Toxicologist

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Opening Date: May 14, 2024

Closing Date: May 28, 2024

Job Class Code: 4363
Grade:   04-26  (Pro/Tech)
Salary: $57,616.00 - $77,812.80/ yr.  *
*Includes a 5.5% stipend

Position Number:  2031-2550    Limited Period Position

Position Location: This is a full-time position located in Augusta. This opportunity allows partial telework with management approval.

This position offers you the chance to join a highly skilled team and conduct fast-paced, exciting work on an important environmental health topic. You will have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of everyday Mainers while gaining real-world skills in an emerging area of the field.

Join Maine CDC’s team of environmental toxicologists and epidemiologists and serve the people of Maine as a key player in Maine’s efforts to understand and respond to the emerging class of contaminants called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are increasingly being found in soils, groundwater, surface water, crops, livestock, fish, and wildlife. Our team is involved in studies of the uptake of PFAS from soil into crops and crops into livestock. We are studying water related exposure pathways for home gardening and raising of farm animals, as well as the uptake and accumulation of PFAS from water into fish. We are also designing and will be implementing a study to assess farm worker exposure to PFAS from soil-related pathways. The Toxicology and Environmental Epidemiology Program is the primary state agency for the development of screening levels and action levels for PFAS in various environmental media and are actively developing and validating novel agronomic exposure models to support the development of soil screening levels for farmland and to assist farmers with land management decisions. As a toxicologist in the Toxicology and Environmental Epidemiology Program, you will be responsible for assisting with the design and conduct of such studies as well as the development of screening levels and action levels for novel agriculture exposure scenarios. You will assess and respond to new data on environmental PFAS contamination and respond to inquiries from the public. In this job, you will become an expert on the toxicology literature on PFAS and exposure and risk assessment models used to develop health-based screening levels, action levels, and standards.  

You will also:
•    Review animal toxicology studies of PFAS to identify major health outcomes of interest and their exposure response relationship.
•    Review and summarize toxicity values for health risk assessment that have been developed by other federal agencies and States. 
•    Use environmental risk assessment models to develop soil screening levels and guidelines and standards for other environmental media.
•    Assist with report and scientific paper preparation, as well as rule-making for drinking water standards.
•    Answers questions from the public about potential health effects from the presence of environmental toxicants in water, soil, food, and air. 
•    Attend relevant meetings, work sessions, and conferences as well as present materials as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Master’s Degree in Toxicology, Environmental Health, or closely related field -OR- Bachelor’s Degree in Toxicology, Environmental Health, or closely related field and 2 years professional experience in Toxicology or Environmental Health.  Equivalent related experience may be substituted for educational requirements.

Preferred candidates will also have:
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills
•    Knowledge and experience with toxicology principles and practices relevant to human health risk assessment
•    Knowledge and experience analyzing biomonitoring data, preferable related to PFAS exposures
•    Knowledge and experience with undertaking an exposure assessment study
•    Data compilation and statistical analyses
•    Strong computer skills, including MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint
•    Knowledge of and experience with statistical software applications such as SAS, Stata, or R  
•    The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of internal and external partners
•    Formal training / experience in toxicology and risk assessment as it applies to evaluating the hazards of exposure to chemicals in the environment

A Master's or Doctorate in toxicology, environmental health, or environmental epidemiology with training in toxicology is strongly preferred.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

Agency information: 

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

The mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), within which this position is located, is to develop and deliver services to preserve, protect, and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine.

For additional information about this position please contact Dr. Andrew Smith, State Toxicologist at 207-287-5189 or andy.e.smith@maine.gov .  

*To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter with your application. 

 Please submit all documents or files in  PDF format.

To request a paper application, please contact Ashley.Smith@Maine.gov .

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3 weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($10,523.28-$12,380.40 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. 
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.41% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS). 

• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for part-time employment.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. 

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.