Toxicologist (35 Hour)

Within the Environmental Health Section of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, this Toxicologist position will be responsible for conducting health risk assessments for chemical contaminants in the environment. The position will also be responsible for providing overall toxicological expertise to the department and to other agencies in Connecticut. This includes: evaluating the scientific literature on emerging contaminants, advising policy leaders on steps to be taken to reduce health risks, establishing action levels and cleanup criteria in all environmental media.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Sue Ciccaglione at Sue.Ciccaglione@ct.gov or at (860) 509-7183.

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.

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.

Considerable knowledge of principles of analytical chemistry and related analytical disciplines such as spectrophotometry and spectrography; knowledge of techniques of biochemical and toxicological analyses; knowledge of physical, physiological and pharmacological effects of poison and their absorption, storage and elimination; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable 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; some supervisory ability.

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

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

1. 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.
2. A Master's degree in pharmacology, toxicology or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
3. A Ph.D. degree in pharmacology or toxicology may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

• Experience in developing toxicity values (reference doses, cancer slopes, benchmark dose) based on technical reviews of toxicology and epidemiology literature. This includes identifying critical studies that will drive the toxicity values and identifying the strengths and weakness of those studies and any uncertainties in the studies or the literature overall.
• Experience in deriving health based criteria using standard and novel risk assessment techniques. This includes consideration of appropriate exposure assumptions/scenarios pertinent to the exposure pathway in question and unique exposures that may arise at particular sites where contamination is found. This also includes consideration of sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and those with underlying disease.
• Experience in using advanced modeling techniques to estimate exposure and risk. Such techniques include: pharmacokinetic modeling, the Integrated Exposure, Uptake and Biokinetc (IEUBK) model for lead, Monte Carlo analysis and sensitivity analysis.
• Experience in communicating complex scientific concepts and results of risk assessments in a manner that is understandable to the public and other audiences. Experience writing clearly, both in scientific documents/publications and for lay audiences. Experience in speaking at a number of venues including: public meetings, scientific meetings, legislative hearings, and briefing senior policy makers. (Those invited to interview may be asked to provide a writing sample.)
• Experience in evaluation of public policy relative to environmental risk and proposing proactive interventions to decrease risk. Experience in responding to proposed legislation and regulations both at the state and national level.
• Experience in keeping abreast of the latest scientific literature in order to identify emerging chemicals that may warrant action by public health and environmental agencies.

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

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

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Department of Public Health aims to provide equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and advancement, fostering an environment committed to supporting individuals in all protected classes. If you require an aid/accommodation to participate fully and fairly, please contact the Human Resources Office at (860) 509-7177.