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Water Quality Standards Toxicologist (Toxicologist 2)

Washington State Department of Ecology
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         Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen 
 The Department of Ecology is looking for a lead toxicologist in our Water Quality Program who will bring their excellent research and communications skills to work on high profile environmental regulations that protect Washington's Waters.
The Surface Water Quality Standards are developed under Federal Clean Water Act authority and are the basis for many of Washington's actions to protect and improve our waters. We are seeking candidates with experience applying toxicology principles to develop water quality standards that concur with the complex set of state and federal clean water laws.
Working with a talented team of water quality professionals, this position supports the nexus between toxicology and environmental policy to develop water quality regulations that work best for Washington State, our natural resources, and our residents.
This position is located in our Headquarters building in Lacey, WA.
As an agency, we invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages teamwork, innovation, excellence, respect and inclusion.
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
Agency Mission: The mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment, for current and future generations. 
Program Mission: The mission of the Water Quality Program is to protect and restore Washington's waters to support healthy watersheds and communities. Our work ensures state waters can support beneficial uses including recreational and business activities, supplies for clean drinking water, and the protection of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public health.
What does this position do?
  • Reviews and comments on a variety of documents related to toxics and water quality including legislative proposals, EPA regulation & guidance.
  • Serves as Water Quality Program's expert on the potential impacts of environmental contaminants on fish and other aquatic life, and to human health.
  • Assists other Ecology staff to implement other Clean Water Act programs such as discharge permits, pollution investigations, and determining conditions of our State waters.
  • Educates the public and Ecology staff on the principles of toxicology in relation to the protection the State's aquatic resources.
What does this position get to accomplish?
  • This position is responsible for revising the Surface Water Quality Standard for Washington State so that it includes better protections for aquatic life.
  • A major goal of this position is to develop water quality standards specific to Washington, which will include synthesizing national recommendations, emerging science, and regional aquatic resource information.
  • This position represents Ecology on complex issues concerning state and federal water quality rules (human health criteria) that protect consumers of fish and shellfish.
Interested in applying?
  • The successful candidate will be joining a small, yet highly productive and well-functioning team that develops state rules, and also provide important guidance to the agency and the public on ways we can protect state waters.
  • This position is a great opportunity for a toxicologist interested in regulatory protections of Washington's rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries and coasts.
  • Ecology's water quality standards team develops rules and policies through a thorough public process that often garners significant tribal, stakeholder, and public involvement. The successful candidate must be able to quickly assess a situation and make a decision and have the ability to communicate with a diverse audience that are often very passionate about the State's clean water programs.
This position will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be on December 23, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before December 22, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
Required Qualifications:
A Ph.D. degree in toxicology or in a health or ecological related science with a major emphasis in toxicology AND one year of toxicology experience.
OR
A Master's of Science degree in toxicology or in a health or ecological related science with a major emphasis in toxicology AND three years of experience as a toxicologist.
Desired Qualifications:
  • Knowledge and experience working with the Federal Clean Water Act regulations and programs.
  • Ability to interpret aquatic toxicology data in context of environmental health and aquatic life protection.
  • Ability to write technical scientific research results as well as summarize key scientific concepts for a public audience.
  • Experience authoring and preparing peer-reviewed journal articles for publication.
Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment
Must have a valid driver's license.
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 include the following documents as an attachment 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 do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile's resume text field.
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 at (360) 407-6186.
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 call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up on 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 email Chad Brown at: chad.brown@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Chad 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.