Senior Regulatory Toxicologist (Toxicologist 3)

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Washington Ecology Department seeks a Senior Regulatory Toxicologist (Toxicologist 3) in the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program to lead toxicology policy, evaluate priority chemicals, and guide statewide toxics-reduction initiatives.

The role directs staff, collaborates with the Department of Health, and communicates complex findings to leadership and lawmakers, shaping rulemaking and program planning with a strong focus on best-available science.

Qualifications

• Ten years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position.
• Toxicology & Public Health expertise to assess health impacts from exposures to chemicals.
• Regulatory and policy analysis of state and federal environmental laws and rules.
• Science policy support including bill analysis, testimony preparation, and strategy.
• Science communication to diverse audiences, including leaders and legislators.
• Technical leadership and work direction of staff and interagency partners.
• Hazard and risk framework development for identifying chemicals of concern.
• Research and scientific method application with evaluation of uncertainties.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level toxicological expertise and policy guidance for toxics-reduction initiatives.
• Lead the scientific framework for Safer Products for Washington by developing hazard criteria and directing research.
• Assign and review the technical work of toxicologists across agencies.
• Oversee toxicological assessments identifying exposure sources in consumer products.
• Represent Ecology in briefings, hearings, interagency meetings, and public forums.
• Analyze regulatory developments and emerging research to support policy decisions.
• Develop methodologies for evaluating chemical hazards and exposures.

Skills

Toxicology

Public Health

Regulatory Analysis

Science Communication

Leadership

Hazard & Risk Framework

Research Methods

Interagency Engagement

Job description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring aSenior Regulatory Toxicologist (Toxicologist 3) within the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program (HWTR).

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of two days per month is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by November 18, 2026.
• Applications submitted after the date above may be reviewed only if additional qualified applicants are needed.

This Senior Regulatory Toxicologist position offers a key opportunity to shape Washington’s toxics-reduction policies and advance statewide protections for human health and the environment. In this role, you will serve as the program’s senior regulatory subject matter expert, providing authoritative toxicological leadership for identifying, evaluating, and reducing threats from high-priority chemicals used in commerce. You will guide the scientific direction of the Safer Products for Washington initiative, lead complex hazard evaluations, and translate emerging toxicological research into actionable policy recommendations that support Ecology’s mission.

You will also direct the toxicology work of staff within the Toxics Awareness and Action Section and collaborate with scientific partners at the Washington Department of Health. Working closely with program leadership, you will assess the implications of emerging science, regulatory developments, and legislative proposals; communicate complex findings to technical and non-technical audiences; and help build consensus on major policy and regulatory decisions. Your work will influence statewide toxics-reduction strategies, support rulemaking and program planning, and ensure that Ecology’s actions are grounded in rigorous scientific analysis and consistent with best available science.

What you will do:

• Provide senior-level toxicological expertise and policy guidance for Ecology’s toxics-reduction initiatives, including the identification and evaluation of priority chemicals that pose the highest potential impacts to human health and the environment.
• Lead the scientific framework for Safer Products for Washington by developing hazard criteria, evaluating toxicological and exposure data, and directing research to inform statewide chemical prioritization and recommended regulatory actions.
• Assign, guide, and review the technical work of toxicologists within Ecology and the Washington Department of Health, ensuring scientific quality, consistency, and clarity across assessments and policy support.
• Conduct and oversee toxicological assessments that identify major sources of exposure in consumer products, and provide expert recommendations for regulatory options, reporting requirements, or restrictions under Chapter 70.365 RCW.
• Represent Ecology as a senior scientific expert in briefings, legislative hearings, interagency meetings, national workgroups, and public forums, communicating complex toxicological findings in clear, accessible terms.
• Analyze state and federal regulatory developments, scientific literature, and emerging research to assess implications for Washington’s toxics-reduction strategy and support program decisions, bill analysis, and testimony preparation.
• Develop and refine methodologies for evaluating chemical hazards and exposures, assess scientific rigor and uncertainty in studies, and adapt approaches used by federal agencies or other jurisdictions for application in Washington.
• Provide toxicology support for Chemical Action Plans, product testing studies, QAPP development, regulatory implementation, and compliance activities.
• Contribute to program planning and policy development by advising the Program Manager and Management Team on scientific considerations, resource needs, and long-term strategies to reduce toxic threats statewide.
• Prepare and deliver presentations, workshops, and webinars; author or co-author scientific publications; and ensure that Ecology’s scientific work is broadly accessible and accurately communicated to varied audiences.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Ten (10) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

1. Toxicology & Public Health Expertise — Ability to apply toxicology and public health knowledge to assess human and ecological health impacts resulting from exposure to priority chemicals and chemical classes, including impacts on sensitive populations and sensitive species.

2. Regulatory and Policy Analysis Skill in reviewing and interpreting state and federal environmental laws, rules, and scientific policy documents to inform program decisions and develop recommended regulatory actions.

3. Science Policy Support — Ability to identify ecological and human health risk implications of proposed legislation and regulatory developments, and to support bill analysis, testimony preparation, and agency toxics-reduction strategy.

4. Science Communication Ability to translate complex toxicological and scientific information into clear, accessible language for diverse technical and non-technical audiences, including agency leadership and legislators.

5. Technical Leadership and Work Direction Experience leading and coordinating scientific work, assigning and reviewing technical tasks, and providing expert guidance and direction to cross-disciplinary staff and interagency partners.

6. Hazard & Risk Framework Development — Ability to research, develop, and apply a hazard- and exposure-based framework for identifying and prioritizing chemicals of concern, distinct from a risk-assessment approach.

7. Research and Scientific Method Application Demonstrated competency in designing, conducting, or reviewing scientific research, evaluating uncertainties, and applying sound methodology to support hazard, exposure, or risk analyses. Ability to assess the scientific rigor, quality, uncertainty and applicability of toxicological and exposure studies to problems being addressed in Washington.

8. Interested Parties & Interagency Engagement — Ability to represent the program to the Legislature, other state and federal agencies, Tribes, and the public, including serving as agency liaison/spokesperson and building consensus among parties with diverse interests.

Education: Involving a major study in toxicology, reproductive and developmental biology, or in another health or ecological related science with a major emphasis in toxicology.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 10 years of experience.
• 9 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 8 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 7 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 6 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 4 years of experience AND a Master’s degree or above.

Desired Qualifications:

• Diplomat of the American Board of Toxicology (DABT) or similar certification – either existing or willingness to obtain certification.
• Experience in one or more of the following disciplines: chemical hazard assessments, alternatives assessments, chemical risk evaluations, exposure assessments, health impact assessments, or green chemistry.
• Experience with toxicology tools, models, and chemical data base systems (e.g. ToxCast).
• Awareness or involvement with toxicology professional organizations such as the Society of Toxicology (SOT), Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) and other professional networks.

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Our Commitment to DEIR

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

We believe thatDEIRis both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 and select #2 for Recruitment or email [e-mail]
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Kimberly Grieves at [e-mail]
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at [e-mail]

About the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program

The mission of the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction program is to protect Washington’s residents and environment by reducing the use of toxic chemicals, safely managing dangerous waste, preventing new contaminated sites, and cleaning up contamination.

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following

• Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s)
• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• Vacation, Sick, and other Leave *
• 11 Paid Holidays per year *
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Tuition Waiver
• Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Programs
• Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
• Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader)
• Combined Fund Drive
• SmartHealth *
• Click here for more information

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining:

This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

Note:

This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.