Senior Regulatory Toxicologist (Toxicologist 3)

The Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction (HWTR) Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Senior Regulatory Toxicologist position. This position is located in our Headquarters Building (HQ) in Lacey, WA.

This position serves as a senior regulatory toxicologist working to identify the most problematic chemicals impacting Washington State. Our work is focused on evaluating emerging toxicological and scientific research to help prioritize and take action on chemicals of concern. Your efforts will help create new policies and regulatory actions designed to eliminate or replace toxic chemicals of concern with safer alternatives. As a team member, your role is to coordinate our chemicals prioritization efforts and to help communicate the agency science policy related to chemicals. 

We are looking for candidates who are comfortable with science-based toxicological research, and have the ability to communicate effectively with other scientists, as well as at a level that policymakers and the public can understand.  

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. Maybe you've seen some of our recent stories on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov.

The Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction (HWTR) Program is made up of people dedicated to fostering sustainability, preventing pollution, and promoting safe waste management. We do many different things in a coordinated approach to protect the people and environment of Washington from pollution from dangerous waste and products.

This position serves the senior regulatory and policy toxicologist for the HWTR Program, advising the program manager and HWTR Program Management Team on the most problematic chemicals impacting Washington's residents and environment, including policies and programs to reduce toxic threats posed by widespread use of toxic chemicals in commerce. The outcome is reduced public health or environmental threats caused by ongoing uses and releases of these chemicals.

Evaluate existing and emerging toxicological information and scientific research on toxic chemicals of concern to identify chemicals or chemical groups to add to the lists under WAC 173-333 and WAC 173-334-130.

This chemical prioritization effort will be used to inform product testing and chemical action plan (CAP) development. This position will peer review product testing studies and legislative reports for scientific accuracy and provide toxicological evaluation and consultation on Quality Assurance Project Plans, including product testing, corrective action, or other regulatory needs.

This position will assist the program manager during each legislative session to identify ecological and human health risks and policy implications, and conduct special projects and assignments, as needed.

Chemicals prioritization is an important science-based strategy to focus our work at Ecology given the significant numbers of chemicals used in everyday products. One of our key challenges is to establish a framework for identifying candidate chemicals of concern for prioritization, including up to 20 chemicals or classes of chemicals of concern by June 2019. This prioritization work will be used as the foundation for developing chemical action plans, conducting compliance with Washington's laws, designing product testing studies, and creating new laws or policies.

 

Another challenging aspect of this position is the need to translate complex toxicological information and data into general terms for science-based policy presentations, legislative testimony, or educational outreach on state and national toxicological priorities. 

This is a great opportunity to bring objective, science-based toxics research and science policy issues together using the best available science to make a significant impact on human health and the environment.

 

The ideal candidate will evaluate toxicological information and have the ability to impact the states policies and programs that reduce toxic threats caused by ongoing uses and releases of the most problematic chemicals impacting Washington State. 

 

This work will also support efforts to protect the iconic Orca whales that are threatened for extinction. One of the key recommendations of the Southern Resident Killer Whales Task Force is to identify and prioritize chemicals of concern and take actions to reduce the toxics burden.

The team is made up of collaborative problem solvers who have a passion for finding innovative solutions to advance safer chemical alternatives. Our group includes chemists, environmental specialists, regulatory analysts, planners and managers that work across disciplines to produce amazing results. Ecology's programs are recognized as global leaders in the field of green chemistry, alternatives assessment, product testing and innovative chemicals policies.  

A Ph.D. in toxicology, reproductive and developmental biology, or in another health or ecological related science with a major emphasis in toxicology AND three years of toxicological experience.

A Master's of Science degree in toxicology, reproductive and developmental biology, or in another health or ecological related science with a major emphasis in toxicology AND four years of experience as a toxicologist.

 

 

Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid driver's license