State of Michigan Civil Service Commission Capitol Commons Center, P.O. Box 30002 Lansing, MI 48909 Position Code 1. TOXGSTAA13R POSITIO DESCRIPTIO This position description serves as the official classification document of record for this position. Please complete the information as accurately as you can as the position description is used to determine the proper classification of the position. 2. Employee's ame (Last, First, M.I.) 8. Department/Agency MDHHS-COM HEALTH CETRAL OFF 3. Employee Identification umber 9. Bureau (Institution, Board, or Commission) Disease Control, Prevention, and Epidemiology 4. Civil Service Position Code Description 10. Division TOXICOLOGIST-A Environmental Health 5. Working Title (What the agency calls the position) 11. Section Toxicologist Toxicology and Response 6. ame and Position Code Description of Direct Supervisor 12. Unit BUSH, CHRISTIA R; TOXICOLOGIST MAAGER-3 ATSDR Site Investigation Unit 7. ame and Position Code Description of Second Level Supervisor 13. Work Location (City and Address)/Hours of Work MACKEZIE-TAYLOR, DEBORAH R; STATE ADMIISTRATIVE MAAGER-1 15 333 South Grand Ave.; LASIG, MI 48933 / Lansing MI 7:00-5:30 14. General Summary of Function/Purpose of Position This position functions as a senior level Toxicologist position for the MDHHS chemical terrorism and emergencies preparedness strategy. This position takes a lead role and is responsible for independently assessing the human health risks of hazardous chemicals and materials, and providing advanced toxicological support during chemical public health emergencies. This person also manages a mercury spill response training program, provides outreach materials regarding health risks of elemental mercury exposure, and provides technical support for non-occupational mercury spill cleanups.
15. Please describe the assigned duties, percent of time spent performing each duty, and what is done to complete each duty. List the duties from most important to least important. The total percentage of all duties performed must equal 100 percent. Duty 1 General Summary: Percentage: 40 Takes a lead scientific public health role in the MDHHS response to complex chemical emergencies requiring prompt action to avoid public exposures and the resulting injury and/or health impacts. Independently conducts or recommends public health responses and provides advanced technical expertise in the areas of exposure investigation, toxicology and toxicological methods. Chemical emergencies include: Transportation accidents, chemical spills, fires involving hazardous chemicals/materials, and other sites where real or perceived exposure to hazardous substances potentially threatens public health or where public interest in elevated. Uses advanced technical and scientific knowledge to develop innovative and creative approaches to chemical and site investigations. Independently applies considerable scientific judgment to address public health hazards. Recommends, plans, and conducts complex investigations when needed to fill data gaps. Conducts in-depth evaluations of the physical, chemical and toxicological properties of chemicals of concern at contaminated sites and assesses health hazards associated with exposure. Interprets toxicological databases of chemicals where existing studies are not standardized, where results are unclear or controversial, or where toxicological evidence must be pieced together to draw appropriate health-protective conclusions. Determines acceptable exposure standards when none exist or modifies existing default standards when site-specific information is available. Effectively conveys controversial public health messages to the public, health-care professionals, stakeholder groups, elected officials, and the media. Coordinates activities with other state agencies, the U.S. EPA, the ATSDR, local health departments and other agencies for site investigation, evaluation and communication of health and environmental messages. Determines qualitative and quantitative adequacy of environmental sampling data. If data gaps exist, requests additional information from appropriate governmental agencies. Recommends/assists with sampling designs and strategies. Conducts site visits to make observations and collect information pertinent to site-related public health issues. Provides toxicological support to epidemiologists conducting surveillance activities for significant chemical exposure events. Duty 2 General Summary: Percentage: 20 Monitors local, state, and federal report centers to identify chemical emergencies that require prompt action to prevent or mitigate public health impact. Participates in public health emergencies exercises. Receives and responds to reports of chemical emergencies from the ational Response Center and the Michigan Pollution Emergency Alert (PEAS) system. Monitors chemical emergency events to identify circumstances and concerns that may result in public health threats. Engages state and federal partners to recommend and request actions to evaluate and mitigate public health exposures during chemical emergencies. Serves as a liaison to and communicates with local public health agencies; first responders such as police, fire and HAZMAT units; federal partners including the U.S. EPA Emergency Response Branch; and other State of Michigan agencies. Maintains records of chemical emergencies, identifies patterns in emergencies and opportunities for public health education. Participates in public health