Toxicologist - Augusta, United States - State of Maine

State of Maine

Verified Company

Augusta, United States

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Mark Lane

beBee recruiter

Description

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS):

Opening Date:

May 14, 2024:

Closing Date:

May 28, 2024:

Job Class Code:4363**
Grade:04-26 (Pro/Tech)**
Salary:$57, $77,812.80/ yr. **-
Includes a 5.5% stipend:
Position Number:

Limited Period Position:

Position Location:
This is a full-time position located in Augusta. This opportunity allows partial telework with management approval.**:

This position offers you the chance to join a highly skilled team and conduct fast-paced, exciting work on an important environmental health topic.

You will have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of everyday Mainers while gaining real-world skills in an emerging area of the field.

Join Maine CDC's team of environmental toxicologists and epidemiologists and serve the people of Maine as a key player in Maine's efforts to understand and respond to the emerging class of contaminants called per
- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are increasingly being found in soils, groundwater, surface water, crops, livestock, fish, and wildlife. Our team is involved in studies of the uptake of PFAS from soil into crops and crops into livestock. We are studying water related exposure pathways for home gardening and raising of farm animals, as well as the uptake and accumulation of PFAS from water into fish. We are also designing and will be implementing a study to assess farm worker exposure to PFAS from soil-related pathways. The Toxicology and Environmental Epidemiology Program is the primary state agency for the development of screening levels and action levels for PFAS in various environmental media and are actively developing and validating novel agronomic exposure models to support the development of soil screening levels for farmland and to assist farmers with land management decisions. As a toxicologist in the Toxicology and Environmental Epidemiology Program, you will be responsible for assisting with the design and conduct of such studies as well as the development of screening levels and action levels for novel agriculture exposure scenarios. You will assess and respond to new data on environmental PFAS contamination and respond to inquiries from the public. In this job, you will become an expert on the toxicology literature on PFAS and exposure and risk assessment models used to develop health-based screening levels, action levels, and standards.

You will also:

Review animal toxicology studies of PFAS to identify major health outcomes of interest and their exposure response relationship.
Review and summarize toxicity values for health risk assessment that have been developed by other federal agencies and States.
Use environmental risk assessment models to develop soil screening levels and guidelines and standards for other environmental media.
Assist with report and scientific paper preparation, as well as rulemaking for drinking water standards.
Answers questions from the public about potential health effects from the presence of environmental toxicants in water, soil, food, and air.
Attend relevant meetings, work sessions, and conferences as well as present materials as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Master's Degree in Toxicology, Environmental Health, or closely related field -OR- Bachelor's Degree in Toxicology, Environmental Health, or closely related field and 2 years professional experience in Toxicology or Environmental Health.

Equivalent related experience may be substituted for educational requirements.

Excellent oral and written communication skills
Knowledge and experience with toxicology principles and practices relevant to human health risk assessment
Knowledge and experience analyzing biomonitoring data, preferable related to PFAS exposures
Knowledge and experience with undertaking an exposure assessment study
Data compilation and statistical analyses
Strong computer skills, including MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint
The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of internal and external partners
Formal training / experience in toxicology and risk assessment as it applies to evaluating the hazards of exposure to chemicals in the environment

A Master's or Doctorate in toxicology, environmental health, or environmental epidemiology with training in toxicology is
_strongly preferred._

_ Thinking about applying?_

Agency information:

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people.

The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders.

The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

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