Ecological Toxicologist
1 month ago
Announcement #
2024-166
Issue Date:
05-24-24
Closing Date:
06-06-24
Ecological Toxicologist
Fisheries Resource Management (FRM)
Department of Natural Resources
Hourly Wage: $50.83-$57.21/Regular/Full-Time
Location: Yakima
Serves as an Ecological Toxicologist for the Yakama Nation Fisheries (YNF) Superfund Section. Follows direction from and works closely with other scientists to provide science-based arguments in the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. Responsible for assessing and reviewing ecological investigations and Natural Resource Damage Assessments (NRDAs) on a wide variety of complex and diverse contaminant sites to determine effects on fish and their habitats, with special emphasis on federally listed threatened and endangered species and aquatic systems, including wetlands and other habitats of concern. Evaluates risk assessments for compliance with applicable tribal, federal, and state laws, regulations, and policies. Collaborates with tribal, federal and state representatives on remediation and restoration of contaminated sites.
Utilizes professional expertise to review and evaluate technical documents pertaining to remedial investigations, feasibility studies, remedial actions, injury assessment plans, habitat equivalency analysis, and restoration/mitigation plans to ensure protection of treaty resources.
Serves as an expert witness in litigation matters, applying expertise to provide testimony, produce relevant facts, and provide a professional opinion during depositions, settlement negotiations, trials, or tribunals.
Examples of Work Performed:
The following are a summary of the types of work performed but are not limited to: Uses analytical and scientific techniques to identify toxins such as chemicals, biological substances and radiation, and to assess the potential risks and harmful effects posed by them.
Reviews and comments on contaminant sampling proposals to ensure scientific validity of samples for water, sediments, soils, fish, and other natural resources.
Reviews and comments on risk assessments to evaluate and quantify effects of contaminants on fish and other natural resources.
Analyzes contaminant data using statistics (i.e., analysis of variance, multiple regression, multivariate, and cluster analyses) and uncertainty analysis to determine impacts to fish and other natural resources.
Interprets and evaluates study findings to determine the ecological effects of toxic substances on fish and natural resources in order to make recommendations regarding natural resource management and restoration.
Determines mitigation and/or restoration measures to compensate for the impact of contaminants on fish and natural resources.
Assesses loss of environmental services related to contaminant injuries to natural resources.
Prepares written reports and other documents to support Yakama Nation positions on contaminant remediation and NRDA cases.
Reviews assessment work focused on biological, neurotoxicological, reproductive and/or developmental effects associated with exposure to various chemicals and environmental substances.
Identifies gaps in remedial investigations and recommends areas of further analysis.
Provides key technical guidance on complex scientific issues and selection of methodologies and approaches to various problems and issues in risk assessment.
Ensures contractor work products are completed as directed, on-time and within budget.
Participates in project coordination meetings and site technical meetings.
Facilitates project meetings, working sessions, and conference calls.
Provides regular reports regarding the status of project tasks and deliverables.
Develops reports, delivers presentations, participates on technical forums, and shares technical expertise.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental engineering; design, construction and operation of remediation systems; physical and biological sciences as related to environmental engineering; laws and regulations governing environmental issues.
Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies and guidance related to remediation and restoration actions
(including an understanding the roles and responsibilities of lead agencies, Trustees, and PRPs) including,
but not limited to: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Natural Resource Damage Assessments (NRDA), Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA).
Knowledge of Yakama Nation's Treaty and treaty rights.
Knowledge of federal and state hazardous waste sites in Washington and Oregon.
Ability to assess ecological investigations and NRDAs on a wide variety of the most complex and diverse contaminant sites to determine contaminant effects on fish and their habitats, with special emphasis on federally listed threatened and endangered species and aquatic systems, including wetlands and other habitats of concern.
Ability to analyze biological and ecological data to identify, evaluate, categorize, and prioritize contaminated sites based on contaminant impacts to natural resources.
Ability to analyze, organize, and present technical information, using a strong working knowledge of tribal and federal laws, regulations, and policies.
Ability to communicate effectively; write clear and concise reports, memoranda, letters and give public presentations.
Ability to draft request for proposals and establish contracts for professional services.
Ability to plan, organize, and independently manage work tasks and responsibilities.
Ability to accomplish complicated tasks independently and with only general direction.
Ability to develop reports, deliver presentations, participate on technical forums, and share technical expertise.
Minimum Requirements:
Master's degree in Toxicology with at least fifteen or more years of professional experience with hazardous waste sites and cleanups.
Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.
Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving Permit.
Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
Preferred Requirements:
PhD in Toxicology with 5 years of professional experience with hazardous waste sites and cleanups.
Previous experience in working with tribal, state or federal governments.
