Environmental Toxicologist

Mission

The mission of Harris County Pollution Control Services Department (HCPCS) is to protect the citizens of Harris County from environmental impacts through firm, consistent enforcement of state and federal regulations. The ultimate goal of PCS is clean air, water, and proper management of waste. The activities PCS are directed toward ensuring clean air and water for the citizens of Harris County, consistent with the protection of public health, enjoyment of property and the protection of plant, animal, and marine life.

Under general supervision, the Toxicologist supports Pollution Control Services' mission to protect public health and the environment by working on impactful projects and collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams in science, engineering, and regulatory compliance. Individuals in this position will be responsible for developing toxicological risk assessments, providing expert guidance on regulatory compliance, communicating findings through reports and public outreach, and contributing to environmental monitoring, community engagement, and legal support.

The Toxicologist is expected to possess a strong background in toxicology, a passion for public service and environmental protection, and demonstrate effective communication, analytical, and critical thinking skills.

• Develop toxicological risk assessments in accordance with current regulatory frameworks for emerging contaminants and priority pollutants; and prepare detailed health risk assessments to support permitting comments, compliance and enforcement actions, and public policy developments.
• Design and implement community-based environmental sampling plans for air, water, and soil.
• Collaborate and support community engagement initiatives through public outreach efforts in schools, community centers, and community meetings.
• Evaluate health risks based on environmental data collected by PCS and response partners during environmental response incidents, provide recommendations to protect PCS staff and the public, and establish air contaminants action levels from monitoring results that are published on the PCS website to inform the public and decision makers of potential health risks.
• Provide expert testimony on toxicological hazards in support of litigation for the Harris County Attorney's Office and Harris County District Attorney's Office as needed.
• Other duties as assigned:
  • This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

• Master's degree in Toxicology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, or a directly related field from an accredited college or university.

• Three (3) years of experience in toxicological risk assessment, environmental sampling, and public health communication.

• Valid Driver’s License (TX upon hire).

• Possess working knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations.
• Familiarity with Handheld PID and gas sensors, particulate sensors, GC/MS, canister sampling, EPA toxicological databases, and risk tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational, critical thinking, scientific writing, mathematical, and analytical skills.
• Ability to report data accurately and clearly.
• Ability to perform conversions and statistical analysis.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

• Full time | Monday - Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; operating on a hybrid schedule and rotating on-call shifts; required to work weekends, holidays, and overtime for emergency and disaster response.
• This role may require employees to be deployed to alternative county locations during emergency events.

• Reports to Position: TBD
• Supervised Positions: TBD

• This position is based in an office…