Emergency Response Toxicologist

The California Department of Public Health is seeking to fill the position of Emergency Response Toxicologist within the Center for Healthy Communities (CHC).  

About the Center for Healthy Communities:

The Center for Healthy Communities aims to strengthen state and local leadership, alignment, and partnerships through public health approaches, to drive actions that influence determinants of health, eliminate inequities, and achieve positive health outcomes.

About the Role:

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by enhancing emergency preparedness and response goals for natural disasters and hazardous materials releases, with a particular emphasis on environmental exposures and health implications. The Staff Toxicologist (Specialist) is a member of a multidisciplinary team and acts as a subject matter expert in toxicology, providing scientific evaluations, exposure and risk assessments, and technical work relating to toxicological exposures that result from environmental or occupational emergencies.

Responsibilities:

• Provides toxicological subject matter expertise, assistance, and consultation to CDPH and local jurisdictions in preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating impacts from environmental and occupational emergencies, natural disasters, and other non-infectious threats. Coordinates with federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal agencies, and other relevant stakeholders. Conducts critical reviews of health risk assessments and related documents prepared for regulatory agencies on emergency responses where there is concern about adverse impacts to human, environmental, and animal health. Engages in exposure identification, identifying chemical contaminants of concern, hazard identification, toxicity assessments, exposure assessments, and risk characterization. Evaluates environmental monitoring and sampling data to assess exposure risk and public health implications. Conducts background research on risk assessment and topics relevant to specific emergency response or recovery and develops appropriate recommendations.
• Designs, conducts, and advises on public health investigations, assessments, and evaluations of complex exposures in response to acute environmental or occupational emergencies. Develops, collaborates, and reviews reports, briefs, public outreach materials, and other public facing communications. Uses environmental, health, and other data sources to identify at-risk populations and locations for developing relevant awareness and risk reduction strategies. Supports the team in improving data streams and systems for identifying population vulnerabilities and high-hazard facilities using vulnerability indicators, hazard databases, and Geographic Information Systems. Assists with establishing case finding protocols for public health investigations following environmental incidents. Manages data collection, reporting, data management, and analysis during public health investigations. Provides technical advice on environmental and health data and methods for documenting the consequences of a hazardous materials release and identifying the source of a release. Provides consultation and recommendations related to hazard identification, toxic exposures, and health outcomes to CDPH, local health jurisdictions, other state agencies, and additional stakeholders as needed.
• Create and delivers audience-tailored presentations, trainings, reports, and other documents to government, professional, and lay audiences on toxicological concepts related to environmental and occupational emergencies. Exercises proficiency in plain language writing. Creates mitigation measures and risk management protocols for CDPH, state, local, and other agencies.
• Reviews of emergency preparedness, response, and recovery plans. Contributes to and participates in exercises designed to validate emergency plans, test resource capabilities, and identify gaps. Travels for public health investigations, rapid needs assessments, response/recovery technical assistance, training, exercises, and conferences. Participates in the Environmental & Occupational Duty Officer Program, providing technical support for emergencies, approximately 8 weeks a year. This entails 24/7 availability for response to chemical releases, coordination with appropriate authorities, providing technical support, and mobilizing resources, as necessary.
• Participates in EHIB’s Public Inquiry System and performs other job-related duties as required. Maintains ongoing training in emergency management and other related disaster topics.

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:

• Proficiency in general principles of toxicology, exposure science, public health, and risk assessment
• Familiarity with regulatory health guidance values
• Experience interpreting sampling and monitoring data and ability to clearly communicate results to different audiences
• Experience working cooperatively with outside agencies and diverse partners

The deadline to apply is August 24^th, 2026.

Link to Apply: https://bit.ly/458PVYE

Link to Minimum Qualifications: https://eservices.calhr.ca.gov/enterprisehrblazorpublic/Public/ClassSpec/ClassSpecDetail/7941

New to the State application process? To be considered for this role, you must follow the directions below. We do not accept applications from external platforms.

1. Create a CalCareer account by going to ca.gov.
2. Confirm that you meet the minimum qualifications for the position you are wanting to apply for. A link to view minimum qualifications is listed on each job posting.
3. After confirming that you meet the minimum qualifications, take, and pass the corresponding examination. Most exams are available online and can be found on CalCareers under the exam/assessment search tab.
4. Apply! Follow all directions and be sure to submit all requested documentation.

Please reach out to Apply@cdph.ca.gov with any questions.

At CDPH equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

About California Department of Public Health

At CDPH, equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do. The Human Resources Division (HRD) partners with CDPH’s programs and management to provide guidance and consultative services on HR matters that are necessary for the Department to carry out its mission to deliver quality public health services.

Connections working at California Department of Public Health