Address
Form of workPosition Title: Livestock Inspector - Laredo Region (Willacy)
State Classification/Title/Salary Group: 1322 / Inspector II / B13; 1323 / Inspector III / B15; 1324 / Inspector IV / B17
Monthly Salary: $2,913.75 - 3,813.75 / month plus state benefits
Position Location: Position headquarters will be in Santa Monica, Texas. Duties will cover Willacy County and TAHC quarantined premises in Cameron County.
FLSA Status: Non - Exempt
Veterans, Reservist or Guardsmen with an MOS or additional duties that fall in the fields of 68R- Veterinary Food Inspection Specialist, UT- Utilities man, 6033- Aircraft Nondestructive Inspection Technician, 2A7X2- Nondestructive Inspection or other related fields pertaining to the minimum experience requirements may meet the minimum qualifications for this position and are highly encouraged to apply. Additional Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_InspectorsandInvestigators.pdf
General Description:
Performs technical and specialized work related to the Texas Fever Tick Eradication Program. Duties include tracing, inspection and/or treatment of animals for fever ticks, scabies, screwworm or other parasitic infestations; conducting complex investigations of possible illegal movement or smuggling of livestock; and other conditions or programs of particular interest to the Texas Animal Health Commission, including, but not limited to cattle fever ticks, brucellosis, tuberculosis and bovine trichomoniasis. May be asked to perform inspections at livestock markets, feedlots, slaughter plants, flea markets, farms and ranches, and at other places where livestock, exotics, and poultry are gathered and or to conduct livestock shipment inspection activities, as assigned.
Essential Job Functions:
Performs weekend inspections and treatments of livestock for the purpose of locating and inspecting livestock which might be carrying cattle fever ticks or other exotic ticks, scabies mites, screwworm, or other foreign animal diseases.
Performs apprehension, inspection, and treatment of unpredictable livestock in the tick infested or exposed areas of Texas.
Performs treatments at the temporary tick vats.
Performs wildlife inspections and treatments, as needed, during hunting season.
Inspects premises in areas that may be impacted by fever ticks or other parasitic infestations.
Investigates additions to or removal of livestock from herd in and around the fever tick areas.
Collects and makes tentative identification of ticks according to genus, species, stages of life cycle, sex, and sexual maturity.
May conduct inspection, testing or treatment of livestock for diseases or conditions of animal health importance in Texas.
May perform inspections at livestock markets, feedlots, slaughter plants, flea markets, farms and ranches, and at other locations where livestock, exotics, and poultry are gathered.
May collect samples for testing from cattle, swine, equine, exotics, sheep, goats and poultry.
Enforces quarantines and other livestock disease control measures, including livestock shipment activities.
May perform periodic public education contacts with community media resources and organizations.
May participate in emergency management activities and responses to disease outbreaks as assigned.
Maintains accurate and detailed work activity records.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation from standard senior high school or GED ( ):
Inspector II - Must have general experience working with livestock;
Inspector III - Must have at least one year of livestock experience working as a TAHC Livestock Inspector or USDA Animal Health Technician.
Inspector IV - Must have at least two years of livestock experience working as a TAHC Livestock Inspector or USDA Animal Health Technician.
Note: This is a career ladder position. Unless a previous TAHC Inspector, newly hired inspectors will come in at the Inspector II classification and pay.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Ability to safely handle livestock; to acquire knowledge of the laws and regulations governing livestock markets, brucellosis, and other regulatory programs and to apply regulations to work activities. Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with livestock producers, market owners/operators, local area emergency management coordinators, coworkers, and others involved in animal agriculture. Skilled in keeping detailed written records. Must have or be able to acquire skills in operating a laptop computer, hand-held data collection device, global positioning system (GPS), and other equipment necessary to perform job duties. Must have effective oral and written communication skills; legible handwriting; and, ability to follow oral and written instructions. Ability to travel extensively (some overnight) and to work occasional overtime as required. Regular days off fluctuate depending upon workload.
Physical Requirements: Must have arm, hand, shoulder and back strength and dexterity to be able to handle and restrain livestock, including cattle, horses, swine, small ruminants, exotic forms of livestock, and poultry. Must be able to lift and maneuver equipment such as chutes, portable pens, spraying equipment, trailers, and instruments weighing up to 50 pounds used for restraining and testing large animals. Must also be able to lift 50 pounds overhead to fill corn feeders.
Note: Cholinesterase testing will be required monthly. Inspectors will be required to be fit tested with a respirator.
IMPORTANT: The TAHC is an emergency response agency. The Livestock Inspector position plays a key role in the agency's emergency management activities. As a first responder, this position is subject to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments away from the regular designated headquarters for up to two weeks at a time. This duty may involve working in adverse conditions; may require irregular working hours and overtime; and, may include duties other than those specified in the standard position description.
Other: Must have a valid Texas driver's license and safe driving record. Applicants may be subject to a driving record and criminal background check. Employment of selected candidate is contingent upon the receipt of an acceptable criminal background check and an acceptable moving violation record from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Note: Must have reliable transportation. Mileage reimbursed at current allowance rate.
How to Apply:
To submit your application for employment, select Apply Online. Create and/or Login to your on-line applicant profile and electronically submit your State of Texas Application for Employment.
All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.
Only interviewed applicants will receive notice of the final disposition of the selection process.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
The Texas Animal Health Commission is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability in employment or in the provision of services. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any requests for reasonable accommodation needed during the application process should be communicated by the applicant to our Human Resources Department (512) 719-0700. For a telecommunications relay service for the hearing impaired, please dial 711. At time of hire, selected applicants must show proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. will be confirmed using E-Verify. All males who are age 18 through 25 and required to register with the Selective Service must present proof of registration or exemption from registration upon hire.
