Public Health Sanitation Program Specialist

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: Public Health Sanitation Program Specialist 
Job Title: Sanitarian III 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Environmental 
Posting Number: 16604 
Closing Date: 05/19/2026 
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:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 55% 
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: 8056,43HX,4E0X1,68S,740A,74A,74D,92W,MSSR,MST 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

**PLEASE NOTE: The posted salary range is the full range for this position. Agency salary policy, budget, and candidate’s qualifications will dictate final salary offer. Typically, salary offers are at or near the midpoint of the range, depending on qualifications or other factors.**

Performs advanced, senior level work for public health sanitation programs in the Environmental Hazards and Sanitation Operations Branch of the Environmental Section. Serves as the Public Health Sanitation Programs (PHSP) Specialist and is responsible for implementation and oversight of program staff regulatory activities for public swimming pools and spas, interactive water features, artificial swimming lagoons, public nuisances, and other public health sanitation issues. Coordinates PHSP program activities within the department, with State and Federal agencies, local health officials and key stakeholder organizations. Develops program policies and standard operating procedures, establishes inspection criteria, and sets standards for receiving and responding to public complaints. Serves as agency technical expert in responding to legislative, media, and public citizen questions and concerns regarding PHSP issues. Prepares and presents technical information to professional and citizen groups; coordinates development of outreach materials and guidance documents; and provides training to inspection staff. Performs technical and quality control review of work performed by inspection staff. Directs the preparation of rulemaking as needed for implementation of related legislation and handles special legislative assignments. Performs other duties as assigned by the Manager to meet the needs of the Branch and the Environmental Section. Duties also include participating in emergency response training and performing emergency response activities as assigned. Works under minimal direction with considerable 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.

(40%) Serves as the Public Health Sanitation Programs (PHSP) Specialist by providing oversight and coordination of program regulatory activities for public swimming pools and spas, interactive water features, artificial swimming lagoons, public nuisances, and other public health sanitation regulations under Health and Safety Code Chapters 341, 343, and 757. Coordinates program activities with Operations and Inspection staff, State and Federal agencies, local health officials, and key stakeholder organizations to review operational processes and procedures, identify barriers, and execute solutions as needed to ensure that program regulations are implemented effectively. Develops policies and standard operating procedures for each program; establishes criteria for inspection report review and endorsement; sets standards for receiving and responding to public complaints and requests; and ensures that all complaints are investigated and resolved in a timely manner. Provides feedback to manager on performance goals and process improvement strategies for development and implementation of effective program policies, standards, and quality assurance methods.

(20%) Serves as the agency’s technical expert in responding to legislative, media, agency, and public citizen questions and concerns regarding PHSP regulations for public swimming pools and spas, interactive water features, artificial swimming lagoons, public nuisances, and other public health sanitation issues. Prepares and presents technical regulatory information to professional and citizen groups and coordinates development of outreach materials and guidance documents. Provides technical consultation and interpretations of state and federal regulations to local health officials, industry representatives, the public, and department staff. Develops and presents program specific training for inspectors and conducts joint inspections for training purposes. Represents the department at public hearings and provides technical guidance to attendees.  Develops and presents seminars on rules, laws and program issues at meetings and conferences.

(20%) Performs comprehensive technical and quality control reviews of complex inspection and complaint investigation reports conducted by inspection staff under regulations for public swimming pools and spas, interactive water features, artificial lagoons, public nuisances, and other public health sanitation issues. Reviews and evaluates inspection and complaint outcomes and associated evidence to ensure fair and uniform application of the regulatory standards. Reviews letters of noncompliance, evaluates conditions and directs appropriate action to resolve documented inspection deficiencies. Based on review findings, may compose endorsement summaries using Microsoft Word and Excel for referral to the Compliance Unit or the Compliance Review Committee (CRC). May recommend routine warning letters and/or initiate escalated enforcement to the CRC as needed for possible referral to the Office of the Attorney General for injunctive relief or civil penalty. May prepare and present cases to CRC, including compliance history and enforcement summaries. Oversees the resolution of enforcement cases by providing interpretations of laws and regulations to department staff and regional inspection staff and serves as technical resource specialist at informal settlement conferences or hearings. May coordinate follow-up inspections as needed to evaluate compliance with legal orders. Assists in conducting joint inspections during special assignments. May be called upon as a technical expert witness to provide testimony for legal cases.

