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State of Washington Classified Job Specification

TOXICOLOGIST 3

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TOXICOLOGIST 3
Class Code: 303G
Category: Health Care


Definition

Evaluates research studies and other technical information related to experimental and regulatory toxicology, toxicokinetics, environmental fate, and environmental transport to determine potential adverse health and/or ecological effects of exposure to environmental chemicals.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Toxicologist 3 is distinguished from the Toxicologist 2 by serving as a senior toxicologist as designated by management. Provides technical assistance to lower level toxicologists on public health issues which are non-routine or which are based on inconclusive data. Represents the office to multi-agency taskforces, legislative hearing, public interest groups, and the press. Evaluates toxicology research literature for relevance to program needs.

Typical Work

Employs applied toxicology and public health experience to address broad health impact issues resulting from human exposure to environmental contaminants, knows agency mission, policies and legal contexts of DOH, and those agencies with which DOH interacts; has knowledge of state and federal laws that impact DOH and applies them to public health issues;

Raises issues of public health import independently and as spokesperson for toxicology group as requested, to supervisor and to DOH management;

Articulates broad public health/toxicological issues on behalf of the Office and DOH and acts as spokesperson in interaction with other offices, agencies the public and the press;

Routinely prepares training materials on toxicological and public health topics, conducts workshops and seminars or lectures for peers, local public health departments, other agencies and the public;

Actively articulates Office and DOH interests to advisory committees, interagency meetings and workgroups, and legislative bodies at county, state and federal level;

Serves as on-call spokesperson for public health issues for Office and DOH routinely and in exigency response situations;

Routinely provides technical leadership and oversight to team efforts involving complex public health/toxicological assessments.

Conducts independently or is principal toxicologist for assessments involving development of major science policy;

May serve as expert witness and provide testimony for Office/DOH or sister agency public health/toxicological concerns;

Writes peer-reviewed journal articles with peers and solely on results of assessments;

Performs other work as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: toxicology information and research methodology, regulatory issues, risk assessment techniques, risk community strategies, state laws, regulations, and policies.

Ability to: initiate, design, and conduct major toxicology research studies; independently interpret toxicology data in context of environmental health needs; perform complex health risk assessments; exercise professional judgment in non-routine situations; interact with the toxicology professional community, the public, and the press effectively; direct the activities of technical staff.

Legal Requirement(s)

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Desirable Qualifications

A Ph.D. degree in toxicology or in a 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 or in a health or ecological related science with a major emphasis in toxicology and four years of experience as a toxicologist.

Class Specification History

New class: 11-12-93
Updated Typical Work: 4-11-97
New class code, formerly 53450, effective July 1, 2007.