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ChemAction Toxicologist (Toxicologist 2)

Washington State Department of Ecology
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Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

 

The Hazardous Waste Toxics Reduction program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a ChemAction Toxicologist (Toxicologist 2) position. 

This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
This position is located in our Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA.
This position is located in our Central Region Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.
This position is located in our Eastern Region Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA.

Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Please Note: If the final location of this position is determined to be in our Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA. there will be an additional 5% pay increase due to its location in King County. In this instance the salary range will be $6,703 - $9,013 per month. 

Are you a toxicologist with an interest in helping people and the environment? Join us in our mission by taking action on the most toxic chemicals impacting human health and the environment, reducing toxics use in products, and promoting safer chemical alternatives.

This position serves as the toxicology technical expert responsible for assisting with the development and implementation of Chemical Action Plans (CAPs), legislative report development, rule making, and consumer product law implementation.
 
 You would use your expertise in this position to evaluate research studies and other technical information related to experimental and regulatory toxicology, human clinical toxicology, toxicokinetics, ecotoxicology, and environmental fate and transport to determine potential adverse health and ecological effects of exposure to toxic chemicals.

Please note: The anticipated start date for the successful candidate would be December 1st, 2024.

Agency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve and enhance the environment for current and future generations.   

Program Mission: The mission of the HWTR Program is to protect Washington’s residents and environment by reducing the use of toxic chemicals, safely managing dangerous waste, preventing new contaminated sites, and cleaning up contamination. The HWTR vision is to be national leaders in minimizing and eliminating the impacts of toxic chemicals and hazardous waste.    

Tele-work options for this position: This position will have flexibility of a hybrid schedule, empowering work from home and office, providing less time in traffic and shrinking your carbon footprint. This position will be eligible for up to a 90% tele-work schedule. Applicants with questions about position location options, tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled; we will review applications on August 23, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before August 22, 2024. If your application isn't received by this date, it may not be considered. The agency reserves the right to make a Hire any time after the initial screening date. 


Please Note: We will review all applications received before the date above. Additional reviews after this date typically only occur if we have a small applicant pool, or if a successful Hire was not made.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information 
 

 

About the Department of Ecology

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people. To learn more, check out our Strategic Plan. 
 

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

  • A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
  • An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
  • Continuous growth and development opportunities.
  • Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

Our commitment to DEIR
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

 

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

 
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued. 

 

Duties

 

 

 

What makes this role unique? 
This position serves as the toxicology technical expert supporting development[LJ(1]  and implementation of Chemical Action Plans (CAPs), legislative report development, rule making, and consumer product law implementation through identification of potential health and environmental effects of toxic chemicals and recommend strategies to reduce or eliminate those impacts.
 
Part of the work of this position is to support two of our high priority projects: the 6PPD Action Plan and implementation of the Toxic Free Cosmetic Act.

6PPD
6PPD stands for the chemical N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine. It's a chemical that prevents automotive tires from degrading (i.e., breaking down) and helps them last longer. When 6PPD is exposed to air, it reacts with ozone to create 6PPD-quinone (also known as 6PPD-q). 6PPD-quinone is lethal to coho salmon and can contaminate water systems.

Toxic Free Cosmetic Act 
In 2023, Washington Legislature passed the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (TFCA) (Chapter 70A.560 RCW) to improve cosmetic and personal care product safety and protect Washington’s residents and environment from toxic chemicals.
TFCA restricts the manufacture, distribution, and sale of cosmetic products that contain certain toxic chemicals within Washington. It also directs us to:

  • Evaluate the hazards of chemicals with the same function as restricted chemicals that may be safer.
  • Provide technical support to small businesses that make or use cosmetic products.
  • Identify and then conduct a rulemaking to restrict chemicals that release formaldehyde.


What you will do: 

  • Conduct objective, science-based research on toxic chemicals and metals of concern impacting human health and the environment using the best science available.
  • Research, interpret data and share toxicological information about potentially hazardous substances in the environment.
  • Review toxicological studies and interpret toxicology data to support applicable state laws.
  • Work with agency toxicologists, the Department of Health (DoH) and other local, state and federal agencies to collaborate on toxicology related actions.
  • Support, as a technical lead, the development of Chemical Action Plans.
  • Be responsible for assuring that assessment results are communicated clearly, adequately, and accurately to management, other agencies, the public, Tribes, and the press.
  • Participate on agency rulemaking projects, interim policies or regulatory guidance projects or publications.


 

 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are:

 

  • 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
  • 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

A total of nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:

Experience: Toxicological experience
Education in: Toxicology or in a health or ecological-related science with a major emphasis in toxicology.

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:

 

Possible Combinations: College credits or degree - as listed above: Years of required experience - as listed above.

Combination 1; No college credits or degree; 9 years of experience

Combination 2; 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits; 8 years of experience

Combination 3; 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (AA degree); 7 years of experience

Combination 4; 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits; 6 years of experience

Combination 5; A Bachelor's Degree; 5 years of experience

Combination 6; A Master's Degree; 3 years of experience

Combination 7; A PhD; 2 years of experience



Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

 

  • Experience with toxicology tools, models, and chemical database systems (e.g. EPA ToxCast).
  • Experience in one or more of the following disciplines: human health toxicology, ecological toxicology, hazard assessments, alternatives assessments or green chemistry.
  • Experience in communicating complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.
 

 

 

Supplemental Information


Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.


Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

 

  • Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
  • If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
  • If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.  

Application Instructions:

It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

 

  • A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
  • A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.  
 
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (such as Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

 

  • Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc.
  • Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded.

 

Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees:

 
Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

Application Attestation: 

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed. 

Other Information:

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Nathan at: Nathan.Lubliner@ecy.wa.gov  Please do not contact Nathan to inquire about the status of your application.
 
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

 

Why work for Ecology?

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.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.


Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.   

 

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.


Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.