Environmental Health Scientist Jobs

Serve as a key team member in the Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health’s (BCEH) Environmental Toxicology Program evaluating the human health risk of exposure to environmental contamination in various environmental media (e.g., drinking water, surface water, soil, dust, food, consumer products).

Responsibilities include serving as a collaborative team member addressing internal and external stakeholder concerns related to the human health risks of exposure to contaminants in underserved communities.

This individual will also assist with the quantitative evaluation of laboratory data when evaluating public health risks following known or suspected exposure to climate hazards and environmental contamination.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and are not all inclusive):

• Translate emerging science into various applied science resources (e.g., technical and non-technical summaries, memos, reports, and presentations) for various audiences and projects with Mastery in the Environmental Toxicology Program.
• Collaborate with health assessment staff (Environmental Analysts) in the Environmental Toxicology Program (ETP), and with other programs including the Environmental Epidemiology Program within BCEH.
• Determine compliance with applicable laws and standards and recommend enforcement actions/corrective measures.
• Summarize existing regulatory guidance and criteria from state, federal, and authoritative agencies.
• Assist with preparing materials for presentation at public meetings.
• Prepare draft reports and educational materials for review by Program and Bureau Leadership.
• Respond to public concerns about possible health effects from exposures to emerging contaminant concerns in various media.
• Represent the program, bureau, and department in providing technical presentations.
• Conduct analyses of possible health risks associated with exposures to various environmental media (e.g., drinking water, surface water, soil, dust, food, consumer products).
• Occasional travel to evening meetings and/or overnight travel for work related investigations is required.
• Review environmental sampling data, site assessments, and toxicological evaluations for possible issuance of public health advisories or health-related fact sheets.
• Attend meetings as the bureau or toxicology program’s representative, including public meetings on environmental exposure related issues; may represent BCEH on environmental health focused committees, as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Update risk-communication tools with new information on environmental exposure and health outcomes.

Required Qualifications:

• Skill in the use of computers in database compilation and environmental monitoring.
• Capable to maintain accurate records.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental science and public health.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
• Expertise of the methods of general and technical report writing.
• Knowledge of the methods used in the preparation of charts, graphs and tables.
• Ability to adapt to varying work situations.
• Understanding of probability and statistics
• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of environmental science data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of toxicology including risk analysis and risk communication.
• Capability to give oral and written instructions in a precise, understandable manner.
• Able to read and interpret documents such as risk assessments, chemical analyses, and biological analyses.
• Mastery of mathematical computations used in solving environmental problems.
• Knowledge of the types and uses of toxicological testing techniques and procedures.
• Ability to understand and apply laws, rules and regulations concerning the environment in connection with the alteration and protection of public health and the environment.
• Ability to establish rapport with others.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of solid waste disposal and hazardous waste treatment.
• Ability to prepare technical and general reports.
• Knowledge of the standard procedures for taking field notes in connection with environmental sampling and surveying to obtain legally defensible data.
• Ability to write concisely, express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in a logical sequence.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous analytical experience in environmental justice or health equity.
• Previous experience evaluating laboratory data describing levels of environmental hazards.
• Experience in communicating the health risks of exposure to microbial, chemical, radiation, and climate-related human health hazards.
• Previous experience evaluating environmental health risks.

About the Department of Public Health:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.

We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.

DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.

More information can be found at: MA Department of Public Health

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #2

• Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

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