Toxicologist

**Duties**:
You will:

- Serve as a technical authority and provides expert level technical assistance on policy matters and interpretations of toxicology data to the Water programs and to Tribal, State, local and other federal agencies regarding the ecotoxicological impacts of water and sediment pollution.
- Provide expert risk communication support and authoritative recommendations for action to the Water programs and serves as the Regional Water representative at public hearings.
- Evaluate and provide expertise and guidance on risk assessments and toxicological investigations.
- Consult with other professional scientists on research needs and technical and policy advice in the areas of toxicology.

You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.

**Requirements**:
**Conditions of Employment**:

- You must be a U.S. citizen. You must submit a resume and required documents
- see Qualifications/Education section.
- EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.

This position is designated as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.

If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.

LI-Onsite

If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter.

**Qualifications**:
NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements, including any requirements described in the Education section, by the closing date of this announcement.

In addition to the basic entry education requirements, you must have specialized experience and/or directly related education as described below:
To qualify for the GS-14 level, you must have 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level defined as serve as an advisor in the technical, and/or administrative aspects of human and environmental toxicology and risk assessment/risk communication. Performs investigative toxicological science work and/or science support work in one or more scientific areas of specialization.

Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

- Skill in written communication.
- Knowledge of chemicals and mixtures of chemicals, microbiology, including toxicology, epidemiology, microbiology fare and transport, and environmental and ecotoxicological impacts; risk assessment and risk communication.
- Skill in oral communication.
- Ability to take highly technical scientific principles and theories and translate them into administratively workable solutions and for general public risk communications.
- Knowledge of state and federal environmental quality programs and the responsibilities related to public health protection and risk-based decision-making.
- Skill in working with and directing committees and conferences, writing /reviewing risk communication/scientific publications

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
- If you have part-time work experience, read this: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

**Education**:
You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.

**Toxicologist Series**

You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in toxicology; or an appropriate discipline of the biological, medical, or veterinary sciences that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, biochemistry, or physiology, and 12 semester hours in toxicology.

For information about accreditation requirements, visit EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

**Additional information**:
This position is in the bargaining unit.

Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed in the Overview section.

EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment