State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Toxicologist (35 Hour) (8801HC)

$52.98-$71.77 Hourly / $3,708.40-$5,023.26 BiWeekly /
$96,789.00-$131,107.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Public Health, Public Health Laboratory and Environmental Epidemiology and Occupational Health Division this class is accountable for performing complex toxicological analyses and assisting in the technical and administrative activities of the section.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the limited supervision of the Director of Toxicology and Criminology, Director of Environmental Epidemiology and Occupational Health or other employee of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Leads Chemists or Epidemiologists and other personnel as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY:
  • Performs a variety of complex tests on autopsy specimens for organic and inorganic poisons, identification of suspected poisonous substances, analysis of body fluids for alcoholic content, identification of blood and seminal stains, comparison of hairs and fibers and analysis of trace evidence;
  • Confers with pathologists and medical examiners with regard to evaluation and interpretation of laboratory findings;
  • Appears as an expert witness in court cases;
  • Assists in planning, organization and supervision of activities in toxicology laboratory;
  • Conducts research and develops new analytical procedures;
  • Manages integrity of chain of evidence in laboratory;
  • Assigns duties and reviews results for accuracy, effectiveness and conformance with approved methodology and procedures;
  • May assist in development of section budget;
  • Performs related duties as required.
ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION:
  • Performs a variety of complex toxicological tests for purposes of identifying and assessing potentially hazardous chemical compounds in air, water and industrial environments;
  • Produces a standardized primary risk assessment model to prioritize chemical compounds for Air Toxics Program and exposure to multiple chemical compounds;
  • Evaluates and interprets research and laboratory findings involving tonics;
  • Appears as an expert witness in court cases;
  • Provides consultation to local, state and federal agencies and business community;
  • Assists in planning, organization and supervision of activities;
  • Assigns duties and reviews results for accuracy, effectiveness and conformance with approved methodology and procedures;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of principles of analytical chemistry and related analytical disciplines such as spectrophotometry and spectrography;
  • Knowledge of
    • techniques of biochemical and toxicological analyses;
    • physical, physiological and pharmacological effects of poison and their absorption, storage and elimination;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Skill in abstracting scientific literature;
  • Ability to summarize and present results of laboratory tests in concise form and interpret their meaning in lay language for legal purposes;
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of experience in analytical chemistry or a related area.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have involved toxicological analyses at the level of Principal Chemist (Toxicology).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training in chemistry or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  • A Master's degree in pharmacology, toxicology or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
  • A Ph.D. degree in pharmacology or toxicology may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable diseases as necessary.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to communicable diseases and hazardous substances.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(17)-Laboratory/Scientific Services

BARGAINING UNIT

(11)-HEALTH PROF (P-1)

EEO

(2)-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

HC 32

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Toxicologist in Salary Group HC 32 approved effective May 02, 1997. (Reviewed for content and revised to modernize format and add an Acknowledgement section) Final No. 23-291

EFFECTIVE DATE

11/08/2023
CLASS: 8801HC; REV: 11/8/2023;