TAHC Livestock Inspector - Montague (Stephenville

Monthly Salary: $3,730.13 - $4,780.13 per month, plus benefits. Career ladder opportunity.

Position location: Headquarters in Bowie or Decatur, TX (Stephenville Region). Must reside in Clay, Montague, Jack, or Wise counties.

About the Role

Performs inspections at livestock markets, feedlots, slaughter plants, flea markets, farms and ranches, and at other places where livestock, exotics, and poultry are gathered. Conducts livestock shipment inspection activities, as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Performs inspections at livestock markets, feedlots, slaughter plants, flea markets, farms and ranches, and other locations where livestock, exotics, and poultry are gathered.
• Collects samples for testing from cattle, swine, equine, exotics, sheep, goats, and poultry.
• Enforces quarantines and other livestock disease control measures, including livestock shipment activities.
• Performs periodic public education contacts with community media resources and organizations.
• Participates in emergency management activities and responses to disease outbreaks as assigned.
• Maintains accurate and detailed work activity records.
• Drives extensively on a daily basis, using personal or agency vehicle.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Graduation from standard senior high school or GED.

• Inspector II: Must have general experience working with livestock.
• Inspector III: Must have at least one (1) year of livestock experience working as a TAHC Livestock Inspector or USDA Animal Health Technician.
• Inspector IV: Must have at least three (3) years of livestock experience working as a TAHC Livestock Inspector or USDA Animal Health Technician.
• Inspector V: Must have at least five (5) 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 or USDA Animal Health Technician, newly hired inspectors will start at the Inspector II classification and pay. TAHC Animal Health Inspectors cannot have personal involvement with livestock or poultry/fowl to the extent that it creates an actual or perceived conflict of interest in executing regulatory enforcement duties or restricts ability to carry out disease program activities.

Skills

• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with livestock producers, market owners/operators, local area emergency management coordinators, coworkers, and others involved in animal agriculture.
• Skill in keeping detailed written records; operating a laptop computer, hand-held data collection device, global positioning system (GPS), and other equipment necessary to perform job duties.
• Effective oral and written communication skills; legible handwriting.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions; 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.
• Ability to travel extensively (some overnight and some weekends) 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 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 be able to lift 50 pounds overhead to fill corn feeders.

Other Requirements

• Cholinesterase testing may be required monthly.
• Inspectors will be required to be fit tested with a respirator.
• Must have a valid Texas driver’s license and safe driving record.
• Employment contingent upon an acceptable criminal background check and moving violation record from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
• Must have reliable transportation. Mileage reimbursed at current allowance rate.
• At time of hire, must show proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Proof of eligibility confirmed using E-Verify.
• All males age 18 through 25 must present proof of registration or exemption from registration with the Selective Service upon hire.
• As an emergency response agency, this position plays a key role in the agency’s emergency management activities. As a first responder, this position is subject to rotating temporary duty assignments away from the regular designated headquarters for up to two weeks at a time, which may involve working in adverse conditions.