emergencies exercises with the U.S. EPA, MDEQ, and/or MDHHS CHECC. Duty 3 This position develops and maintains the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for the Bureau of Epidemiology and Population Health to ensure that Bureau Primary Mission Essential Functions (PMEFs) continue to be performed during a wide range of emergencies, including localized acts of nature, accidents and technological or attack-related emergencies. Identifies critical activities and resources that must be included in the agency s and organization s continuity planning process. Collaborates with other Divisions of the Bureau to develop and review draft plans and makes revisions in response to comments. Develops electronic documentation of the COOP through collaborations with the Department of Technology Management and Budget. Updates the COOP on a periodic basis and/or as critical activities, resources, and/or personnel change. Duty 4 This position develops and maintains technical information on toxic chemicals and collaborates on chemical emergency response plans for the Chemical Annex to the MDHHS All-Hazards Response Plan.
Develops, updates, and maintains emergency response reference materials. Provides electronic files on computer flash drives for key MDHHS emergency response personnel. Prepares and updates written sections of the MDHHS All-Hazards Emergency Response Plan related to response and recovery from a public health chemical emergency event, with supporting technical materials that would be used to assess chemical risks. Provides toxicological expertise to MDHHS workgroups addressing preparedness for chemical emergencies. Duty 5 Maintains/expands advanced knowledge of developments in the area of environmental toxicology, epidemiology, health education, and risk communication. Develops and maintains readiness for response to a chemical public health emergency, including training and certifications. Participates in the Michigan multi-agency Toxics Steering Group (TSG) by discussing current issues in toxicology and making recommendations to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Maintains working knowledge of the development and use of state and federal environmental regulatory criteria. Reviews scientific literature on chemicals of interest. Completes and maintains training offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for emergency response. Attends training sessions to increase knowledge of statistical, regulatory, research, and community involvement processes. Attends and participates in local, state, and national meetings, conferences, and seminars on related technical topics and issues. Duty 6 General Summary: Percentage: 5 Takes lead role in mercury spill response, including coordinating mercury spill response workshops and providing technical support for outreach materials. Coordinates two full-day mercury spill response training workshops per year, with presenters from MDHHS, local health departments and/or response teams, U.S. EPA Emergency Response personnel, and private cleanup companies, along with a hands-on training component. The audiences includes local health departments, hazmat and first responder teams, tribes, schools, utilities, and businesses. Provides shorter-length workshops and presentations for conferences and meetings. Provides off-site and on-site technical assistance at mercury release sites. Maintains a Mercury Spill Response Contacts network for purposes of identifying and contacting the appropriate local responders. Communicates regularly with network of contacts, announcing workshops, providing resources, and forwarding mercury-related news. Develops fact sheets and other mercury outreach materials for diverse audiences: communities, healthcare professionals, businesses, schools, and agencies. Duty 7 General Summary: Percentage: 5 Provides support to the Section, Division, Bureau, and Department in all other duties as assigned. Provides support to the Section, Division, Bureau, and Department in all other duties as assigned. 16. 16. Describe the types of decisions made independently in this position and tell who or what is affected by those decisions. The position holder makes independent decisions regarding public health hazards posed by uncontrolled releases of hazardous chemicals. The position holder makes independent decisions while investigating contamination events where immediate actions are necessary to prevent exposure to the public. 17. Describe the types of decisions that require the supervisor's review. Minimal oversight is required. Any health action recommendations require prompt notification of MDHHS administration. 18. What kind of physical effort is used to perform this job? What environmental conditions in this position physically exposed to on the job? Indicate the amount of time and intensity of each activity and condition. Refer to instructions. The physical effort required in this position includes the possibility of transporting a mercury vapor analyzer or other sampling equipment, less than 20 pounds in weight. The employee may attend one of these calls or site visits once a month. The person in this position may have to maneuver over uneven ground while also transporting equipment. The employee may be exposed to unpleasant and noxious fumes and odors when conducting site visits. These sites are usually outside and the employee would be exposed to local weather conditions. Site visits may occur up to two to three times a month.
