JOB TITLE: ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGIST, DEP

JOB CODE: 34550

DEFINITION: This is highly responsible professional and scientific work administering the environmental toxicology program for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

The employee in this job provides program direction, subject matter expertise, and consultation related to environmental exposures and risks affecting the health of biological resources, habitats, residents, and visitors of the Commonwealth. Work involves developing policies and procedures to address specific environmental toxicological issues impacting the public, providing direction and guidance in the development of programs to reduce toxic exposures, and developing informational materials to increase public awareness of toxicologic environmental hazards. Work includes evaluating toxicological information and related scientific studies to identify and implement appropriate policy measures for preventing and mitigating environmental and public health risks. Work is performed under the general direction of a higher-level administrator and reviewed through conferences, reports, and results attained.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Provides consultative guidance to other government agencies, private industries, and local communities on highly technical toxicological issues and environmental hazards.

• Evaluates scientific toxicological information related to environmental exposures and risks to ensure the accurate and timely dissemination of information to the public and other stakeholders.

• Provides guidance and support to agency and program staff in the collection and analysis of environmental exposure data and the dissemination of information pertaining to the health effects of toxicological and environmental hazards.

• Provides direction and assistance in the development of programs to reduce exposures to hazardous or toxic substances in the air, land, and water.

• Evaluates proposals for new and emerging technologies to process waste streams, identifies and evaluates risk, and develops polices and protocols that address contaminants.

• Evaluates new toxicity information, interprets toxicity studies and supporting documentation used to develop toxicity values, and determines when changes are necessary to the exposure factors used to calculate the medium specific concentrations (MSCs); and recommends updates to Pennsylvania Code, Chapter 250 to incorporate new toxicological information.

• Acts as the liaison with other state and federal agencies in identifying toxicological hazards and implementing emergency plans and procedures.

• Conducts special environmental investigations and follow-up studies and investigations.

• Reviews and analyzes scientific studies, rating their reliability and selecting key and supporting studies in a weight of evidence approach.

• Performs exposure and toxicity assessments for chemicals and quantitatively evaluates environmental and human health risks.

• Plans and conducts research projects in cooperation with other agencies and state and educational institutions.

• Develops health advisories, educational brochures, and factsheets related to public health and the environment to increase awareness among the public, agency staff, and other stakeholders regarding toxicologic environmental hazards.

• Prepares and presents special reports to inform and educate a variety of audiences on environmental health issues of public or individual interest.

• Provides testimony on behalf of the DEP at legislative and court hearings and other related proceedings.

• Represents the DEP on advisory committees or at public meetings.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Employees in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health toxicology.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of biology, chemistry, and pharmacology as related to environmental health.

• Knowledge of environmental and public health laws and regulations.

• Knowledge of the clinical and physiological effects of toxic substances.

• Knowledge of epidemiological research methodology.

• Knowledge of laboratory diagnostic techniques used in identifying and reporting environmental and toxicological hazards.

• Knowledge of interpretation and presentation methods of epidemiological data.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Three years of post-doctoral experience in the field of toxicology or pharmacology, which includes two years of experience in conducting risk assessments or setting toxicity thresholds; and a doctoral degree in toxicology or a closely related field.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position requires board certification in general toxicology by the American Board of Toxicology or an equivalent certifying body within 12-24 months of employment.