ABOLISHED 02/02/2017 PER PAY LETTER 17-11 - Chief Chemist, Pesticide Evaluation
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: BG40
Class Code: 6176
Established: 05/06/1986
Revised: --
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under general direction, as a senior scientist in the Department of Food and Agriculture, to serve as the highest level technical expert in the registration chemistry field; to review chemistry data and recommend action on pesticide registrations; to advise program management and the Director on registration chemistry issues; to provide leadership to subordinate chemists; and to do other related work.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The level of expertise required and level of responsibility assumed at this level is demonstratively greater than for other senior level scientist positions. Employees are responsible for providing leadership to the entire registration chemistry function, personally performing the most sensitive and complex evaluations, and technically reviewing and approving the work of lower level registration chemists. Subordinate chemists perform the evaluations of lesser sensitivity and/or complexity or perform portions of the more difficult evaluations. The chemistry specialty has the greatest sensitivity and volume of requests applicable to registration scientists.
Typical Tasks
As a member of a multidisciplinary team, functions as the highest level scientist in registration chemistry, responsible for consulting with and advising registration program management and the Director as an expert; when assigned, may speak publicly as an expert on registration chemistry issues and may testify as an expert in legal actions; provides expertise and leadership to the Department and subordinates by researching, compiling, assembling, and writing papers, reports, and articles; provides the highest level of expertise in evaluating and reviewing the hazard, safety efficacy, and other impact on pesticide uses.
In accomplishing this work, personally performs or guides subordinates in extensive literature research; reviews and evaluates the most sensitive and/or complex research studies provided in support of pesticide registrations to determine that the data provided are complete and meet regulatory requirements; evaluates the soundness of the research methodology and reviews data to determine that the conclusions drawn are supported by the studies; evaluates and compares studies presented against the existing literature to ensure that findings are consistent; evaluates the precautionary language for appropriate description of human and environmental hazards associated with product use; prepares technical memoranda that are included in public reports to support findings that approve or deny registration; guides and assists in developing computer processing techniques for data analysis and evaluation; writes technical reports and articles for publication; keeps records and documentation on products reviewed; maintains professional currency in the registration chemistry field through continuing familiarity with the literature and meeting with other scientists; provides information to interested parties on developing and conducting appropriate research studies; testifies as an expert witness, gives speeches and prepares correspondence.
Minimum Qualifications
Either I
One year of experience in the California state service as a Senior Pesticide Evaluation Scientist (Chemistry).
Or II
Experience: Four years of journey level professional research experience in the last six years in chemistry with emphasis in the analytical chemistry of pesticides or their environmental fate. and
Education: Possession of a Doctoral Degree or its equivalent in Chemistry from an accredited college or university. (A minimum of three years of additional qualifying experience in the pesticide chemistry discipline may be substituted for the doctoral degree. Experience in California state service applied toward this requirement must have been in a class equivalent in responsibility to Associate Pesticide Review Scientist.)
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Current research literature and trends applicable to the complex pesticide chemistry research area; principles and procedures of research planning, design methodology, analysis, and evaluation; methods of preparation of research reports; statistical methods and procedures, and data processing techniques; problems involved in bibliographic survey or previous related research; determination and qualification of variables, and evaluation and analysis of data; principles and practices of professional leadership and guidance.
Ability to: Evaluate the adequacy of complex research as to design and technique; analyze research data and reach sound conclusions; develop new or computer assisted data evaluation methods; interpret and apply registration regulations; establish and maintain cooperative relations with professional staff, officials of Federal, State and local government and university and business research organizations; communicate effectively; effectively advise management and the Director on the most complex and sensitive pesticide chemistry issues; prepare reports and articles for publication; credibly testify as an expert witness; establish and maintain work priorities; and develop and effectively use all available research evaluation resources; provide the highest level of technical leadership and professional guidance to subordinate staff.
Additional Desirable Qualifications
In appraising the relative qualifications of candidates, consideration will be given to those applicants possessing in depth knowledge of environmental and health and safety hazards of pesticides or other contaminants. A record demonstrating expertise in this specialty including publication of scientific papers, oral presentations at professional meetings, participation in seminars, etc., over and above the "MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS" will be given additional consideration.
