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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50692774 |
Description Activated On: 4/24/2026 8:22:32 AM |
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 Department of Environmental Protection that requires professional and scientific consultation on environmental toxicology issues affecting the lives and health of Pennsylvania’s biological resources and habitat and the residents and visitors of the Commonwealth. |
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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 scientific toxicological information related to environmental exposures and risks to ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information to the public and other stakeholders to prevent/minimize adverse environmental health effects. Provides guidance and support to the agency and program staff in the collection and analysis of data on environmental exposures, public health and environmental outcomes, and dissemination of information pertaining to the health effects of toxicological and environmental hazards to protect the environment and public health. Develops policies and procedures for coordinating resources during toxic environmental emergencies and assists with the conduct of follow-up studies/investigations to prevent/mitigate adverse environmental health effects to the public. Provides direction and assistance in the development of programs to reduce exposures to hazardous or toxic substances in the air, land, and water. Acts as the liaison with other state and federal agencies in identifying toxicological hazards and implementing emergency plans and procedures to protect public health and the environment. Represents DEP on advisory workgroups. Upon direction, provides consultative service to other governmental agencies, private industries, and local communities on toxicological issues and environmental hazards to prevent/mitigate adverse environmental and public health effects. Provides expert consultation using current 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 may include speaking on behalf of the DEP at advisory committees or public meetings, and providing expert testimonies on behalf of the DEP at legislative and court hearings and other related proceedings. Develops new and reviews existing health advisories, educational brochures, and factsheets related to public health and the environment using knowledge of toxicology, methods and routes of exposure, and acute/chronic human health effects to effectively convey environmental health messages to the public, agency staff, and other stakeholders to increase awareness about toxicologic environmental hazards. Critically 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. Works with the legal staff on matters related to toxicological issues as needed. Maintains up-to-date knowledge on federal and state environmental and health standards/guidelines/action levels. 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. Communicates clearly with a variety of audiences about public health and environmental issues and outcomes associated with chemical/toxic/environmental exposures. Compiles and develops toxicity reference values and advises staff on appropriate application for exposure scenarios. Develops trainings and presentations on toxicology and risk assessment principles. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. |
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 and 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/program requesting consultation and assistance. 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. |
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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: 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. 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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