This information is for reference only. These classifications are no longer valid and were replaced 7/1/2020.
- Toxicologist
- What will I be doing?
- Do I qualify?
- Can I be successful?
- Benefits
- How do I apply?
This is professional, consultative, and analytical work evaluating the health effects of toxic substances.
Provides technical consultation on health effects of toxic substances to various state and local health or environmental agencies, public and private groups, and individual citizens.
Initiates, designs, and/or evaluates research studies to determine deleterious health effects of acute and chronic exposures to toxic chemicals; serves as the lead person for toxicological studies and assists in epidemiological, indoor air pollution, and industrial hygiene investigations.
Identifies basic toxicological research needs and prepares technical aspects of research grants.
Reviews scientific literature and technical documents from various state, federal, private, and public organizations; searches computer databases for information and develops informational documents on toxic substances.
Develops training materials and trains environmental and health staff on the health effects of toxic substances.
Represents the Department of Health and Senior Services or the Department of Natural Resources in public meetings, task forces, news conferences, or other forums relating to environmental toxicology.
Performs and/or reviews health assessments of hazardous waste sites; determines concentrations, health effects, and possible routes of exposure of the toxic substances at a site; reviews monitoring, mortality, morbidity, and incidence data for the population around a site; and recommends actions to prevent or reduce exposure.
Recommends or reviews the work of others on clean-up levels for hazardous waste sites and hazardous substances spills; reviews health effects of chemicals at a site; obtains or calculates acceptable daily intake for each chemical at a site; collects available information on absorption of chemical in digestive tract; evaluates contribution of inhalation and dermal routes of exposures; determines whether population at risk differs from normal; and calculates safe soil, air, or water levels.
Performs risk assessments of environmental contamination situations; reviews monitoring data on contaminants in fish, wildlife, water, air, and the workplace for appropriateness of sampling and analytical methods; determines the most appropriate and valid data for doing the risk assessment; identifies the potential hazards of the chemical; determines the actual or potential population at risk; evaluates actual exposure data and calculates risk.
Provides technical consultation to the Missouri Community Right-To-Know (MCRTK) program and employee right-to-know programs within State government; reviews material safety data sheets for accuracy and appropriateness of data; interprets information relative to health effects; identifies supplemental toxicological databases; and recommends additions or deletions to the list of toxic substances.
Exercises significant independence and initiative in the performance of responsibilities; receives general administrative direction from the program administrator or other designated official.
Performs other related work as assigned.
(The following minimum qualifications will determine merit system eligibility and may be used to evaluate applicants for Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System positions not requiring selection from merit registers.)
A Ph.D. in Toxicology from an accredited college or university; and,
One or more years of professional experience in toxicology.
OR
A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Toxicology, or in a closely related field which included a minimum of 10 earned graduate credit hours in Toxicology in addition to graduate research; and,
Three or more years of professional experience in Toxicology.
Please note that documentation that supports your eligibility (i.e. transcripts, employment records, etc.) may be required at any time during the application and hiring process. If you do not possess the minimum qualifications, please consider one of many other employment opportunities with the State of Missouri.
Do you possess the key skills which are considered essential for successful employment in this classification?
Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, techniques, and applications of toxicology, particularly as related to the environment.
Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of assessing risk from exposure to toxic substances.
Comprehensive knowledge of the sources of information on the toxicology of chemicals.
Comprehensive knowledge of the literature on health effects of toxic substances.
Intermediate knowledge of statistical and analytical techniques related to toxicology.
Intermediate knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations on toxic substances.
Intermediate knowledge of methods to search computer databases.
Ability to make rapid and accurate evaluations of toxicological and exposure data.
Ability to interpret and analyze complex data sets and draw appropriate conclusions.
Ability to provide recommendations on responses to potential or actual exposures to toxic substances.
Ability to communicate effectively with all types of audiences.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with local, state, and federal environmental and health agencies, public and private groups, academic institutions, and others.
The following link will provide you with general information about State of Missouri employee benefits.
View benefits