Deadline: 8/3/17

These positions are located at the Department of Health Services (DHS); Division of Public Health (DPH); Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health (BEOH), in Madison, WI. For more information about DPH, visit our website at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dph/index.htm

Benefits include a top rated health plan and the ability to participate in one of the best retirement plans offered in public service. We offer a team-orientated atmosphere and a focus on work-life balance. Additional benefits include paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick and personal time), and multiple insurance options. For more information about insurance, visit: http://etf.wi.gov/careers/benefits.htm

DHS’ Central Office (1 West Wilson Street) is in the heart of downtown Madison on the shore of Lake Monona. A five minute walk in any direction from the office will place you on the lawn of the State Capitol, at a Madison Metro bus stop, or even on the extensive biker/runner friendly Capital City bike path system. Enjoy working in a 430,000 sq. ft. historic building located along Lake Monona. For more information about DHS, visit our website at http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/.

Position Summary:   

Toxicologist –  Health Assessor (2 Positions)

These positions are responsible for protecting people in Wisconsin from unsafe exposures to environmental hazards and toxic substances in the environment. Common sources of these hazards include hazardous waste sites, chemical releases, and natural disasters, among other sources. Duties of these positions include:

 

• Investigating and assessing the potential for adverse health effects that may result from exposure to environmental hazards, and formulating recommendations for the reduction or prevention of unsafe exposures.

 

• Serving as a technical resource both internally to DHS and externally to other local, state and federal partner agencies, as well as the general public, responding to and addressing concerns and environmental hazards in their communities and jurisdictions.

 

• Assisting with the development of statewide policy to address environmental contamination issues impacting or with the potential to impact public health.

 

 

 

Toxicologist – Groundwater & Drinking Water 

This position serves as the groundwater and drinking water toxicologist for the Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health (BEOH), Division of Public Health (DPH). The incumbent will provide expertise in the field of toxicology and environmental health to provide programmatic, scientific and technical leadership on contaminants in groundwater and drinking water for BEOH staff. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that Wisconsin citizens are protected from unsafe exposures to toxic substances in the environment due to hazardous waste sites, chemical emergencies, natural disasters, and environmental incidents of public health significance. Duties of the position include:

 

• Serving as the lead for the DPH Groundwater Standards Development Program.

 

• Serving as the DPH lead for developing health-based recommendations on Wisconsin groundwater protection standards and health advisories for contaminants found in drinking water.

 

• Providing toxicological knowledge and leadership on water-related environmental health issues for DHS/DPH, as well as local, state, and federal partners.

 

• Conducting human health risk assessment activities to identify and assess contaminants of concern, identify affected environmental media, evaluate potential and completed exposure pathways, estimate exposure doses, and characterize potential or actual human health hazards and recommend actions that prevent or reduce human exposure.

 

• Conducting toxicological surveillance activities relating to health outcomes and chemical exposures.

 

• Conducting effective risk communication to address community environmental health concerns for high profile and controversial hazardous waste sites and chemical spills and emergencies.

 

 

 

Special Notes:   

Due to the nature of these positions, all applicants will be required to allow the Department of Health Services to conduct a background check to determine whether the circumstances of any convictions may be related to the job being filled.

Qualifications:   

Minimally qualified candidates will have:

 

• A doctoral degree in toxicology, pharmacology or another closely related field -OR- a masters-level degree in toxicology, pharmacology, or another closely related field and 4 years of relevant work experience.

 

• Knowledge of and experience applying the principles and practices of toxicology, human health risk assessment, and chemical fate and transport in the environment.

 

• Experience communicating technical information to diverse audiences.

 

• Experience working collaboratively on projects with diverse stakeholders.

 

 

 

In addition, well-qualified candidates will also have:

 

• Experience conducting risk assessments to identify and characterize health hazards.

 

• Experience developing risk-based health standards or exposure advisories.

 

• Experience managing or coordinating a public health program, including grants administration and project management.

 

 

View the full job description and apply online here.