License and Permit Specialist III

Date: Jun 8, 2026 Location: AUSTIN, TX 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). For more information, visit the DSHS Careers Page. Job Details Functional Title: License and Permit Specialist III Job Title: License and Permit Spec III Agency: Dept of State Health Services Department: Food & Drug Posting Number: 17759 Closing Date: 06/22/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Office and Administrative Support Salary Range: $3,793.41 - $5,921.25 Pay Frequency: Monthly Salary Group: TEXAS-B-18 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: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM), AUSTIN MOS Codes: 0100,0111,0170,3F5X1,PERS,SN,YN,YNS General Description License & Permit Specialist III. Under the direction of the Drug and Food Licensing Branch Manager, performs highly complex (senior-level), certification, licensing, permitting, and registration work with limited supervision. Work involves the following programs, statutes, and rules: Retail Foods, Certified Food Manager, Drugs and Medical Devices, and Seafood and Aquatic Life; Texas Health and Safety Code Chapters 431, 436, and 437; and Title 25 of the Texas Administrative Code Chapters 228, 229 and 241. Primarily responsible for the Retail Food initial applications and all Drugs and Medical Devices applications. Conducts quality assurance/quality control activities on printed licenses, permits, certificates, and registrations. Processes, approves or initiates denial of all types of applications for all programs listed. Determines if businesses/entities fall under DSHS jurisdiction and applicable public health laws and rules. Communicates, interprets, and explains statutes, rules, and policies to applicants, license holders, other sections and units within DSHS, the public, and other government agencies via verbal and written means. Generates performance reports, conducts database maintenance, serves as backup to other unit staff. Performs other duties as assigned, including actively participating in disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Essential Job Functions (EJF) EJF 1 (40%): Receives, reviews initial Retail Food applications for completeness. Determines fees based on regulatory requirements and applications. Identifies and resolves application deficiencies through development of correspondence or telephone contact to applicants. After determining jurisdiction approves, rejects, denies, or moves to deny applicants for a permit. Assists branch manager in reviews, develops, and submits changes/amendments to rules regarding Retail Food. Provides policy interpretation on rules and regulations pertaining to Retail Food to federal, local authorities, other States’ Government Regulatory Agencies; Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Inspectors and internal state office staff; and applicants. Enters Retail Food applications, fees, and additional fees into RAS and determines expiration date based on regulatory requirements. Maintains tracking and filing system for Retail Food permits and licenses. EJF 2 (15%): Drugs and Medical Devices – Receives, reviews initial Drugs and Medical Devices applications for completeness. Identifies and resolves application deficiencies through development of correspondence or telephone contact to applicants. After determining jurisdiction approves, rejects, denies, or moves to deny applicants for a license. Assists unit manager in reviewing, developing, and submitting changes/amendments to rules regarding Drugs and Medical Devices. Provides policy interpretation on rules and regulations pertaining to Drugs and Medical Devices to federal, local authorities, other States’ Government Regulatory Agencies; DSHS Inspectors and internal state office staff; and applicants. Enters Drugs and Medical Devices applications, fees, and additional fees into RAS. Maintains tracking and filing system for Drugs and Medical Devices licenses. EJF 3 (30%): Receives, reviews, and processes all renewal and amendment applications for all programs covered by the Drug and Food Licensing Branch. Determines eligibility and approves, rejects, denies, or moves to deny applicants for a license, permit, certificate, registration or inspection. Interprets rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; determines license eligibility; communicates with applicants, regulated industry, the public, and governmental agencies via written and/or verbal communications. Maintains the Regulatory Automated System database of licensed establishments. Notifies noncompliant establishments of state laws and regulations. Assists other staff with researching 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. EJF 4 (5%): Licensing and Certification Activities – Develops, monitors, and enters data into RAS regarding numbers of certificates and licenses issued, and total dollars collected for fees. Assists in preparation of legislative responses. Prepares statistical, financial, and performance reports for Branch Manager as requested using RAS. Monitors and performs audits for payment of fees by reviewing confidential governmental records. EJF 5 (5%): Performs other duties as assigned, including actively participating in disaster response and/or recovery or COOP activation. Such participation may require alternate shift patterns or location. EJF 6 (5%): Acts as backup to other unit staff as needed to ensure continuous operations and issuance of licenses, permits, certifications, and registrations, including answering phones and printing of licenses, permits, certificates, and registrations. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Experience with local, state, and federal laws regulating the Retail Foods, Certified Food Manager, Drugs and Medical Devices, and Seafood and Aquatic Life programs. Experience with permitting, licensing, certifying, and registering procedures. Proficient with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Adobe. Skilled in using the Regulatory Automation System or any other database. Strong written and verbal communication. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, plan and organize programs, establish priorities, manage time effectively, and exercise good judgment. Ability to work with diverse groups and as an effective team member. Ability to coordinate activities between branches within the Consumer Protection Division. Initial Screening Criteria Experience with permitting, licensing, certifying, and registering. Experience using the Regulatory Automation System or any other database. Experience using computers and utilizing Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Adobe. Additional Information 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. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview. 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 are 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. 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 online application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at View phone number on click.appcast.io or via email at View email address on click.appcast.io. 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. Nearest Major Market: Austin #J-18808-Ljbffr Texas Department of State Health Services