License & Permit Specialist II

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: License & Permit Specialist II 
Job Title: License and Permit Spec II 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Food & Drug 
Posting Number: 11523 
Closing Date: 01/01/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Office and Administrative Support 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-16 
Salary Range: $3,409.83 - $4,252.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 5% 
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:  
MOS Codes: 0100,0111,0170,3F5X1,PERS,SN,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Performs complex (journey-level) licensing and registration work. Work involves receiving and reviewing license, permit, certificate, and registration applications; reviewing for completeness and compliance with statute and rules; communicating with external and internal customers; and approving licenses, permits, certificates, and registrations. Interpreting and explaining licensing, permitting, certification, and registration processes, statutes, and rules to applicants, other DSHS staff, other government agencies, and the public. Will assist branch trainer to train new employees on processing applications. Works under general supervision of the Foods Licensing Branch Manager, with general latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

INFORMATION RELEVANT TO ALL ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Work involved will be for the following programs, statutes, and rules: Consumable Hemp Products, Foods, Certificate of Freesale and Sanitation, Milk and Dairy, and Salvage; Texas Health and Safety Code Chapters 431, 432, 435, 440, 443; and Title 25 of the Texas Administrative Code Chapters 217, 229, and 300.

EJF 1. (45%) Receives, reviews, and process all types of applications for all programs covered by Foods Licensing Branch for completeness and appropriateness based on applicable statutes and rules. After determining jurisdiction and eligibility approves, rejects, denies, or moves to deny applicants for a license, permit, certificate, registration or inspection. Refers applicants to appropriate section or agency if not under DSHS, Consumer Protection Division jurisdiction. Interprets rules, regulations, policies and procedures, and inspection results to determine appropriate license, permit, certificate, or registration required. Makes license eligibility determinations by reviewing applications and inspectional reports for compliance with applicable public health laws and/or ordinances. Interprets crime records reports that list the nature and classification of criminal arrest and court outcomes to determine eligibility before issuing a license. Ensures payments are processed and allocated to the appropriate applications. Determines which statutes and rules establishments are subject to licensure and/or subject to other restrictions under applicable laws, rules, and policies. Communicates with applicants, regulated industry, the public and governmental agencies via written and/or verbal communications concerning the requirements of regulated establishments and determines which laws and rules apply. Maintains the Regulatory Automated System database of establishments to ensure that accurate records are maintained for each location. Notifies noncompliant establishments of the state laws and regulations regarding regulated establishments. conducts research via the internet to determine status of non-compliant firms with State Comptroller’s office. Maintains accounting and automated data processing records of all regulated establishment license holders and license fees. Research internet to determine taxpayer identification information required for remittance refunds. Maintains files in accordance with approved DSHS file management plan and retention schedules.

EJF 2. (20%) Maintains contact with Inspections, Operations, and Compliance Branches and provides information on regulated establishments, applicable laws, regulations, and department policies and procedures including inspection and compliance procedures. Interprets and explains laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures to applicants, regulated industry, the public, other sections and branches within DSHS, and governmental agencies via written and/or verbal communications concerning requirements of regulated establishments and all other inquires including open records requests. Prepares and sends license information and application packages to applicants and businesses via email, fax, or mail.

EJF 3. (15%) Serves as back up to all staff within the branch as needed to ensure continuation of operations within regulatory time frames. Back up duties include and are not limited to: preparing enforcement cases to present to the Compliance Review Committee, reviewing scanned documents for quality assurance and quality control to ensure they are saved corrected before hard copies are destroyed, preparing deficiency letters, processing certificate of Freesale and Sanitation applications and certificates, receiving, evaluating, and filling or referring open records requests.

EJF 4. (05%) Utilize the department’s database to generate reports about number of licenses issued. Maintains paper and electronic records in accordance with agency records retention policies. Assists other personnel on an as needed basis for mass mail-outs of renewal notices and delinquency notices, processing responses to deficiency letters, and file maintenance.

EJF 5. (05%) Assists Unit Manager or trainer to update training materials and unit policies, procedures, and SOPs to incorporate any law, rule, regulation, or policy changes.

EJF 6. (05%) Performs other duties as assigned including but not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

EJF 7. (05%) Acts as backup to the unit Administrative Assistant I, Receptionist, on a scheduled and as needed basis. Backup duties include and are not limited to answering a multi-line phone, processing incoming and outgoing mail, printing of licenses and permits, and scanning documents to records in RAS or the SharePoint site.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of application processes

Knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe,

Skill using an automated phone system

Skill using a scanner

Skill working with the Regulatory Automation System or any other database

Skill in customer service or administrative work.

Ability to deal with other government agencies, industry, agency staff, and public in a pleasant and effective manner

Ability to interpret and apply the following statutes, and rules: Texas Health & Safety Code 431, 432, 435, 440, 443; 25 TAC Chapters 217,229, and 300

Ability to handle several assignments at one time

Ability to understand and identify a problem or difficult situation; analyze all information; identify possible solutions; and select a solution

Ability to work as a team member

Ability to work independently with a high degree of accuracy and exercise sound judgment

Ability to adhere to policies and procedures including those pertaining to confidential information

Ability to schedule leave appropriately taking workloads into consideration

Ability to communicate verbally, in stressful situations

Ability to communicate in writing

Ability to provide excellent customer service

Ability to manage high volume of workload

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience working with the Regulatory Automation System or any other database

Experience working with applications

Experience working with Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe

Experience using an automated phone system

Experience using a scanner

Preferred: Graduation from a two-year college or equivalent.

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

Preferred: At least 4 years working with RAS or another database

Additional Information:

N/A

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