Environmental Hazards Branch Inspector

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.

Functional Title: Environmental Hazards Branch Inspector 
Job Title: Environmental Protect Spcl IV 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Environmental 
Posting Number: 18444 
Closing Date: 07/14/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Range: $4,801.16 - $7,761.50 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-22 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 45% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: HOUSTON 
Job Location Address: 5425 POLK ST 
Other Locations: Houston 
MOS Codes: 8056,8831,180X,1S0X1,3E9X1,43EX,43HX,4B0X1,4E0X1,680X,92W,AG,MSSR,MST,OAP14,OAR15 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Environmental Protection Specialist IV, plans and conducts complex, advanced, and highly technical environmental inspections; including AHERA (asbestos in schools inspections), Hazard Communication, Environmental Lead Abatement, and Asbestos in New Construction inspections, to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal regulations. Conducts highly complex complaint investigations relating to asbestos in schools, environmental lead abatement, hazard communication, and asbestos in new construction. Reviews and evaluates inspection/survey reports, asbestos management plans, asbestos abatement specifications, environmental lead abatement inspection/assessment reports, remediation plans and occupant protection plans, and protocols. Evaluates the environmental impact of activities and identify health and safety hazards and other issues that can affect the health of the environment or population. Provides training to new inspectors and mentors them on how to conduct inspections in accordance with state and federal regulations. Provides very high-level technical assistance to the general public, stakeholders, and the regulated community on public health laws and regulations. Serves as a team lead during complex inspections and investigations. Assists inspectors with training and technical questions when inspectors are conducting inspections at various sites. Serves as a technical expert and responds to legislative enquiries, questions, and concerns from the media and the public regarding federal and state environmental rules and regulations. Attends and testifies at administrative hearings as an expert witness when necessary. Works under minimal supervision and guidance from the immediate supervisor with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. Serves in a supporting role to meet agency’s obligation for disaster response and/or recovery or continuity of operations activities.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

(35%) Independently plans and performs compliance inspections relating to Hazard Communication (HazCom), AHERA (Asbestos in Schools), Environmental Lead Abatement and Asbestos in New Construction inspections. The inspections include reviewing highly advanced and complex documents including asbestos management plans, environmental lead abatement protocols and remediation work plans. Conducts a physical inspection of the work site. Independently prepares highly advanced, and complex technical and scientific inspection reports on web-based software for all routine and discretionary inspections following agency guidelines, policies, and procedures.

(15%) Conducts highly complex investigation resulting from complaints received from stakeholders, licensed entities, the regulated community and the general public. Serves as a team lead during complaint investigations. The investigations includes reviewing highly advanced and complex documentation.

(10%) Provides guidance and interpretation on federal and state environmental and public health laws, rules and regulations. Responds to and provides technical assistance to the regulated community and the public concerning requirements of the hazard communication rules, AHERA regulations, environmental lead rules, and the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Rules (TAHPR). Reviews highly technical documents submitted to the department by the regulated community.

(10%) Reviews inspection reports submitted by other inspectors. Writes compliance inspection reports after the completion of an inspection and/or complaint investigation. Compiles reports for manager, prepares monthly reports and inspection records and travel reimbursement documents.

(10%) Plans and coordinates highly advanced, and complex on-the-job training for new inspectors in accordance with state and federal regulations. Assists inspectors with training and technical questions when inspectors are conducting inspections at various sites.

(10%) Serves as a technical expert and responds to legislative enquiries, questions and concerns from the media and the public, regarding federal and state environmental rules and regulations. Prepares and gives presentations about environmental or public health programs and issues. Represents the department at administrative hearings and serves as an expert witness on an as needed basis.

(5%) Prepares weekly and monthly activity reports and submits reports to the Environmental Hazards Branch administrative assistant for entry in the LBB spreadsheet/database. Prepares travel requests and travel authorization documents, travel reimbursement requests and other tasks as assigned by the supervisor. Maintains inspection field equipment and personal protective equipment.

(5%) Other duties as assigned including but not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligation for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of state and federal environmental laws, rules and regulations including the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Rules (TAHPR), Federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), the Texas Lead-Based Paint Abatement Act, Texas Environmental Lead Reduction Rules, the Texas Hazard Communication Act and Rules. Knowledge of regulatory and legislative processes.

Skill in preforming highly complex compliance inspections, documenting evidence, collecting samples and writing inspection reports. Skill in conducting complaint investigations. Skill in reviewing and overseeing the work of others. Skill in technical writing, reviewing and editing complex technical documents including inspection reports and surveys. Skill in communicating the requirements of government regulations to the public. Skill in public speaking. Skill in the use of various computer software programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Versa Regulatory Systems.

Ability to conduct field inspections, including records review and physical inspection of buildings. Ability to establish priorities and workloads in an effective manner to meet performance goal deadlines. Ability to establish and maintain effective work and interpersonal relationships. Ability to analyze problems and develop solutions. Ability to communicate and interact effectively with other state and federal agencies.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

 N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Education: Prefer degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in environmental or natural sciences, environmental engineering, public health or a related field.

Experience: A minimum of one year of work experience conducting compliance inspections, complaint investigations, or surveys, and interpreting or explaining, and enforcing laws or regulations.

Experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year for year basis.

Additional Information:

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 the midpoint of the range, depending on qualifications or other factors unless the selected applicant is internal in which case a 7% increase may be applied for a promotion or a 3.4% increase may be applied when the selected applicant is in the same salary group but different class title and job code. Inspections may require irregular working hours, overnight travel, and working hours other than Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Frequent daytime travel will be required to perform inspection duties. Must provide transportation with a personal vehicle that is licensed, inspected and insured in accordance with Texas traffic laws. While operating a personal, rental or state motor vehicle in the performance of their duties, the employee must possess a current valid Texas driver’s license for the type of vehicle being operated. Applicants should provide descriptions in the Employment History section of the application form that indicate their experience in interpreting, explaining and/or enforcing laws or regulations; experience conducting inspections and investigations; and experience developing inspection/investigation reports. This is a mobile work position headquartered in Houston. Successful applicant will be required to visit their reginal state office location occasionally to complete other administrative tasks. Applicants selected for interview may be asked to perform a job simulation exercise. Only applicants who are interviewed will receive written notification of selection results. Applicants who fail to follow the written instructions in completing the State of Texas Employment Application will be disqualified. Your application must be complete and contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer, name of supervisor and phone number, current/final salary, and a description of duties performed in a way that specifically demonstrates you meet the initial selection criteria at a 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. Resumes attached and/or pasted into the resume field may not be considered equivalent to the State Application.

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