Toxicologist

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Description of Duties

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: This position serves as the primary source of scientific and technical information about the risks and benefits of pesticide use in Maine for the Board of Pesticides Control (BPC), other state agencies, the medical community, and the public. Pesticide literature is highly technical and frequently controversial. It includes the popular press, peer-reviewed scientific publications, registration, and review documents generated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies, and data packages from registrants. Evaluating the scientific validity and relevance to Maine of this vast and complex literature requires an equally complete and thorough degree of education and experience.

• The Toxicologist’s expertise is applied through the BPC’s standing and ad hoc technical committees.
• The Toxicologist also provides technical support to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) and other state agencies, including the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS) and the Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC).
• The position interacts daily with the BPC field and office staff and the public; and maintains relationships with the pesticide manufacturing community, the medical community (including the Northern New England Poison Center) and the academic institutions in Maine and beyond.
• The Toxicologist also assists the DACF Quality Assurance and Regulation Committee with food safety issues.
• Outreach and education are significant elements of this position. The Toxicologist will be expected to develop and present educational and training materials for the regulated community, the public, and other interested parties, as well as respond to inquiries within their area of expertise.

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. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience in the evaluation of pesticides or contaminants in the environment. For information specific to the position, please contact Alexander Peacock, Director, Board of Pesticides Control, at (207) 441-4193.

Type of position

Full-Time

Salary

$59,363 – $83,345

Benefits

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 Balance – 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 ($11,196.96-$13,172.88 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. • Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements. • Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($358.08 annual value). • Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes at least 13.29% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee. • Gym Membership Reimbursement– Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense. • Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses. • Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office. • Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.• 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 forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act. • Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. • Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.