Compliance Specialist

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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: Compliance Specialist 
Job Title: Program Specialist IV 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Office of Compliance 
Posting Number: 16615 
Closing Date: 06/05/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Range: $4,263.16 - $6,779.25 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-20 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 20% 
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: Austin 
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description: 

Under the direction of the Compliance Section Consumer Safety Branch Manager, the Program Specialist IV (Compliance Specialist) performs highly complex (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work for the Foods, Drugs, and Medical Devices Programs, which consists of Food Wholesaler, Manufacturer, Warehouse Operation, Food Stores, Mobile Units, Roadside Vendors, Schools, Child Cares, School and Foods Inspections, Certified Food Managers and Food Handlers, Meat Safety, Milk, Dairy Producer, Frozen Dessert Manufacturer, Milk Processing Plant, Milk Tank Trucks, Retail Raw and Transfer and Receiving Station, Certificate of Authority, Seafood, Shellfish and crabmeat processing, Device Distributor/ Manufacturer, Drug Distributor-Nonprescription, Drug Manufacturer ‘Nonprescription, Drug Distributor-Prescription, Drug Manufacturer-Prescription, Drug and Device Salvage, Tattoo, Body Piercing, and Tanning facilities, Prescription Drug Pricing and Hemp. Facilitates and coordinate escalated cases in accordance with the laws, regulations and policies pertinent to each program. Consults with licensees, Department staff, attorneys, managers, and outside regulatory authorities, as necessary, on matters relating to compliance/enforcement. Operates Department database to accomplish data entry, reporting, case tracking, trending of data, and quality control. Facilitates meetings with Department staff, managers, attorneys, licensees, or other members of the regulated community. Provides technical assistance on matters related to compliance/enforcement. Trains others on enforcement procedures. Testifies in hearings at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) and in district court. Post final enforcement actions to Department website and other affiliated regulatory websites. Serves as assigned in the Department's Disaster Response/Recovery and Support Operations in training exercises, drills, and declared emergencies. Maintains acceptable driving record in accordance with agency policy. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.  

Essential Job Functions (EJFs): 

Facilitates and process escalated cases according to Section policy. Responsible for posting final enforcement actions to Department website and other affiliated regulatory websites. Reviews investigative reports and escalated cases from the Food, Drug, and Medical Devices Programs to examine deficiencies and the underlying evidence in the report. Interprets and applies appropriate law and rule and determines if disciplinary action(s) should be assessed or if additional  information is needed. Maintain history of penalty assessments and case resolution decisions to keep program consistent. Writes Notices of Violation (NOV), in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). Drafts orders (agreed, default, etc.) that memorialize the details of escalated case resolution such as facts, violations, and terms of settlement. Drafts other documents such as memoranda, reports, presentations, letters, and emails. Applies good case management techniques to handle large caseloads efficiently. Manages multiple assignments with competing priorities. Works independently or in a team environment to complete assignments.(35%)

Consults with licensees, Department staff, attorneys, managers, and outside regulatory authorities, as necessary, on compliance/ enforcement matters. Responds to routine rule inquiries by phone, email, or face to face meeting. Elevates unresolvable impasse to upper management where necessary. Works cooperatively with program staff and managers to acquire necessary information for processing compliance/enforcement escalated cases. May participate in independent board meetings.(20%)

Uses Department database for data entry, running reports, case tracking, trending of data, updates, and quality control. Performs quality assurance on compliance/enforcement cases as directed and assists in the processing of Open Records Requests (ORR).(15%)

Facilitates meetings with Department staff, managers, attorneys, licensees, and others. Facilitates the Compliance Review Committee (CRC) where escalated cases are reviewed, and consensus decisions are reached on the legal sufficiency of cases and the appropriate sanctions or penalties to propose. Organizes, schedules, and conducts informal conferences (IC) with the respondent and their attorney, with attendance by program staff, the program attorney, and Department managers to seek consensus agreement for resolving the cases informally, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Arranges for formal hearings at SOAH when cases cannot be resolved informally.(15%)

 
Provides technical assistance on compliance/enforcement matters. Responds to inquiries from various sources. Collects, organizes, and prepares materials in response to requests for information. Participates in staff meetings and presents regulatory information as needed. Trains others on enforcement procedures and processes. Works on special projects and assignments e.g., help develop plans to improve operations or to address areas of concern. Testify in hearings at SOAH and in district court as the Department’s expert witness when requested by the assigned attorney or when ordered by the court. Works with the Department’s attorney to clarify all aspects of a contested case to prepare for hearings. (15%)

Knowledge Skills Abilities:    

Knowledge of the APA and its relevance to the compliance/enforcement process.

Knowledge of the laws and regulations applicable to the Food and Drug programs.

Knowledge of state government processes and the Department’s organization.

Knowledge of quality assurance procedures. Skill in handling multiple assignments and prioritizing.

Skill in preparing and reviewing written correspondence and reports.

Skill in written and verbal communication.

Proficient in the use of Microsoft office suites: Word, Excel, Outlook, and other computer applications and databases.

Skill in conflict resolution or facilitation.

Skill in conducting meetings.

Ability to work effectively in a team and also independently with minimal supervision.

Ability to manage time effectively and to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and making recommendations.

 Ability to interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Ability to read and analyze inspection reports and evidence and identify weak or unsupportable findings.

Ability to make formal presentations using presentation media to large audiences.

Ability to perform trending analyses and create reports that illustrate significant results.

Ability to bring a wide variety of opinions to an agreement through consensus building.

Ability to give clear and accurate testimony under oath.

Ability to present complex regulatory information effectively to a wide variety of audiences.  

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:    

None

Initial Screening Criteria:    

-Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. accredited college/university.

-5 years experience interpreting, and applying appropriate law and rule. 

-5 years experience developing compliance/enforcement cases; 

-5 years experience drafting lengthy reports or other documents on a regular basis;

-5 years experience reviewing and evaluating complex reports;

-5 years experience performing quality analysis on compliance inspections and/or investigations.  

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