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Directs laboratory toxicological studies and provides professional assistance in toxic substance programs and criminal investigations.

The duties involve the application of professional expertise in toxicology to the establishment and maintenance of standards affecting industrial health and safety, and the conduct of laboratory analyses. Incumbents may serve as consultants providing technical assistance, training and recommendations on exposure standards and chemical characteristics of toxic substances. Other incumbents may work with investigative laboratories in the study of specimens for toxic effects. This work may require an incumbent to anticipate possible causes of death and provide findings and opinions for legal proceedings. Supervision may be exercised over laboratory assistants. General direction is received from a medical examiner or program director.

Examples of duties characteristic of positions in this class:

1. Recommends exposure standards for toxic substances; provides professional advice and information on occupational illnesses or deaths to medical professionals and courts of law.
2. Performs a variety of laboratory tests involving highly technical procedures to determine extent of toxicity on such specimens as human or animal organs, edibles, or inorganic matter.
3. Establishes controls for laboratory tests to assure accurate data; sets up standards of procedure; performs research designed to develop more comprehensive, sensitive and reliable laboratory tests, and revises procedures as necessary. Researches existing literature and data banks, and establishes liaison with technical and research centers.

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4. Trains industrial hygienists and laboratory assistants; conducts seminars for occupational health program staff or medico-legal classes in toxicology.
5. May work closely with law enforcement officers to provide laboratory data used in the prosecution of criminal cases; testify in court on laboratory findings and render opinions as expert evaluator on such matters as whether sufficient poison was found to produce death, whether data supports criminal charge and such other matters as may be requested by the court and within the confines of a laboratory analysis.
6. May provide professional advice and information on occupational related illnesses or deaths to private medical professionals.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in chemistry or biology with courses in pharmacology, biochemistry and analytical chemistry, and two years of related toxicological experience. A Ph.D. in toxicology, pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry or biochemistry may be substituted for experience.

General knowledge of toxicology, pharmacology, chemistry with considerable knowledge of biochemistry; ability to apply laboratory findings; ability to set up technical evaluation procedures and render official opinions and court testimony; ability to supervise technical assistants and work effectively with other professionals and officials.