drug wholesalers, device/drug/cosmetic salvage establishments and brokers, device distributors, device manufacturers, and cosmetic manufacturers/distributors for which the division is responsible for compliance with the texas food, drug, and cosmetic act and the good manufacturing practices regulations. Uses assorted inspectional equipment. Supports objectionable conditions using such documentation as samples, photographs, filth exhibits, and written records.
  
  Completes detentions and destructions according to division policy. Completes and issues a written notice of observation for inspected facilities prior to completing the inspection. Prepares highly technical and detailed inspection reports for all establishment inspections. Utilizes word processing, databases and spreadsheet software and a laptop computer to complete inspection reports and submit the reports according to division policy for review and possible regulatory action.
• (10%) investigates complaints involving drug manufacturers, drug wholesalers, device/drug/cosmetic salvage establishments and brokers, device distributors, device manufacturers, and cosmetic manufacturers/distributors and prepares detailed reports of findings. Investigates disease outbreaks and documents findings. Conducts special investigations involving drug and medical device imports, disasters, special sampling assignments, and other special assignments as directed. Provides training to assigned drug manufacturers, drug wholesalers, device/drug/cosmetic salvage establishments and brokers, device distributors, device manufacturers, and cosmetic manufacturers/distributors investigators, including joint field inspections and review of inspection reports.
• (10%) provides information and assistance on drug and medical device 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…