10/1/77 B

Conducts biological evaluations of the effects of toxic substances on non-human life, as a part of the technical services of the Bureau of Toxic Substances.

The work involves examining technical reports on toxic substances, reviewing sources of technical biological and biochemical data, making biological evaluations of toxic substances and providing consultative services to State regulatory agencies in matters rising from toxic substances. Emphasis is placed on the analysis, development and evaluation of biological information rather than on the performance of technical laboratory procedures. Work on assigned projects is performed with considerable independence, under supervision of a Toxicologist who functions as head of the technical services unit of the Bureau of Toxic Substances.

Examples of duties characteristic of positions in this class:

1. Conducts assigned biological evaluation projects; defines the work plan, schedule and resources required; prepares technical reports; may act as project leader when other scientific disciplines are necessary in reaching a biological evaluation.

2. Investigates and reports findings on species susceptibility, degradation characteristics, uptake, food chain aplification and accumulation, physiology, biochemical effects and other subject areas related to toxic effects of chemical substances.

3. Independently searches sources of technical biological and biochemical data to locate articles of value required for solution of assigned problems; maintains knowledge of sources of technical information such as computer data banks.

4. Evaluates experimental plans and analytical techniques used in industrial reports or technical 11terature as to the accuracy and validity, comparing articles similar in nature as to results and discarding those of low precision or accuracy.

 

5. Maintains a general knowledge concerning developed or experimental biological, analytical techniques and suggests the available techniques in response to problem situations.

6. Consults on format and content of biological and biochemical material included in bureau publications; conducts or speaks at seminars.

 

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in biology or aquatic biology, preferably with course work in aquatic entomology, algal and aquatic ecology, environmental biology, and biochemistry. Two years of experience in aquatic biology may be substituted for the master's degree.

General knowledge of biology, scientific methods and experimental techniques; ability to apply and extrapolate laboratory data to problems; ability to establish and apply technical evaluation procedures; ability to speak and write effectively and to work with professional personnel and the public.