Associate Toxicologist

Job Description and Duties

Are you interested in a meaningful and impactful career? Would you like to contribute to protecting people and the environment and accelerating a statewide transition to sustainable pest management? The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) could be the place for you!

The mission of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is to protect human health and the environment by regulating pesticide sales and use, and by fostering reduced-risk pest management. The Human Health Assessment (HHA) Branch is responsible for evaluating toxicity and exposure data as part of the pesticide registration and health risk assessment process.

To assist HHA in meeting this goal, the Associate Toxicologist conducts human health risk assessments supporting pesticide product registration decisions, with primary emphasis on critically reviewing, interpreting, and quantitatively evaluating toxicology and exposure data to support hazard identification, dose–response assessment, point-of-departure derivation (e.g., NOAEL/LOAEL or benchmark dose modeling), uncertainty characterization, and comprehensive human exposure assessment. The incumbent evaluates pesticide product labels, use patterns, and available monitoring or modeled exposure data to characterize occupational and residential exposure across dermal, inhalation, and oral routes, integrating exposure estimates with toxicity endpoints to inform quantitative human health risk characterization and regulatory risk management decisions.

The incumbent also reviews pesticide labels, exposure studies, and relevant scientific literature from government and peer-reviewed sources to develop exposure assessment document and support mitigation measures, while collaborating closely with toxicologists, exposure scientists, chemists, statisticians, and modelers to ensure robust multi-pathway and aggregate exposure and risk assessments. Additionally, the incumbent evaluates submitted data for scientific quality, regulatory relevance, and uncertainty, and engages in interdisciplinary collaboration, policy and guidance development, professional development, and scientific communication to support evolving methodologies in toxicology, exposure science, and modern risk assessment tools.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

• Any work performed in the office will be conducted in a climate-controlled cubicle within a high-rise building. 
• Must be able to use a computer for up to 8 hours per day. 
• Occasional travel by car or plane may be required.

NOTE:  This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria set forth in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location, as indicated on their duty statement, at their own expense.

Beginning July 1st, 2026, it is anticipated this position will be office-centered and employees will be expected to report to the office at least four days per week.

Special Requirements

• This position is designated Conflict of Interest and requires disclosure of economic interests.

• If education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must include a copy of your degree and/or unofficial transcripts in order to verify you meet the minimum qualifications. If you use unofficial transcripts to verify you meet the minimum qualifications, you must provide official transcripts prior to your start date, if selected for the position.

• Please do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to: basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, marital status, age, national origin, medical conditions, and use of medical leave.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of human exposure and health risk assessment.
• The candidate should be proficient in applying published models and other quantitative methods for data analysis and be capable of creatively adapting methods, techniques, and procedures to complete assignments, analyze complex technical data, and develop scientifically sound solutions.
• Strong written and oral communication skills are essential, including the ability to present technical information in a clear, concise, and logically organized manner and to communicate respectfully and with professional sensitivity.
• The successful candidate should also demonstrate the ability to critically review and evaluate complex scientific literature and other information relevant to human exposure and health risk assessment.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Critical Job Competencies

Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups; informs, persuades, builds consensus; knows the audience; facilitates open exchanges of ideas/opinions; selects and uses appropriate communication approaches; actively listens; effectively uses e-mail; avoids mixed messages, the body language says one thing, the words another; and applies business writing principles to all written communications.

Decisiveness: Makes decisions in a decisive and timely manner; willingly shares decision making with direct reports - transparent decision making process as warranted; accepts accountability for decisions; perceives impact and implications of decisions; takes action consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences; and enables others to succeed and make decisions for themselves.

Ethics/Integrity: Creates a culture of trusting relationships; demonstrates trust and principled leadership; promotes organizational vision and values through ethical leadership principles; tells it straight - open and honest even about the bad news; admits mistakes - not as an admission of weakness but as having integrity and being trustworthy; and provides examples of the vision and values of the organization through own authenticity.

Flexibility/Adaptability: Readily integrates changes midstream into work processes and outputs; demonstrates openness to new organizational structures, procedures, and technologies; and shifts gears comfortably.

Political Acumen: Identifies the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization; perceives organizational and political reality and acts accordingly; considers a broad range of internal and external factors (big picture) when solving problems and making decisions; identifies critical, high payoff strategies and prioritizes work efforts accordingly; in taking action, demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas in the organization; formulates strategies that are achievable, cost effective, and addresses administration and organizational goals; develops and balances operational and strategic management skills; and creates a strategic frame of reference.

Problem Solving: Perseveres in the face of obstacles such as diminishing financial resources; knows there is more than one way to get to the destination; anticipates problems and encourages a culture of proactive problem solving; and ensures comprehensive evaluation of the costs and benefits of all options in determining the preferred solution.

Project Management: Garners support for projects; develops work plans with tasks, timeframes, milestones, resources, and dependencies; uses resources efficiently and manages effectively within budget limits; anticipates potential problems and institutes controls and contingency plans to address them; and monitors project progress.

Self-Motivation, Optimism, Sustained Commitment, Perseverance, Patience: Demonstrates a bias toward optimism and maintains a sense of humor; retains stamina and bounces back from setbacks; views mistakes as opportunities for growth/positive learning experiences.

Teamwork: Facilitates and maintains cooperative working relationships; works toward accomplishment of group goals; values and encourages the input and expertise of others; and fosters commitment, team spirit, pride, and trust.

Technical Credibility: Understands and appropriately applies procedures, requirements, policies, and regulations related to specialized expertise; integrates technology into the work to improve program effectiveness; possesses up-to-date knowledge in the profession and industry and accesses other expert resources when appropriate; and translates concepts and ideas into strategies and action steps.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts
• Other - Please include a resume or curriculum vitae that lists presentations, abstracts, and peer reviewed articles.