Salary: $57,700.00 - $61,800.00 Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: Temporary Grant - Full-Time
Job Number: 182659
Agency: SCDPH
Opening Date: 11/26/2025
Closing Date: 12/11/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: ED12
Position Number:: 61053174
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN10
Hiring Range - Min.: $57,700.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $61,800.00
Opening Date: 11/25/2025
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: If you meet the requirements of the position and would like to be considered, you must submit a state application online. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume may be uploaded for review but will NOT be used to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position or substitute for completing any section of the application. Supplemental questions are considered part of the application and must be completed. The quality of the application presented (completeness and accuracy as well as grammar and spelling) will be considered prior to the offer of an interview. A criminal records check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on the stated closing date.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Job Responsibilities
Careers at DPH: Work that makes a difference!

Embracing Service, Inspiring Innovation, Promoting Teamwork, Pursuing Excellence, and Advancing Equity
Performs high complexity analysis of clinical specimens for exposure to opioids and other drugs of abuse in support of the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Overdose Data to Action Cooperative Agreement. Performs qualitative chemical analysis and interprets highly complex and varied analytical chemistry procedures for organic substances using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Conducts specimen preparation and analytical procedures for the detection of opioids and other drugs of abuse. Drugs of abuse include, but are not limited to opioids (including fentanyl and fentanyl analogs), stimulants, and benzodiazepines.
Develop and validate analytical methods for the detection and quantification of opioids and other illicit drugs of abuse in biological samples using Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). Prepare and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), training and competency checklists, validation plans, validation reports, and other quality assurance (QA) documentation required for testing.
Document validation details in comprehensive validation summaries for laboratory management and QA review and approval. Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) in toxicology testing and analytical chemistry.
Train and mentor chemists within the Analytical Chemistry Unit on validated methods and best laboratory practices. Participate in biosurveillance research studies and method validation projects within the unit.
Compile, interpret, and report analytical data; prepare technical reports and present findings at scientific meetings and conferences. Support data submission processes for the opioid biosurveillance project by coordinating the transfer of de-identified urine samples from participating hospitals to the public health laboratory for analysis.
Perform other duties as assigned to support laboratory operations and public health biosurveillance initiatives.

Minimum and Additional Requirements
State Minimum Requirements: A bachelor's degree in chemistry and experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in operating and interpreting test results from complex analytical instrumentation such as gas, ion or liquid chromatographs or atomic absorption spectrophotometers; or a bachelor's degree in the natural sciences with academic credits in chemistry and experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in operating and interpreting test results from complex analytical instrumentation such as gas, ion or liquid chromatographs or atomic absorption spectrophotometers. A doctorate in chemistry may be substituted for the required work experience.

Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Agency Additional Requirements: A bachelor's degree in chemistry and three years of relevant work experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in Mass Spectrometry. Ability to train personnel, work extended hours/weekends/holidays during emergency situations and exercises, make visual observations of specimens, reports, etc. Must be able to follow and adhere to all safety protocols. Ability to bend, climb, and stoop in order to work on laboratory instrumentation and equipment. Must be able to lift 30 lbs.
Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.

Preferred Qualifications
Masters in chemistry with at least one year experience working with analytical instrumentation including one or more of the following: Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS),Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (QTOF), and/or High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) with emphasis on analytical and organic or inorganic chemistry or B.S. in Chemistry with at least three years of relevant work experience or B.S. in the natural sciences with five years of relevant work experience and a minimum of 16 credit hours in chemistry. A Ph.D. in chemistry or related field may be substituted for the above requirements

Additional Comments
EEO: The Department of Public Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: Applicants needing accommodation for medical reasons or a sincerely held religious belief may submit a request for accommodation. A reasonable accommodation may be granted if it doesn't impose an undue hardship or pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.

STATE DISASTER PLAN: In accordance with the State's Disaster Plan, which includes hazardous weather, Department of Public Health employees may be required to work in times of an emergency or disaster.

DRIVING RECORD: If this position requires the applicant to possess a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle, any applicant, being considered in the final stages of selection for the position will be required to provide a certified copy of a 10-year driving record.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health offers an exceptional benefits package for Temporary Grant positions that includes:

15 days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
15 days Sick Leave per year
13 Paid Holidays
Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click for additional information.
S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
Retirement benefit choices *
- State Retirement Plan
- State Optional Retirement Program

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all Temporary Grant employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.

HYBRID WORK: The option to work partially remote or adjusted work hours may be available after 12 months of employment for approved positions.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01

Do you have a bachelor's degree in chemistry and experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in operating and interpreting test results from complex analytical instrumentation such as gas, ion or liquid chromatographs or atomic absorption spectrophotometers?

02

Do you have a bachelor's degree in the natural sciences with academic credits in chemistry and experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in operating and interpreting test results from complex analytical instrumentation such as gas, ion or liquid chromatographs or atomic absorption spectrophotometers?

03

Do you have a doctorate in chemistry may be substituted for the required work experience?

04

Are you a current or former SCDPH employee?

05

Would you be willing to accept a salary within the hiring range of $57,700 - $61,800?

06

Please describe your experience working with analytical instrumentation such as Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), Gas Chromatography with Mass Selective Detector (GC/MSD), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), or High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS). Include the type of instruments you've used and the types of analyses you've performed. If you do not have any experience, please type "N/A" below.
07

Briefly describe your experience with Method Development. If you do not have any experience, please type "N/A" below.
08

Do you possess working knowledge of public health policies and procedures, including grant writing and budget preparation?

09

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. The application and not an attached resume will be reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. I have read and understand this statement.

10

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring. I have read and understand this statement.

11

If this position requires the applicant to possess a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle, any applicant being considered in the final stages of selection for the position will be required to provide a certified copy of a 10-year driving record. I have read and understand this statement.

12

How did you hear about this position?

State NEOGOV Website (jobs.sc.gov)
LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook
Employee Referral/Agency Recruiter
College Job Board
Job Fair
External Job Board (SC Works, Indeed, Association)
Other

Required Question

Chemist II-61053174

Chemist II-61053174

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