Laboratory Chemist

Job Description Summary
Department - Regional Wastewater ReclamationJob Description

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 5548 - Laboratory Chemist

Salary Grade: 11

Pay Range

Hiring Range: $26.03 - $31.23 Per Hour

Pay Range: $26.03 - $36.43 Per Hour

Range Explanation:

• Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
• Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position.

Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is seeking a detail-oriented, talented professional to join our Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Office (CRAO) Laboratory team.If you care about public health and the environment, and have experience in laboratory water analysis, field methods for water analysis, microbiological testing, or water sampling, we can use your skills to assist us as a Wastewater Laboratory Chemist. Typical work assignments include collecting samples from water reclamation facilities, chemical handling, accurately making standards and reagents, and analysis of water samples by methods including titration, spectroscopy, gravimetric analysis, and others.The CRAO laboratory is a state-of-the-art environmental laboratory with 31 staff members that provides data with integrity for regulatory compliance purposes.

The Laboratory Chemist performs chemical and microbiological lab/field analyses and testing of wastewater/groundwater/stormwater/surface water and solid/biosolid samples utilizing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Arizona Department of Health (AZDHS) approved methods. You will perform sophisticated chemical analysis utilizing a variety of instrumentation, prepare and analyze samples, process analytical data to meet specific quality control requirements, review data, and prepare reports in compliance with licensure requirements of local, state, and federal regulatory agencies. Provides training to other analysts when directed and leadership to Laboratory Technicians. Attention to detail and strong ethics are necessary for working in a compliance laboratory.

Work hours are day shift, 4 days per week - rotating days including some weekends/holidays.

Essential Functions:

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department's needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Performs sophisticated chemical and microbial analyses;
• Operates complicated analytical instrumentation such as ion chromatography (IC), atomic absorption and atomic fluorescence analyzers, gas chromatograph/mass spectrometers (GC/MS), inductively-coupled plasma/Mass spectrometers (ICP/MS), and inductively-coupled plasma/optical emissions spectra (ICP/OES);
• Obtains water samples, operates field instrumentation, and records results;
• Prepares samples for testing using complex chemical extraction and digestion techniques;
• Maintains manual and automated records and logbooks, enters and interprets data, and prepares reports;
• Monitors laboratory data of technicians and chemists in training to validate the accuracy and precision of analytical results;
• Assists Laboratory Supervisors in writing standardized operating procedures and laboratory audit procedures;
• Assists Laboratory Supervisors in training Laboratory Technicians and new staff;
• Performs routine Quality Assurance/Quality Control procedures and documentations to comply with licensure requirements with the Arizona Department of Health Services;
• Adheres to safety procedures in accordance with the laboratory's Quality Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan;
• Prepares, utilizes, and properly disposes of various chemical standards, solvents, reagents, and bacteriological media;
• Maintains manual and automated laboratory records and logbooks for test methods and quality control measures as required by regulatory standards;
• Maintains facilities and equipment in accordance with departmental and professional standards.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in chemistry, microbiology, environmental science, biology, or other closely related science as determined by the department head, AND two years of professional-level, paid, non-academic experience performing chemical or microbiological analysis in a laboratory setting.

(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

OR:

Two years with Pima County as a Laboratory Technician.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):

• Experience within the last five (5) years performing standard laboratory tests or instrumental laboratory analyses on water, wastewater, and solid samples.
• Experience, within the last five (5) years, collecting water/wastewater samples in the field and performing field methods (pH, DO, chlorine, and temperature).
• Experience, within the last five (5) years, performing microbiological analyses and laboratory techniques (e.g. Total Coliform, Fecal Coliform, E. Coli, aseptic technique, use of an autoclave).
• Experience, within the last five (5) years, performing gravimetric residue analyses (TSS, TS, TVSS, TVS, and TDS).
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel).
• Experience with/knowledge of handling and working with hazardous chemicals.
• Experience with peer reviewing data or reviewing/updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Experience with/knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems.

Selection Procedure:
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental Information:

Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant's suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services' review and approval of the candidate's driving record.

Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Some positions may carry the risk of exposure to infectious disease, asbestos, or wastewater and sewage products; therefore, special medical screening prior to or during employment may be necessary to ensure employee health and safety.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position.

Working Conditions: Working conditions will be determined by position.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.