Description

This position will remain open until filled, with applications reviewed on an ongoing basis. This job posting may be removed at any time without prior notice. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for full consideration.

DEFINITION:

Under general direction, examines and inspects retail food establishments, ensuring compliance with the Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) and City Ordinances, to protect the public against illnesses and potential health hazards. The Health Inspector may conduct unannounced inspections of establishments and investigate public sanitation complaints.  Duties include both primary and follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with sanitary codes as well as providing support to the Code Enforcement Division. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is a single-incumbent classification. Employee reports to the Senior Code Enforcement Officer.

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities
The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Investigate potential violations of municipal and state laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations relating to environmental issues.
• Participates in developing department goals, objectives, and systems by recommending new approaches, policies and procedures to effect continual improvements in efficiency of the department and services performed.
• Inspect establishments where foods are handled, stored, or sold to enforce legal standards of sanitation, purity, and grading.
• Visit specified establishments to investigate sanitary conditions and health and hygiene habits of persons handling consumer products.
• Relay establishment violations to the owner or manager and ensure they are corrected within an appropriate amount of time.  Respond to questions regarding documented violations. 
• Evaluate data pertaining to the inspection and maintain correspondence with the organization concerning permits and violations. Inform individuals concerned of specific regulations affecting establishments.
• Ascertain that required licenses and permits have been obtained and are displayed.
• Prepare inspection reports on each establishment visited, including findings and recommendations for action.
• Assist establishments to effect changes in facilities and practices, where undesirable conditions are discovered that are not specifically prohibited by law.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of environmental health.
• Research property ownership through City records, plat maps, deeds and other municipal records; inform property owner of code violation through correspondence; provide information relating to bringing property into compliance.
• Issue notices of violation and notices of abatement; conduct follow-up investigations to secure compliance with code and ordinance.
• Compile evidence and photographs for potential legal actions. Document and maintain records of code enforcement activities using the code enforcement software.  Prepare a variety of written reports, memos, and correspondence.
• Coordinate with volunteer groups to provide assistance in bringing properties into compliance.
• Coordinate with salvage yards and police for removal of abandoned/junk vehicles in accordance with local ordinances and the Traffic Safety Code.
• Respond and maintain a courteous manner when handling difficult and sensitive requests and when dealing with potentially hostile situations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 
Requirements
Any combination of related education, experience, certifications and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job may be considered. 

Education, Training and Experience:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• Health inspection and code enforcement experience preferred. 

Licenses and Certificates:

• A valid State driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.   
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within one year of employment a valid State of Texas Retail Foods Standardization Inspection / Training Officer Certification. 
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within two years of employment a valid State of Texas Code Enforcement License. 
• Possession of, or ability to obtain the voluntary compliance food safety Inspection Officer within 12 months.

Special Requirements:

• Position requires regular in-person attendance which may include occasional evenings and weekends.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities.
• Federal, State and local policies, laws, regulations and ordinances relating to food sanitation.
• Occupational hazards and applicable safety precautions.
• Methods and techniques of report preparation.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Operations, services and activities of the city.
• Geographical features and streets within the city.
• Principles and procedures of food establishment inspections.
• Local nuisance ordinances.
• Basic principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations. 

Ability to:

• Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Detect potential health and safety hazards upon visual inspection.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Operate and use modern office equipment including a computer.
• Follow all safety rules and regulations of the department.
• Operate a variety of vehicular and stationary mechanical equipment in a safe and effective manner.
• Interpret, explain, and enforce departmental policies and procedures.
• Interpret and explain city policies and procedures.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
Physical Demands 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists.
 
Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
 
Mental Demands 
While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied/abusive individuals.
 
Work Environment
The employee works in outdoor conditions, traveling from site to site.  Certain positions within the classification may require availability to work a flexible schedule.