Salary: $56,459.26 - $72,684.37 Annually
Location : Portsmouth, VA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: FY2025-01358
Department: Public Utilities
Opening Date: 04/20/2026
Closing Date: 5/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

General Statement of the Job & Essential Functions
GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
Under general supervision, this position performs technical work in conducting chemical and bacteriological tests of water samples in support of the city's water treatment plant operations. Reports to the Water Quality Compliance Superintendent.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Conducts advanced sampling and analysis of water samples for physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters; collects, analyzes and performs tests on treated and raw water samples, and reviews data to ensure compliance with established quality assurance and quality control acceptance limits.
Performs microbiological analyses of water samples, including algae count and fecal coliform fermentation tube method; prepares chemical reagents and media, and implements state certification level for quality control procedures.
Compiles information and completes reports and correspondence; maintains detailed records and charts of required documentation as outlined in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methods; maintains data, generates reports and graphic displays; and develops charts to document quality control and instrumentation upkeep and calibration.
Maintains and troubleshoots computers throughout the plant; installs new computers and software; removes old software and hardware; prepares and records reports and test results through the use of computer and computer-driven software and maintains records of various data.
Assists with communication to various departmental and regulatory agencies, customers, vendors, instrument technicians, and other laboratories; provides assistance in the training of co-op education students; develops guidelines for laboratory procedures and creates and writes guidelines for new analyses and laboratory manuals.
Troubleshoots instrumentation or equipment for acceptable and current data limits; maintains lab and laboratory equipment; performs tests on new instruments and develops or updates standard operating procedures to comply with laboratory certification requirements; and performs routine maintenance for instrumentation or equipment as prescribed by manufacturer.
Performs other related work as required. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Knowledge of Job: Has considerable knowledge of the basic principles and practices of chemical and bacteriological analysis as related to potable drinking water and its treatment. Has considerable knowledge of the standard operations, methods and equipment utilized in testing drinking water. Has considerable knowledge of laboratory techniques, materials and equipment used in chemical and biological analysis of drinking water and raw water. Has general knowledge of chemicals and toxins affecting drinking water. Has general knowledge of organic and inorganic chemistry. Has general knowledge of federal, state and local regulations and guidelines pertaining to drinking water purification. Is able to perform accurate chemical and bacteriological tests and analysis. Is able to organize and interpret data and prepare reports. Is able to exercise initiative and independent judgment in interpreting and applying standards to a variety of work situations. Is able to instruct and supervise less experienced workers. Is able to exercise tact and courtesy in contact with the general public. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts within department and division, and with co- workers and the general public.
Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."
Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.
Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time- off requests.
Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.
Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specify decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.
Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of it. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with city policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the department.
Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all department employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the general public so as to maintain good will toward the department and project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, supervisor, professionals and the general public.
Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events.
Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements
Bachelor's degree in chemistry, Biology or a related field and 1 - 2 years of experience in chemical or microbiological laboratory work, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Graduate level coursework in microbiology is preferred.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check.
Must possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

This job is considered essential personnel and requires attendance and work during and following natural disasters and emergencies.
Physical Demands
Physical Requirements - Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and laboratory equipment including a motor vehicle, computers, copiers, microscopes, pH meters, autoclaves and scales. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are those for Medium/Light Work.
Data Conception - Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
Interpersonal Communication - Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors.
Language Ability - Requires the ability to read a variety of analytical log forms, operations reports, purchase receipts, EPA and laboratory manuals. Requires the ability to prepare analysis reports, data input forms and quality control graphs using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak with poise, voice control and confidence in dealing with the public.
Intelligence - Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form, and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Verbal Aptitude - Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including regulatory, chemistry and biological terminology.
Numerical Aptitude - Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, add and subtract, multiply and divide,

utilize decimals and percentages and understand and apply statistical calculations and theories of algebra.
Form/Spatial Aptitude - Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Motor Coordination - Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using laboratory equipment.
Manual Dexterity - Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office and laboratory equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Color Discrimination - Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
Interpersonal Temperament - Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under varied levels of stress.
Physical Communication - Requires the ability to talk and hear: (talking expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via telephone.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS

The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the city to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.
The city of Portsmouth offers a complete and comprehensive benefit package to full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, legal, Flexible Spending Accounts, basic and optional life insurance, short-term disability insurance, Virginia Retirement System (includes a mandatory 5% employee contribution), holidays, vacation, sick leave, deferred compensation plan, and Chartway Credit Union. To learn more details, visit
01

Do you have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?

02

Please select the highest level of education completed.

Less than High School
High School Diploma or GED
Some College
Associates/Vocational/Technical
Bachelor's Degree or Higher

03

Please describe your experience in public works or utility operations, working in water and wastewater treatment operations, or a related field.
04

Do you have a bachelor's degree in chemistry or biology?

05

Do you have at least 1-2 years of experience in chemical or microbiological laboratory work?

Required Question

Chemist

Chemist

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