Youth Camp Program 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: Youth Camp Program Specialist 
Job Title: Sanitarian III 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Environmental 
Posting Number: 18697 
Closing Date: 07/20/2026 
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 highly advanced (senior-level) environmental sanitation work for youth camp and public health sanitation programs under the team leadership of the Youth Camp & Public Sanitation (YCPS) Coordinator and the supervision of the Environmental Hazards and Public Sanitation (EHPS) Operations Branch Manager. Serves as the Youth Camp and Campus Program for Minors Programs Specialist and works with the Playground Safety and Medical Waste Treatment Technologies programs. Serves as DSHS liaison with Youth Camp Advisory Board to coordinate bi-annual meetings and oversee the review of applications for vacant committee membership positions. Assists in developing program policies and standard operating procedures. Provides guidance and training to regional field staff and regulated industry personnel and conducts joint inspections. Reviews and endorses Youth Camp applications and inspections and prepares and presents cases for escalated enforcement. Serves as the Operations Branch liaison with Compliance Section for Compliance Review Committee (CRC) meetings and informal conferences. Receives, reviews, and approves Youth Camp and Campus Program for Minors Sexual Abuse and Child Molestation Awareness Training and Examination Programs. Maintains a current list of approved programs online. Reviews, documents, and responds to complaints regarding potential sexual abuse or molestation at licensed Youth Camps. Oversees the development of rule revision projects with program staff and developing agency cost estimates and bill analysis during legislative sessions. Provides program support to public health sanitation programs and performs other duties as assigned by the Team Leader and 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 extensive 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.

(30%) Performs highly advanced (senior-level) environmental sanitation work for youth camp and public health sanitation programs under the team leadership of the YCPS Coordinator and the supervision of the EHPS Operations Branch Manager. Serves as the Youth Camp and Campus Program for Minors Programs Specialist and works with the Playground Safety and Medical Waste Treatment Technologies programs. Serves as DSHS liaison to the Youth Camp Advisory Committee, coordinates bi-annual meetings and oversees the review of applications for vacant committee membership positions. Coordinates program activities with department staff, regional field staff, Regional and Local Health Operations Division, 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. Updates DSHS Youth Camp program website as needed. Answers questions, complaints, and provides rule guidance to regional field staff and regulated industry. Conducts joint inspections for training purposes and to provide backup to regional inspection program when required.

(30%) Reviews Youth Camp initial applications to ensure applicants meet licensing requirements. Assigns inspections in the Versa Regulatory (VR) system to regional field staff and forwards recommendations for issuance to Licensing Branch in a timely manner. Reviews and endorses routine inspection reports for Youth Camps to ensure fair and uniform application of the regulatory standards using Microsoft Word and Excel. Reports may include following-up with camp operators on Corrective Action Plans. Prepares and presents cases involving Youth Camps for escalated enforcement as needed. Serves as the Operations Branch liaison with Compliance Section for Compliance Review Committee (CRC) meetings and informal conferences.

(15%) Receives, reviews, and approves Youth Camp and Campus Program for Minors Sexual Abuse and Child Molestation Awareness Training and Examination Programs. Maintains a current list of approved programs online. Reviews, documents, and responds to complaints regarding potential sexual abuse or molestation at licensed Youth Camps, keeping the YCPS Coordinator and Branch Manager in the loop as appropriate. Assigns complaints in the VR system to regional field staff regarding Youth Camps for investigation and review.

(10%) Serves as subject matter expert regarding Youth Camps and Campus Program for Minors to coordinate any rule revision projects with program staff and assist in developing agency cost estimates and bill analysis during legislative sessions. 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. May present rule packages to Health and Humans Services Executive Council.

10%) Serves as backup to the YCPS as needed, providing program support for the 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. 

(5%) Performs other duties as assigned by the Branch 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 youth camps under Health and Safety Code, Chapter 141 and Texas Administrative Code Chapter 265, Subchapters B & N.

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

Knowledge of environmental sanitation principles and practices, state and federal public health laws, and public health organization structures and functions.

Knowledge of legislative procedures and agency rule-making processes.

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 oversee environmental and public health programs, to develop and implement policies and procedures, to evaluate laws and ordinances, and to supervise the work of others.

Ability to conduct inspections and investigations, to prepare concise reports, and to communicate effectively. 

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

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, supervisor, 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, to perform outreach, to perform 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:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in natural science or a related field. Current registration as a Professional Sanitarian in the State of Texas. Minimum of three years of full-time experience in conducting inspections and investigations in environmental sanitation work. 

Preferred:

Two or more years of full-time experience conducting meetings or performing public speaking in a professional setting.

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

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.  Consideration will also be given to known past job performance, if applicable, and prior work history.

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