(15%) Directs the preparation of rulemaking as needed for implementation of related legislation. Oversees the development of rules packages, ensuring participation by stakeholders, legal counsel, and program staff to develop rule language. Works closely with the Environmental Rules Coordinator to develop proposed rules packages. Directs teams in developing goals, strategies, time frames, priorities, and plans for implementing state legislation and rules. Reviews and evaluates draft rule products of teams to ensure that goals are achieved. Presents rule packages to Health and Humans Services Executive Council. Reviews state and federal legislation and rules to evaluate impact on program activities and develops legislative analyses and rules comments as assigned. Handles special legislative assignments and prepares and submits bill analyses, bill summaries, fiscal notes, and statements of program needs assigned by the Manager. 

(5%) Performs other duties as assigned by the Manager to meet the needs of the Branch and Section. Duties also include participating in emergency response training and performing emergency response activities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge and comprehension of state and federal statutes and regulations affecting swimming pools and spas, interactive water features, artificial swimming lagoons, public nuisances, and other public health issues under Health and Safety Code, Title 5 Chapter 341, 343 and Title 9 Chapter 757 and Texas Administrative Code Chapter 265, Subchapters K, L, and M.

Knowledge and comprehension of safety and general sanitation principles and practices in swimming pools and spas, interactive water features, and artificial swimming lagoons.

Knowledge of the structure and functions of local, state, and federal agencies and organizations.

Knowledge of general or environmental health and safety principles, practices, and management. Knowledge of legislative procedures and agency rule-making processes.

Knowledge and understanding of the natural sciences, particularly biology and chemistry.

Skill in understanding and interpreting relevant statutes and regulations.

Skill in reviewing technical inspection, investigation, or audit reports to ensure compliance with regulations.

Skill in technical, writing, training, teaching, public speaking, and risk communication.

Skill in the use of various software programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities.

Ability to work effectively as a team leader in an environment of change.

Ability to effectively coordinate work activities between teams to complete projects.

Ability to organize staff resources and workloads to implement project goals and objectives.

Ability to develop long range plans and goals for highly technical programs.

Ability to accurately interpret regulatory statutes, rules, policies, and procedures, and to respond to inquiries from both internal and external customers.

Ability to develop and evaluate policies and procedures, and to respond to inquiries regarding same from both internal and external customers.

Ability to assemble, correlate, and analyze data and facts to develop reports and to devise solutions to problems.

Ability to use proper inspection procedures and logic pathways to determine compliance status.

Ability to communicate technical information effectively, and to prepare and present highly technical information to professional groups and the public.

Ability to adhere to agency policies and procedures.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to make sound decisions.

Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with co-workers, teams, supervisors, managers, the regulated community, the public, and professionals at all levels of government and industry.

Ability to be tactful and diplomatic in adverse situations. 

Ability to travel as necessary to attend technical training courses, perform outreach and inspections, and to conduct training and evaluations of field staff.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must be registered as a professional sanitarian by the State of Texas.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Required:

Possession of a current State of Texas sanitarian registration.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in natural science or a related field
Minimum of two years of experience conducting pool inspections as a local health inspector or code compliance officer

Preferred:

Undergraduate or advanced degree in public health or in a natural, environmental, or other science discipline from a U.S. accredited college or university or foreign degree determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evaluator.

Membership in a regional or national pool code and/or safety organization.

Two or more years of experience in reading and interpreting laws and rules and offering guidance to industry, public, or local health departments.

Two or more years of experience as a code enforcement officer or in code enforcement covering nuisance and health ordinances.

Additional Information:

Applicants should list all credentials, coursework, and experience in natural science, public health sanitation, or related fields. Applicants should also specify education and experience in conducting inspections and investigations in environmental sanitation work; conducting meetings or performing public speaking in a professional setting; and reading and interpreting laws and rules and offering guidance to industry, public, or local health departments.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application but may be provided as supplemental materials. All fields on the application must be filled in completely. Applicants must provide information relevant to the experience required for this position in the job history sections of the application.

If selected, a candidate must be able and willing to provide current and previous work references before a final offer of employment is extended.

Applicants selected for an interview will be required to complete a proficiency/skills test at the time of the interview (e.g. Excel or writing).

Applicants must have the ability and willingness to work core business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with flexibility for overtime during peak workloads and during legislative session.

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