Agency Information

The Texas Department of Agriculture¿s (TDA) Agriculture & Consumer Protection Division administers consumer protection programs which includes overseeing items like grocery store scales, egg quality, nursery products, licensing and training pesticide applicators, worker protection and registering pesticides for sale. TDA¿s consumer protection efforts promote success, unity and prosperity for the people of Texas.

Job Description

WHAT YOU¿LL DO
The Toxicologist will perform advanced toxicology work for the Agriculture and Consumer Protection (ACP) Division of the Texas Department of Agriculture. Work involves evaluating, analyzing and making sound recommendations based upon the presence of pesticides in soil, water and air to contribute to the prevention of unreasonable or adverse effects to human health from exposure to pesticides, and manage environmental projects. You will work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Duties

Evaluate chemical exposure and toxicity; analyze and interpret environmental data on pesticides in food, soil, water and air as it relates to federal regulations concerning pesticide registration, use and disposal; and make sound recommendations to prevent unreasonable adverse effects to human health and the environment.

Provide technical assistance for Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) employees and other state, federal and private sources concerning the potential health effects of pesticides, especially advise management and the public on issues of food safety.

Develop multimedia pesticide risk assessment strategies to evaluate and communicate potential hazards to human health.

Perform in-depth scientific reviews and coordinate interagency health and pesticide monitoring projects.
Serve as an expert on human health issues; conduct case reviews and other special projects; and prepare reports, factsheets and other documents on the nature and degree of health impact resulting from the use and/or misuse of pesticides.

Review interagency project contracts and contribute to the design of field studies to evaluate health risks of pesticides.
Remain abreast of new technical, scientific and legislative information on all areas of pesticide issues and risk assessment.

Maintain and update the pesticide database and perform research/review on health effects of pesticides used in Texas.

Assist in reviewing precautionary pesticide labeling and farm worker safety laws and procedures, ensuring the use of restrictions.

Serve as an expert toxicologist and risk assessor in agency/court hearings on the nature and degree of hazards to human health, domestic animals and non-target organisms resulting from exposure to pesticides and consulting with legal staff as appropriate.

Attend committee meetings and forums on human health/environmental issues, and make presentations, as required. Participate in pesticide inspector training and public outreach programs.

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To be considered for the position, applicants must submit a State of Texas Application through CAPPS or WIT ¿ experience listed on the CAPPS application must state how each of the following qualifications are met:

Ph.D., degree with specialization in pharmacology/toxicology and coursework in risk assessment principles, environmental or occupational health, pesticide and/or chemical regulation and policy.

Work experience comprehending and interpreting clinical findings and laboratory data to evaluate potential health hazards from exposure to pesticides.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Knowledge of the standard principles and methods of toxicology and chemical laboratory procedures; of conducting, analyzing, evaluating, interpreting and summarizing chemical toxicity research as evidenced by research publications; of various toxicological data requirements for product registration, toxicity study design, safety assessment evaluation, and field and laboratory procedures for toxicity testing.

Skill in the operation of laboratory equipment and in the use of a computer and applicable software.

Ability to initiate, plan, develop, interpret, and conduct risk assessments and evaluations of toxicological information; to determine the health risks associated with public and environmental exposure to toxic substances; to provide expert testimony; to conduct surveys; to perform investigative research and studies; to analyze environmental samples; to prepare reports; to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; and to exercise sound judgment and discretion; and to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

Working Conditions

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions: Normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Must be able to work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel, occasionally overnight. Occasionally involves field visits to make observations and monitor/collect data on pesticide use, disposal, etc. May involve travel (up to 20%*), occasionally overnight.

Benefits

The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:

Retirement Plan

Paid Group Health & Life Insurance for employees

Paid Holidays

Paid Vacation Leave

Paid Sick Leave

Longevity Pay

Dental

Vision

Dependent Optional Life Insurance

Voluntary AD&D Insurance

Dependent Health & Life Insurance

Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts

Additional Information

Telework & Work Hours
The agency does not offer telework. TDA employees are required to be physically present for work.

The agencys core business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. TDA also provides limited customer service between 6:00-8:00 a.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m.

H-1B Visa Sponsorship
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Background Checks
A criminal conviction records check is required for applicants who are selected for a position.

*A valid government-issued driver¿s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver¿s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day

Foreign Credentials
Upload an evaluation of your coursework if you have obtained a degree(s) from a school outside of the United States; otherwise, we cannot give you credit for your degree. Some organizations that provide evaluation services are:

Foreign Credential Services of America
1910 Justin Lane, Austin, TX 78757-2411
Phone: 512-459-8428

SpanTran: The Evaluation Company
2400 Augusta Drive, Suite 451 Houston, TX 77057
Phone: 713-266-8805

Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 9203 College Station, TX 77842
Phone: 512-528-0908

How to Apply

Apply online via CAPPS . Applicants applying through Work In Texas (WIT) will be required to complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in the CAPPS Career Section to be considered for the position.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity.

TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Contact Information

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted at the time of the interview.

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Careers Section , you may check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and then selecting My Submissions. To be considered for the position, applicants must complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in the CAPPS Career Section.

Reasonable Accommodations: If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview or an HR representative at 512-463-7423. Whenever possible, please give the hiring or HR representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7423 for assistance.

Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/ , https://www.onetonline.org/ , or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance in translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor¿s Office at MOS Natural Resources Codes.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-07-14

Texas Parks and Wildlife

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