Retail Operations Officer

Position Information

Date posted:
Jul 8, 2026

Location:

AUSTIN, TX

Functional

Title:

Retail Operations Officer

Job Title:

Sanitarian III

Agency:
Dept of State Health Services

Department:
Food & Drug

Posting No.: 18701

Closing Date: 09/06/2026

Salary: $4,801.16 - $7,761.50 per month

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-22

Shift: Day

Telework:
Eligible

Travel:
Up to 10%

Employment Type:

Regular Full Time Non‑exempt

Job Location:

1100 W 49TH ST (RDM), Austin, TX

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). Visit the DSHS Careers Page for more information. Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Under the general direction of the Retail Food Safety Operations (RFSO) Branch Manager, the Sanitarian III performs highly advanced retail food safety operations work. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Supports, and functions as a member of, the two primary teams currently inherent in RFSO – Training and Compliance. Duties may include:

• Participation in RFSO training functions, including maintenance of digital standardization records, joint field inspections and standardization exercises, development of training materials such as field manuals and Power Point presentations, and presentation of training to small and large groups of DSHS staff and regulated stakeholders.
• Detailed QA review of retail food inspection reports in accordance with relevant regulations and development of cases for escalated enforcement action.
• Frequent interaction with Regional‑Local Health Operations (RLHO) Field Staff, regulated stakeholders, and the general public to assist with questions and interpretation of statutes/rules, licensing procedures, and complaints.
• Retail food safety policy development and implementation and legislative rule writing.
• Primary coordination for RFSO's response to requests under the Freedom of Information Act and quarterly reports for the Legislative Budget Board.
• Emergency response and other duties as assigned.

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

(50%) Under the direction of the Retail Food Safety Operations Compliance Officer, reviews/endorses retail food inspections conducted by DSHS Regional Field Sanitarians, ensuring proper format, appropriate citation of deficiencies, and presentation of supporting evidence. Writes warning letters and develops enforcement cases for violative retail food establishments. Interacts with inspection staff and regulated stakeholders to provide assistance and respond to complex questions regarding the interpretation of statutes and rules related to retail food establishments as they apply to daily operations.

(30%) Assists with the maintenance and update of website registries, legislative reviews, rule amendments, bill analyses, and formal responses to legislative and other governmental and general inquiries.

(10%) Helps maintain electronic standardization records and computerized statewide database of standardized training officers. Conducts joint field inspections and audits inspections as assigned. Monitors the quality of reports submitted by new field inspectors who are assigned to conduct retail food establishment inspections. Participates in development of field manuals, presentations, and other training materials.

(10%) Performs emergency response functions and participates in emergency response training as required. Participates in exercises and actual emergency responses as required.

Safe operation of either state‑owned or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS‑3901.

• Bachelor’s Degree from a U.S. accredited college/university (or equivalent foreign education) with at least 30 semester hours in basic science or natural science.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in the field of sanitation or environmental…