Toxicology Specialist-2, Environmental Health

About the role

This position serves as a professional specialist who oversees the contaminant specialty area within the Toxicology and Assessment Section. This position provides toxicological expertise to federal, state, and local agencies on emerging and known contaminant topics affecting or potentially affecting human health.

Responsibilities

• Provide toxicological expertise to federal, state, and local agencies on emerging and known contaminant topics affecting or potentially affecting human health.
• Serve as a liaison with other governmental agencies, professional organizations, and Division and Bureau staff for the purpose of identifying and assessing emerging and known contaminants.
• Conduct complex analyses of risk assessment guidance and make independent determinations regarding emerging and known contaminant risks and human health exposures affecting the state – both imminent and long-term.
• Develop and monitor procedures, guidelines, and policies that make up the foundation of the Toxicology and Assessment Section’s health assessments at sites of contamination and guide the development of departmental policies and response protocols to ensure public health is protected.
• Maintain technical contact with other experts in his/her specialized areas as well as other appropriate experts from various scientific disciplines to assist in the assessment of emerging contaminants.
• Provide review and comment on toxicological, epidemiological, and chemical-physical data on emerging and known contaminants and provide the most technical and difficult scientific documentation for science-based recommendations to protect public health.
• Use the data and recommendations to develop appropriate risk assessment-related procedures and interact with other state and federal agencies in the development of the procedures.
• Interact with the public, local, state, and federal officials via meetings, telephone conversations, emails, and on-site visits, responding to public health concerns due to emerging contaminants and providing information to protect public health statewide.

Requirements

• Education: Possession of a master's degree in toxicology.
• Experience: Four years of professional experience equivalent to a Toxicologist, including two years equivalent to a Toxicologist P11 or one year equivalent to a Toxicologist 12.

Qualifications

• Education: Toxicology Specialist 13 - 14 Possession of a master’s degree in a physical, biological, or environmental science with 10 semester (15 term) credits in one or more of the following subject areas: toxicology, human or environmental risk assessment, pharmacology, pathology, environmental stress, mechanisms or modes of chemical action on living organisms; and an additional 10 semester credits (15 term) in any combination of the following: molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, anatomy, epidemiology, industrial hygiene, zoology, ecology, biology, limnology, environmental science, soil science, physiology, histology, statistics, and chemical fate and transport may be substituted for the education requirement.
• Alternate Education and Experience: Possession of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in toxicology; or, a PhD in a physical, biological, or environmental science with 10 semester (15 term) credits in a one or more subject areas including toxicology, human or environmental risk assessment, pharmacology, pathology, environmental stress, mechanisms or modes of chemical action on living organisms; and an additional 10 semester credits (15 term) in any combination of the following: molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, anatomy, epidemiology, industrial hygiene, zoology, ecology, biology, limnology, environmental science, soil science, physiology, histology, statistics, and chemical fate and transport may be substituted for two years of toxicologist experience equivalent to the 10 level.

Skills

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively. Proficiency in toxicology, risk assessment, and related fields is essential.

Benefits

MDHHS offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and opportunities for professional development.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $70,000 - $100,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Schedule

The position is full-time and works standard business hours. Remote work may be considered based on operational needs and within established limits.