Toxicologist
Title: Toxicologist
$50,960 - $84,739 / Exempt
Location: Lansing, MI
Purpose: The toxicologist is responsible for evaluating environmental data collected at sites of chemical contamination. The toxicologist works in cooperation with other federal, state, and local health and regulatory agencies. The person in this position interacts with the public, local officials, and legislators via meetings, telephone conversations, emails, and field visits, responding to community health concerns and providing information to protect public health. The incumbent is responsible for evaluating environmental, demographic, and health outcome data from chemically contaminated sites, determining whether a public health hazard exists, and documenting the findings in Health Consultations, Public Health Assessments, or other reports.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Conduct public health assessments of contaminated sites in accordance with accepted risk assessment protocols and federal Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) guidance.
- Evaluate environmental and health outcome data from sites of chemical contamination and provides recommendations protective of public health.
- Document data and recommendations in Health Consultation, Public Health Assessments, or other reports.
- Evaluate environmental sampling data to identify the human exposure potential and make public health determinations.
- Document public health recommendations and supporting data in health consultations and assessments.
- Advise the U.S. EPA, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), and other regulatory agencies on samplings, designs and strategies to ensure data are sufficient to assess human health risks.
- Advise the U.S. EPA, the EGLE, and other regulatory agencies on actions to protect public health during responses to immediate health concerns from chemical exposures.
- Document work time spent on different projects and activities.
- Consult with senior toxicologists.
- Provide technical information about contaminated sites and the health assessment process to interested parties.
- Discuss chemical exposure concerns with and answers questions from the public on the DEH hotlines, via email, the website, and at public meetings.
- Collaborate with DEH Health Educators and partnering agencies to develop fact sheets and other non‐technical reports on sites of environmental contamination for affected communities, local health care providers, and local responders.
- Determine need and collaborate with DEH Health Educators to develop fact sheets for general toxicological and public health issues.
- Maintain/expand knowledge of developments in the area of environmental toxicology, epidemiology, and risk communication.
- Participate in the Michigan multi-agency Toxics Steering Group (TSG), discussing current issues in toxicology and making recommendations to the EGLE.
- Participate in TSG subcommittees formed to address toxicological issues of importance to regulatory programs and/or public health, as assigned.
- Participate in ATSDR and EPA‐hosted national and regional workshop meetings and participate in panels and presentations to share knowledge and experience, as assigned.
- Maintain working knowledge of the development and use of state and federal environmental regulatory criteria.
- Review scientific literature on chemicals of interest.
- Attend training sessions to increase knowledge of statistical, regulatory, research, and community involvement processes.
- Attend and participate in local, state, and national meetings, conferences, and seminars on related technical topics and issues.
- Always represent the best interests of MDHHS and MPHI.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications/Requirements:
Education: Possession of a master’s degree in toxicology or master’s degree in a physical, biological, environmental science with 10 semester (15 term) credits in toxicology, 14 semester (20 term) credits in chemistry (including inorganic, organic, organic and biochemistry), and 24 semester (35 term) credits in combination of the following: physiology, histology, pathology, statistics, environmental science, microbiology, physical or environmental chemistry (in addition to the above indicated 14 semester credits); anatomy, pharmacology, epidemiology, industrial hygiene toxicology (in addition to the above indicated 10 semester credits); or vertebrate biology or zoology.
Experience: No experience required. Two (2) years of experience required for assessing and controlling the impact of toxic substances on human health and environment, preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Important Skills and Characteristics:
- Knowledge of the general principles, practices and procedures of toxicology, biology, and chemistry.
- Knowledge of the relationships between the toxicological, physical, and chemical properties of chemicals.
- Knowledge of basic toxicology concepts and terms.
- Ability to convey technical information to the lay public through written and oral communication.
- Ability to maintain records and document reports in accordance with departmental guidance.
- Ability to prioritize and concurrently assess multiple sites.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements: Standard office environment and physical requirements typical of an office position. The only physical effort required in this position would be the carrying of a mercury vapor analyzer machine, less than 10 pounds in weight, if the toxicologist attends to a mercury spill event. The employee may attend one of these calls several times per year. The employee may be exposed to unpleasant and noxious fumes and odors when conducting site visits. These sites are usually outside, and the employee would be exposed to local weather conditions. Site visits may occur up to two to three times a month. Requires valid vehicle operator’s license and may include occasional travel within the State, including overnights. Less occasionally, travel may be required outside the State.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS: No assigned responsibility.
IMPACT ON PROJECTS, SERVICES AND OPERATIONS: This position supports activities that are important functions of the Division of Environmental Health. The results of these activities will help assure that Michigan communities are protected from the hazards of vapor intrusion, non‐biological substances in groundwater, and other chemical hazards in the environment. This position will provide support to key professional staff with duties related to this activity and will support other similar activities within DHHS. This position interacts with the public, local health departments and other State of Michigan agencies via meetings, telephone conversations, and field visits.
REQUIRED COMMUNICATION
Contact Person/Group Frequency Purpose
Unit Manager Daily to Weekly Position Oversight. Communicate on assigned
projects and standard procedures.
Toxicology and Assessment
Section Manager Daily to Weekly Communicate on assigned projects and
standard procedures.
DEH Professional Staff Daily Communicate on shared projects and standard
procedures.
“For purposes of employment standards, this classification is “Exempt” from overtime provisions of the fair Labor Standards Act.”
“MPHI is an EEO/AA Employer that participates with e-verify.”