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Human Health Toxicologist (Toxicologist 3)

Washington State Department of Ecology
Email
Description
 
 
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
 
Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We have a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology is a good fit.

The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) is looking to fill a Human Health Toxicologist (Toxicologist 3) position. The position will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.

The Human Health Toxicologist position supports TCP's strategic goal to clean up contaminated sites:
  • Implement the cleanup process so sites get cleaned up.
  • Improve the cleanup process so sites get cleaned up more efficiently.
  • Support site manager decision-making through guidance and tools.

We are looking for applicants with a customer service focus, the toxicological expertise and practical experience in contaminated site cleanup to provide technical assistance to internal and external entities managing contaminated site cleanups, and an ability to develop relationships and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.  

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability.

To learn more about the Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

 Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impacts

Duties

Accidental spills of dangerous materials and past business practices have contaminated land and water throughout the state. The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) works to remedy these situations, which range from cleaning up contamination from leaking underground storage tanks, to large, complex projects requiring engineering solutions. TCP's mission is to protect Washington's human health and environment by preventing and cleaning up pollution and supporting sustainable communities and natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations.

Primary activities include providing technical support for contaminated site cleanup under the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) Cleanup Rule, Chapter 173-340 WAC, and maintaining the Cleanup Level and Risk Calculation (CLARC) tool. This position gets to provide technical assistance and support to TCP staff working on the most complex contaminated sites across the program.

Some of the key work activities of the Human Health Toxicologist position are:

Serves as a technical specialist on toxicity, exposure to environmental contaminants, and human health risk assessment.
  • Independently provide site specific technical support, training and mentoring to lower level toxicologists and other cleanup program managers throughout TCP. This includes working on complex or controversial sites and providing training and mentoring on rule, policy, or technical changes and on statewide cleanup priorities.
  • Independently develop or provide technical support to other staff developing cleanup rules, policies, or guidance involving human health toxicology and risk assessment.
  • Routinely provide technical leadership and toxicological expertise to the Vapor Intrusion Workgroup and contribute to deliverables in progress.
  • Articulate broad public health/toxicological issues on behalf of Ecology and acts as a spokesperson when interacting with the public or other state agencies, such as the Washington State Department of Health.
 
Provide human health toxicological expertise for the creation and maintenance of human health guidance and other regulatory support materials including the CLARC tool.
  • Identify, obtain, and evaluate scientific and policy information necessary for cleanup level development.
  • Regularly review and update the CLARC spreadsheets, user guide, web site, and supporting materials based on the latest toxicity and other information.
  • Independently respond to comments or questions related to the content in the CLARC spreadsheets, user guide, web site, and supporting materials from Ecology staff and the general public.
  • Identify policy and legal issues related to CLARC for future discussion by program management.
  • As needed, support the MyEIM team on the use of cleanup levels in the re-write of that application. The Environmental Information Management (EIM) tool contains environmental monitoring data collected by our scientists and partners.
  • Raise issues of public health importance independently and on request to supervisor, Ecology management, and Ecology work groups such as the Cleanup Rule team and the stakeholder and tribal advisory group for the Cleanup Rule update. 
  • Provide toxicological human health expertise for the cleanup standards review and coordinate technical discussions related to this review with other toxicologists in TCP.
  • Represent TCP in agency-wide Chemical Action Plan development. 
  • Stay up to date on the latest science related to emerging contaminants such as Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
 
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be July 22, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before July 21, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 
Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

A Ph.D. in toxicology, reproductive and developmental biology, or in another health or ecological related science with a major emphasis in toxicology AND three years of toxicological experience.

OR

A Master's of Science degree in toxicology, reproductive and developmental biology, or in another health or ecological related science with a major emphasis in toxicology AND four years of experience as a toxicologist.
 
Desired Qualifications
 
  • Understanding of the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) Cleanup Rule, Chapter 173-340 WAC, and other relevant regulations in regards to human health risk assessment, including development of cleanup levels, identification of other applicable or relevant and appropriate standards (such as water quality standards), and application of dangerous and solid waste regulations.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify, obtain, and evaluate relevant scientific and policy information necessary for cleanup level development and to evaluate whether proposed cleanup levels meet the requirements of the Cleanup Rule.
  • Experience and understanding of the processes involved in site investigation and cleanup.
  • Experience developing guidance or policy deliverables.
  • At least three years of experience applying federal or state cleanup laws.

Why Work for Ecology?

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment.

A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:

Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information
 
Supplemental Information

Application Instructions

Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position.

Please include the following documents as attachments to your application:
  • A cover letter describing how your experience, skills, and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
  • A resume outlining your professional experience.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including "please see resume" may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on "Look for Jobs" and select Dept. of Ecology under the "Department" search list. Click "Apply Search."

Other Information

If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please e-mail Jeff Johnston at jeff.johnston@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Jeff to inquire about the status of your application.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.