As a toxicologist within the Office of Environmental Public Health Sciences, you will support the Department of Health’s (DOH) mission to protect and improve the health of people in Washington State by assuring environmental public health programs and policies are based in sound science.

This position reports to the Senior Epidemiologist in the Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology Section and supports the Toxicology Program as a senior toxicologist. You will have the primary responsibility to manage an interagency agreement with the Department of Ecology for DOH support on chemical action plan development and implementation.

DOH’s role is to prioritize toxic chemicals to recommend for chemical action plan development, document the current science on exposures and/or health outcomes of concern, develop strategies to mitigate human health impacts, and manage the implementation of projects to prevent exposure to persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals, based on existing chemical action plan (CAP) recommendations.

The position supervises two staff, and is and is responsible for developing strategic plans, ensuring performance expectations and measures are met, and continually evaluating results to improve program performance.

Duties include:

• In collaboration with section toxicologists and staff at Ecology, prioritize toxic chemicals that are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic for CAP development.
• Evaluating and interpreting toxicological studies, data and other technical information on a broad array of environmental contaminants and exposure scenarios to determine the potential for adverse human health effects of exposure to environmental contaminants.
• Summarizing data in a scientifically defensible and technically accurate, clearly written summary for peer review.
• Communicating the toxicological data to advisory groups and other stakeholders.
• Identifying recommendations that can lead to legislative or regulatory action to protect human health from these toxic chemicals.
• Directing the DOH contribution of CAP development.
• Identifying and prioritizes CAP implementation projects.
• Participating in the office supervisory team.
• Participating in the measuring, reporting and continuous improvement of organizational performance.
• Representing the programs and agency to local, state and federal agencies, tribes, industry, academia, legislature, and the media.
• Supporting agency emergency response efforts as required.

What we’re looking for
Success in this position requires one to be a team player, defined as having a driving passion for the work, bringing humility to their job and people interactions, and understanding how their words and actions affect others.

Required Qualifications

Option 1: Master’s degree in toxicology, or a health or ecological related science (e.g., chemistry, environmental science) with a major emphasis in toxicology; and four (4) years of toxicology experience.

Option 2: Ph.D. degree in toxicology, or a health or ecological related science (e.g., chemistry, environmental science); and one (1) year of toxicology experience.

AND

• Intermediate level experience with spreadsheet and word processing software.
• Two (2) years of progressively responsible management experience.
• Experience successfully managing large, multifaceted projects.

Four (4) years of toxicology experience performing the following tasks:
• Evaluating the exposures and effects of toxic chemicals on health outcomes;
• Conducting exposure assessments including the design, implementation, and/or analysis of biomonitoring surveys;
• Developing and vetting policy initiatives related to toxicology;
• Communicating risk to a variety of audiences;
• Leading and/or collaborating with internal and external agency and academic partners to identify priority environmental public health toxicological issues;
• Evaluating toxicology research literature for relevance to emerging human health toxicology issues of public health concern facing the state;
• Articulating both in person and in writing, the agency’s policy and interests on human health toxicological issues to interagency workgroups and advisory committees, and the legislative or regulatory bodies at the state and federal level.

Desired Qualifications
Certified by the American Board of Toxicology

Application Process

Intrigued? We’d love to hear from you.  Click “Apply” to submit your detailed application profile along with the following:

1. A letter of interest, describing how you meet the specific required and desired qualifications for this position.
2. A current resume.
3. Three (3) or more professional references, to be included in your profile. Please include at least one supervisor, peer, and (if you have supervised staff) a subordinate.

Important Note: Do not attach documents that contain private information (social security number, date of birth, transcripts, etc.) or documents that are password protected. These documents will not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. Veterans, please feel free to attach a copy of your redacted DD214.”

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that is inclusive and respectful.  It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of our workforce.

Conditions of Employment/Working Conditions
With or without accommodation, I am willing and able to:

• Legally operate a state or privately owned vehicle or provide alternative transportation.
• Occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week and/or to adjust normally scheduled hours, which may include evening and weekends.
• Occasionally travel throughout the state (including rural areas) which may include overnight stays.

If you have questions, need alternative formats or other assistance please contact Zach Covington at (360) 236-2406, Zach.Covington@doh.wa.gov, or TDD Relay at 1-800-833-6384 or 711 (Washington Relay). Technical support is provided by neogov, 855-524-5627 (can’t log in, password or email issues, error messages).