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 Toxicologist 2 position. The position will be located in our Northwest Regional Office (NWRO) in Bellevue, WA.

This position serves as a senior program expert on general risk assessment methods in the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) Cleanup Regulation and Sediment Management Standards (SMS). This position gives you an opportunity to work on a variety of diverse projects statewide and gives you exposure to a broad spectrum of different cleanup sites throughout the section. The key responsibilities include: (1) Independently preparing or evaluating human health and ecological risk assessments and cleanup level determinations for individual sediment and upland cleanup sites. (2) Providing technical support and training for Ecology site managers and external parties; and (3) independently reviewing new scientific information and providing recommendations for site cleanups and updating rules and guidance.

We are looking for applicants who are professional, have strong communication and people skills, are confident in their abilities, and possess strong technical skills.

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. Maybe you’ve seen some of our recent stories on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecy.wa.gov.

Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts

Upland and sediment cleanup sites may significantly impact the health of communities that reside on or are adjacent to these sites. The person in this position independently prepares or evaluates human health and ecological risk assessments and cleanup level determinations for individual upland and sediment cleanup sites.

Tasks include:

• Provides scientific and technical support on sediment and upland issues as well as works as a site manager on assigned sites to ensure they achieve cleanup goals.
• Performs research and analyzes scientific data regarding sediment cleanup levels for sites based upon site specific information. In many cases there is limited precedent and the data will need to be derived from scientific studies and independent research or the review of independent research.
• Employs applied toxicology and risk assessment experience to evaluate risk assessment workplans and reports for individual cleanup sites and scientific and technical support on complex in-water sediment sites.
• Provides technical assistance to Ecology site managers and lower level toxicologists to ensure that evaluation results are clearly and effectively communicated to liable parties, stakeholder groups and Ecology staff and managers.
• Independently reviews new scientific information and provides recommendations for resolving major science policy issues.

Tasks include:

• Gathers and evaluates sample data; formulates and justifies conclusions and recommendations; writes reports on scientific and technical topics.
• Independently conducts research or assessments to support resolution of major/non-routine toxicological issues associated with risk assessment requirements in the MTCA and SMS rules.
• Represents the program on cross-program and multi-agency work groups dealing with toxicological issues relevant to the MTCA and SMS rules.
• Provides technical support and training for Ecology site managers, consultants and other agencies on MTCA and SMS risk assessment topics and manage cleanup sites as assigned.

Tasks include:

• Provides assistance and mentoring concerning scientific and technical topics to other members of the unit/section/program.
• Conducts training and lectures for site managers, peers and consultants.

This position is open until filled, with an initial screening on September 23, 2015. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before September 22, 2015. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

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:

• Experience and expertise evaluating human health risks associated with hazardous substances in upland and aquatic environments.
• Experience and expertise in preparing statistical evaluations of environmental data.
• Experience working with state and/or federal cleanup sites.
• Experience working on sediment cleanup issues.
• Working knowledge of the Model Toxics Control Act Cleanup Regulation and the Sediment Management Standards.
• Experience providing training on scientific and regulatory issues.

For immediate consideration, please apply online at: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=1237519