TAHC Temporary Livestock Inspector, Ectoparasite Response

Position Title:  Temporary Livestock Inspector – Ectoparasite Response

Position Location:  Laredo/Willacy

Your Skills. Our Mission. Stronger Together at TAHC!

Start your career at the Texas Animal Health Commission as we work together to protect the livestock industry. Whether you’re looking to begin your career, apply your current skills and experience, or explore opportunities to innovate, we encourage you to apply! At TAHC, we promote a culture of teamwork, open communication, transparency, and a commitment to educating the public while safeguarding Texas livestock. Join us and make a difference—because protecting Texas agriculture starts with you!

*This is a full‑time, temporary position currently funded through August 31, 2027. Continuation beyond this date is dependent on the availability of permanent funding.

General Description:

Performs moderately complex (journey-level) inspections of ectoparasites including Cattle Fever Ticks, New World Screwworms (NWS) and other livestock pests and diseases. Performs inspections at livestock markets, feedlots, slaughter plants, flea markets, farms and ranches, and at other places where livestock, exotics, and poultry are gathered. Works under general supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. May require irregular working hours, overtime, and occasional weekends.

Essential Duties:

• Performs inspections for signs of ectoparasites at livestock markets, feedlots, slaughter plants, flea markets, farms and ranches, and at other locations where livestock, exotics, and poultry are gathered.
• Monitors and surveys livestock to identify ectoparasite infestations early to help prevent the spread.
• Reports any suspects of ectoparasite infestation to appropriate veterinarian staff and management.
• Collects samples for testing from cattle, swine, equine, exotics, sheep, goats and poultry.
• Collaborates with state and federal agencies to assist with control measures, including but not limited to release of sterile males to NWS populations. 
• Enforces quarantines and other livestock disease control measures, including livestock shipment activities.
• Provides education to the livestock producers and the general public on ectoparasites and the importance of early detection and reporting.
• Performs periodic public education contacts with community media resources and organizations.
• Serves in a primary active role 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 a personal or agency vehicle. May travel outside of Laredo region.
• Performs other related 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 (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: 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 in any way restricts ability to carry out disease program activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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; 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; 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.

Other Requirements:  Cholinesterase testing will be required monthly. Inspectors will be required to be fit tested with a respirator.

May require irregular working hours, overtime, and occasional weekends. Must have a valid Texas driver’s license and safe driving record. 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.

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.

IMPORTANT: The TAHC is 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 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.

How to Apply: To submit your application for employment, click the link below, 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 history (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. 

Veterans, Reservist or Guardsmen with an MOS or additional duties that fall in the fields related to the minimum requirements may meet the minimum qualifications for this position and are highly encouraged to apply. Additional Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at: Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions

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.