19. List the names and position code descriptions of each classified employee whom this position immediately supervises or oversees on a fulltime, on-going basis. Additional Subordinates 20. This position's responsibilities for the above-listed employees includes the following (check as many as apply): Complete and sign service ratings. Assign work. Provide formal written counseling. Approve leave requests. Approve work. Review work. Approve time and attendance. Provide guidance on work methods. Orally reprimand. Train employees in the work. 22. Do you agree with the responses for items 1 through 20? If not, which items do you disagree with and why? Yes 23. What are the essential functions of this position? This employee provides advanced technical support for the MDHHS chemical terrorism and emergencies preparedness strategy. The person in this position is responsible for independently assessing the human health risks of hazardous chemicals and materials and providing advanced toxicological support during chemical public health emergencies. 24. Indicate specifically how the position's duties and responsibilities have changed since the position was last reviewed. Updated to reflect current focus and organizational changes within the Division. 25. What is the function of the work area and how does this position fit into that function? The function of the Division is to act as a resource for the evaluation of the effects of the environment on health, including to provide support to the department s efforts in responding to the chemical exceedences in drinking water and vapor intrusion. Within the Division, the Toxicology and Response Section evaluates chemical releases and emergencies, as well as historical sites of environmental chemical contamination for health effects on exposed human populations. The person in this position provides toxicological support to the Department s chemical terrorism and emergencies preparedness activities and other chemical contamination-related activities of the division. 26. What are the minimum education and experience qualifications needed to perform the essential functions of this position. EDUCATIO: Possession of a master s degree in toxicology. EXPERIECE: Toxicologist 12 Three years of professional experience in assessing and controlling the impact of toxic substances on human health and the environment equivalent to a Toxicologist, including one year equivalent to a Toxicologist P11. Alternate Education and Experience Toxicologist 9-12 Possession of a master s degree in a physical, biological, or environmental science with 10 semester (15 term) credits in toxicology, 14 semester (20 term) credits in chemistry (including inorganic, organic and biochemistry), and 24 semester (35 term) credits in any combination of the following: physiology, histology, pathology, statistics, environmental science, microbiology, physical or environmental chemistry (in addition to the above indicated 14 semester credits); anatomy, pharmacology, epidemiology, industrial hygiene, toxicology (in addition to the above indicated 10 semester credits); or, vertebrate biology or zoology may be substituted for the education requirement. KOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AD ABILITIES:
Advanced knowledge of the general principles, practices, and procedures of toxicology, biology, chemistry, and risk assessment; Ability to utilize available scientific literature to obtain references and information on the physical, chemical, and toxicological properties of chemical substances along with an ability to independently interpret and apply that information; Knowledge of the procedures and techniques utilized in correcting or mitigating exposure to chemical hazards in the environment. Knowledge of air/vapor/gas sampling and monitoring. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, on technical and non-technical levels. CERTIFICATES, LICESES, REGISTRATIOS: one OTE: Civil Service approval does not constitute agreement with or acceptance of the desired qualifications of this position. I certify that the information presented in this position description provides a complete and accurate depiction of the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Supervisor TO BE FILLED OUT BY APPOITIG AUTHORITY Indicate any exceptions or additions to the statements of employee or supervisors. one. I certify that the entries on these pages are accurate and complete. LIBERTY IRWI Appointing Authority 8/17/2018 I certify that the information presented in this position description provides a complete and accurate depiction of the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employee