Position Description
Harris County Pollution Control Services Department (HCPCS) 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.
What you will do for Harris County Pollution Control
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.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Toxicology: Develops toxicological risk assessments in accordance with current regulatory frameworks for emerging contaminants and priority pollutants; and prepares detailed health risk assessments to support permitting comments, compliance and enforcement actions, and public policy developments.
- Environmental Sampling: Designs and implements community-based environmental sampling plans for air, water, and soil.
- Community Engagement and Outreach: Collaborates and supports community engagement initiatives through public outreach efforts in schools, community centers, and community meetings.
- Health Risk Analysis & Public Communication: Evaluates health risks based on environmental data collected by PCS and response partners during environmental response incidents, provides recommendations to protect PCS staff and the public, and establishes 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.
- Legal Support: Provides 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.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Education:
Master's degree in Toxicology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, or a directly related field from an accredited college of university
Licensure/Certification:
- Valid Driver’s License (TX upon hire)
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- 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.
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:
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.
Reporting Relationships:
- Reports to Position: TBD
- Supervised Positions: TBD
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
- This position is based in an office environment, where the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, scanners, and filing cabinets is routine.
- Potential exposures include working in outdoor environments, where individuals may be subjected to a variety of weather conditions.
- This role requires light physical work, including lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds, sitting
for extended periods, repetitive motion, and the use of manual dexterity. - The position also demands constant attention to detail, frequent development of new ideas or processes, the ability to manage occasional deadlines or multiple priorities, and the retention of complex procedures, data, or regulations.
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
