TOXICOLOGIST

Salary Information:B22, $5,719.00 - $5900.00/MO.

State Classification:2661 – Toxicologist I

FLSA Status: Exempt

Posting Number:26-57375-1R

Location:Austin, College Station, Lubbock or Waco, TX,

Telework Option:TDA does not offer telework, and all employees are required to be physically present for work.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online via CAPPSApplicants applying in WIT must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the position. To complete the supplemental questions, go to CAPPS Recruit

WHO ARE WE

The Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Agriculture & Consumer Protection Division administers consumer protection programs which includes overseeing items like grocery store scales, egg quality, nursery products, licensing and training pesticide applicators, worker protection and registering pesticides for sale. TDA’s consumer protection efforts promote success, unity and prosperity for the people of Texas.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

TheToxicologistwillperformadvancedtoxicologyworkfortheAgricultureandConsumerProtection(ACP)DivisionoftheTexas Department of Agriculture. Work involves evaluating, analyzing and making sound recommendations based upon the presence of pesticides in soil, water and air to contribute to the prevention of unreasonable or adverse effects to human health from exposure to pesticides, and manage environmental projects. You will work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Evaluatechemicalexposureand toxicity;analyzeand interpret environmentaldataon pesticides in food,soil,water and air asit relatestofederalregulationsconcerningpesticideregistration,useanddisposal;andmakesoundrecommendationstoprevent unreasonable adverse effects to human health and the environment.

ProvidetechnicalassistanceforTexasDepartmentofAgriculture(TDA)employeesandotherstate,federalandprivatesources concerning the potential health effects of pesticides, especially advise management and the public on issues of food safety.

Developmultimediapesticideriskassessmentstrategiestoevaluateandcommunicatepotentialhazardstohumanhealth.

Perform in-depth scientific reviews and coordinate interagency health and pesticide monitoring projects.

Serveasanexpertonhumanhealthissues;conductcasereviewsandotherspecialprojects;andpreparereports,factsheetsand other documents on the nature and degree of health impact resulting from the use and/or misuse of pesticides.

Review interagency project contracts and contribute to the design of field studies to evaluate health risks of pesticides.

Remainabreastofnewtechnical,scientificandlegislativeinformationonallareasofpesticideissuesandriskassessment.

Maintain and update the pesticide database and perform research/review on health effects of pesticides used in Texas.

Assistinreviewingprecautionarypesticidelabelingandfarmworkersafetylawsandprocedures,ensuringtheuseof restrictions.

Serveasanexperttoxicologistandriskassessorinagency/courthearingsonthenatureanddegreeofhazardstohuman health, domesticanimalsandnon-targetorganismsresultingfromexposuretopesticidesandconsultingwithlegalstaff asappropriate.

Attendcommitteemeetingsandforumsonhumanhealth/environmentalissues,andmakepresentations,asrequired. Participate in pesticide inspector training and public outreach programs.

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION(The application must state how each of the following qualifications are met - resumes do not take the place of the required state of Texas application which must be completed in CAPPS or WIT.)

Ph.D., degree with specialization in pharmacology/toxicology and coursework in risk assessment principles, environmental or occupational health, pesticide and/or chemical regulation and policy.

Work experience comprehending and interpreting clinical findings and laboratory data to evaluate potential health hazards from exposure to pesticides.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledgeofthestandardprinciplesandmethodsoftoxicologyandchemicallaboratoryprocedures;ofconducting,analyzing, evaluating, interpreting and summarizing chemical toxicity research as evidenced by research publications; of various toxicological data requirements for product registration, toxicity study design, safety assessment evaluation, and field and laboratory procedures for toxicity testing.

Skillintheoperationoflaboratoryequipmentandintheuseofacomputerandapplicable software.

Ability to initiate, plan, develop, interpret, and conduct risk assessments and evaluations of toxicological information; to determinethehealth risks associated with public and environmentalexposuretotoxic substances;toprovideexpert testimony; to conduct surveys; to perform investigative research and studies; to analyze environmental samples; to prepare reports; to communicateeffectively,orallyandinwriting;andtoexercisesoundjudgmentanddiscretion;andtomaintainthehighestlevel of confidentiality.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Must be able to work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel, occasionally overnight. Occasionally involves field visits to make observations and monitor/collect data on pesticide use, disposal, etc. May involve travel (up to 20%*), occasionally overnight.

TELEWORK & WORK HOURS

The agency does not offer telework. TDA employees are required to be physically present for work

The agency’s core business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. TDA also provides limited customer service between 6:00-8:00 a.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m.

H-1B Visa Sponsorship

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

BENEFITS

The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:

üRetirement Plan

üPaid Group Health & Life Insurance for employees

üPaid Holidays

üPaid Vacation Leave

üPaid Sick Leave

üLongevity Pay

üDental

üVision

üDependent Optional Life Insurance

üVoluntary AD&D Insurance

üDependent Health & Life Insurance

üHealth & Dependent care flexible spending accounts

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted at the time of the interview.

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center, you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and selecting My Submissions.

*A valid government-issued driver’s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver’s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO):TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity.

Reasonable Accommodations: If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview or an HR representative at 512-463-7423. Whenever possible, please give the hiring or HR representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7454 for assistance.

Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor’s Office at MOS Natural ResourcesCodes.