Directs the Bureau of Toxic Substances, State Health Department.

The work includes responsibility for the formation of Statewide toxic substances information systems including establishment of technical policies, regulations and guidelines for the collection, evaluation and dissemination of information on toxic substances and their use in the State; formulation of policies necessary for fulfillment of statutory responsibilities; and provision of necessary staff assistance to the Toxic Substance Advisory Council; overseeing and providing direction in the planning and development of all toxic substances information gathering, evaluation and dissemination programs; reviewing and evaluating the performance and progress of the bureau. Supervision is exercised over technical scientific specialists. Direction is received from an Assistant Health Commissioner charged with directing the Division of Special Health Services.

Examples of duties characteristic of positions in this class:

1. Plans and develops toxic substances program policies, procedures and standards for all phases of the work; determines the organization and staffing pattern; develops budgets.

2. Maintains liaison with officials of State, Federal and municipal agencies, university faculties and industrial leaders concerning matters of toxic substances information management and related issues.

3. Directs and supervises chemists and biologists responsible for review of, research into evaluation of, and consultation on toxic substances literature, reports from manufacturers and any other pertinent data; provides for the technical information needs of State regulatory agencies.

4. Attends public hearings on rules and regulations, exemptions to the regulations and other matters; speaks at seminars or workshops designed to assist industrial officials and others in complying with toxic substances statutes and in using bureau services.

 

5. Develops or directs the development of patterns and profiles of chemical usage in the State and recommends legislation or regulations for control or management of chemicals which are of substantial risk to health or the environment.

6. Develops toxicological techniques for projecting the hazards of substances in circumstances when only limited data is available for making an evaluation.

7. Supervises personnel engaged in the evaluation of reports from industry concerning their use of toxic substances.

8. Evaluates the effectiveness of analytical techniques used to establish levels of toxic substances and adopts such techniques as are judged to be accurate and appropriate.

9. Conducts or speaks at seminars, prepares and presents special

reports; and makes special investigations as required.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in chemistry biology or related science and five years of experience related to toxicology or pharmacology. A doctor's degree in pharmacology or toxicology may be substituted for two years of experience.

Thorough knowledge of toxicology, chemistry, pharmacology; general knowledge of practices of administration; ability to coordinate and direct technical programs and staff; ability to apply and extrapolate laboratory data to problems; ability to speak and write effectively; ability to establish technical evaluation procedures; ability to supervise a highly technical staff and to work effectively with professional personnel and others.