Job Specification Details

Professional toxicological work for the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets involving risk assessment of pesticides, other agricultural chemicals, potential food or feed contaminants, and other agricultural commodities or inputs as needed. This position provides toxicological analysis, opinion, and may manage contracts associated with toxicological analysis or livestock and human health risk recommendations as requested for the PHARM Division, as well as any other Division in the Agency, or at the request of the Secretary or Deputy Secretary.

Reviews and summarizes health risk assessments, toxicological analyses, and reports by Federal or other State agencies or published scientific literature.  Evaluates human and livestock health and environmental risk assessments on pesticides and other agricultural chemicals or inputs registered or proposed for registration in Vermont, potential food contaminants, or other materials as assigned. Provides the results of these reviews and evaluations in a professional format to Agency leadership.  Performs or manages performance of complex assessments, inspections, and research to evaluate the actual or potential human or livestock health risk from exposure to chemical compounds. Develops detailed proposals and recommendations for responses to toxicological problems. Reviews determinations of minimal allowable standards for chemicals found in food, feed and soil. Serves as subject matter expert for toxicological issues, including sample collection and analysis questions. 

Responds to specific health and environmental concerns communicated to the Agency through risk assessments and recommendations for appropriate actions to eliminate or minimize harm. Upon request, develops information sheets and outreach programs to encourage safe and appropriate use of agricultural chemicals.
Works with experts in the Division, other Divisions or other State agencies to develop risk assessments and toxicological analyses.
May represent the Department as an expert witness during legislative hearings and public meetings. 
Performs related duties as required.

Duties are performed primarily in a standard office setting.

Occasional field visits to agricultural production sites, food processing facilities, and environmental contamination sites, and travel to public hearings and other meetings require private means of transportation. Strongly conflicting and emotional opinions may be encountered.

Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of toxicology. 

Knowledge of risk assessment principles and procedures for agricultural chemicals, potential food or feed contaminants, and environmental contaminants. 

Experience with development of risk assessments and toxicological reviews for government or private industry.

Experience with developing proposals for and management of contracts for performance of technical and scientific projects.

Working knowledge of agricultural practices, integrated pest management principles, environmental protection laws, and principles of food safety.

Knowledge of applicable federal laws and regulations pertaining to the use of agricultural chemicals, environmental protection, and food safety.

Ability to draw reasonable, defensible conclusions from large amounts of complex data, often with short lead times or in order to meet a deadline requested by Agency leadership. 

Ability to prepare reports and summaries useful for Agency leadership decision making. 

Ability to provide summaries of alternative opinions of scientific questions.

Ability to maintain impartiality and evenhandedness under pressure from strong and divergent groups.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ph.D. in toxicology or pharmacology.
OR
Master's degree in toxicology, pharmacology, or a closely related field AND two (2) or more years of experience in risk assessment in human or environmental health or in forensic toxicology.
OR
Bachelor’s degree in toxicology, pharmacology, or a closely related field AND five (5) or more years of experience in risk assessment in human or environmental health or in forensic toxicology.