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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50593676 |
Description Activated On: 4/20/2026 3:59:09 PM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. This is a high-level position within the Bureau of Epidemiology’s Division of Environmental Health that requires the provision of expert consultation on highly technical environmental public health issues affecting the lives of Pennsylvania’s citizens. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Evaluates toxicological information related to environmental chemical exposures using advanced scientific knowledge in toxicology to ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information to the public and other stakeholders to prevent/ minimize adverse health effects. Provides guidance and support to the division staff in the collection and analysis of data on environmental exposure and health outcome and dissemination of information pertaining to the health effects of toxicological and environmental hazards to protect public health. Develops policies and procedures for coordinating resources during toxic environmental emergencies and assists with the conduct of follow-up epidemiological studies/ investigations to prevent/mitigate adverse health effects to the public. Act as a technical consultant on toxicological environmental issues for other programs within the division such as the health assessment program, the unconventional oil and natural gas production health information database, and others. Collaborates with healthcare practitioners to provide consultation and advice on medical precautions and clinical recommendations during toxic and environmental emergencies. Collaborates with healthcare practitioners to provide consultation and advice on the toxic and clinical effects of chemical and industrial hazards on humans. Acts as the liaison with other state and federal agencies in identifying toxicological hazards and implementing emergency plans and procedures to protect public health. Upon direction, provides consultative service to other governmental agencies, private industries, and local communities on toxicological issues and environmental hazards to prevent/mitigate adverse health effects. Provides expert consultation using advanced scientific knowledge in environmental toxicology and prepares specialized reports to inform and educate a variety of audiences on environmental health issues of public or individual interest. Activities include, but not limited to: • Speaking to the media on toxic chemicals and their potential health effects as assigned. • Serving as the spokesperson for the DOH on toxicological issues. • Serving as technical expert in the interagency Fish Consumption Technical Advisory Workgroup. • Serving as a member of the State Pesticide Advisory Board. Develops or reviews health advisories, educational brochures and factsheets related to environmental health using knowledge of toxicology, methods and routes of exposure, and acute/chronic human health effects to effectively convey environmental health messages to the public, healthcare providers and other stakeholders to increase awareness about toxicologic environmental hazards. Works with the legal staff on matters related to toxicological issues. Maintains up-to-date knowledge on federal and state health standards/ guidelines/ action levels / comparison values (Minimum Risk Levels, Cancer Risk Evaluation Guides) to select chemicals for further evaluation. Based on the evaluation, determination should be made whether a public health threat exists. Prepares and presents special reports and makes special environmental investigations as required. Plans and conducts research projects in cooperation with other agencies, and state and educational institutions. Public Health Emergency Response: This position may be assigned to an emergency assignment to support the public health emergency response mission of the DOH. Emergency assignments could at times be received with little or no advance notice, and may continue for any period of time – ranging from a few hours to several weeks, depending upon the nature of the circumstance. The emergency assignments may at times be performed under adverse conditions and may require travel to another site other than the employee’s assigned headquarters for periods of time. Performs other related duties as assigned. Performs other related duties as assigned. Telework-eligible (part-time) posting language: You will have the opportunity to work from home (telework), part-time up 2 days a week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. Demonstrate awareness of the vulnerable populations the organization serves by identifying, providing, and advocating for resources, services, communication methods, and policies that would help those populations achieve health equity. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Leadership role in organization: Position does not supervise, manage, or serve as lead worker but provides expert consultation on highly technical environmental public health issues to the commonwealth. Decision making in work processes: Decision making occurs following careful analysis and interpretation. Employee is responsible to find information to develop solutions or approaches. Occasionally, decision making involves addressing new or unique issues or problems that have not been previously addressed and these decisions are made following expert analysis and discussions with supervisor. Supervisor’s input to decision making: Supervisor reviews work through periodic reports relating work assignments to project goals. Decision making is at the consultative level and may impact program policy. Public Health Competencies relevant to the position: Prepare and publish reports interpreting the effects of toxicants in individuals, populations and communities. As a team member, respond to public health issues linked to chemical/toxic exposures, including new or emerging public health concerns. Use knowledge of toxicological effects of chemicals to assess public health impacts from exposure to environmental toxicants. As a team member, investigate health outcomes in specific groups with respect to measured or modeled chemical exposures. Apply advanced technical knowledge to integrate toxicity and exposure information to characterize potential health risks and margins of safety. Assess health risks and management options to protect environment or public Health. Design or implement programs to reduce the exposure to hazardous substances. Have proficiency to develop and publish reports, monitor data quality, report on data deficiencies, and make recommendations for improvement, orally or in writing. Communicate clearly with a variety of audiences about health issues and outcomes associated with chemical/toxic exposures. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. N/A 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. N/A 5. N/A 6. N/A |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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