ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST

JOB TITLE:

Environmental Chemist

JOB CLASS NUMBER:

PRF350

PAY GRADE:

G15

FLSA STATUS:

Exempt

BUSINESS UNIT NAME:

Laboratory Administration

REPORTS TO:

Environmental Laboratory Manager

SUPERVISORY WORK:

None

SUMMARY

The City of Amarillo is seeking exceptionally organized, safety minded, and analytically minded team members for the position of Environmental Chemist in support of our current and future TNI (formerly NELAC) Accredited Laboratory operations. Persons applying for this position will be responsible for daily performance of instrumental analysis of organic and inorganic constituents, detailed data review, team training, equipment/parameter implementation, and troubleshooting of complex analytical equipment. This person will support teamwork through the integral analysis of key complex analysis within reasonable turn-around times for essential data.

supervision of staff maintaining the numerous standardized documents that are essential to the performance of traceable and reproducible laboratory records. This person will support the community and public health through the meticulous evaluation of environmental data to ensure exceptional quality of laboratory data.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Analytical Analysis
  • Analyzes water, wastewater, stormwater, sludge, solid waste, soils, and hazardous unknowns for chemical, physical, and biological parameters, utilizing GCMS, Purge and Trap, GC, ICP, ICP-MS, HPLC, Ion Chromatography, IR, UV-Vis, FTIR, Turbidimeter, specific ion electrodes, pH meter, particle counter, TC/TOC UV-Persulfate, water purification systems, microscope and other lab equipment.
  • Assist in the interpretation of data and reporting to Environmental Laboratory Manager essential information pertaining to the operation of permit compliance of water and wastewater standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Compiles and interprets analytical data for permitted and non-permitted reporting.
  • Functions as a member of the City's TNI (formerly NELAC) Drinking Water Bacteriological operation.
• Troubleshooting
  • Performs maintenance for all analytical equipment including daily preventative maintenance, calibrations, maintaining service logs, and coordinating vendor on-site for preventative maintenance and/or troubleshooting.
  • Conduct independent investigations of data anomalies and navigate ambiguity in analytical results.
• Internal Support
  • Participates in City wide annual chemical inventory review and assists in preparing preliminary Tier II report generation.
  • Routinely monitors and reports on inventory for all laboratory supplies.
  • Performs credit card purchases of up to $3,000 without approval from supervisor.
  • Assists with customer complaints, giving information and direction when needed.
  • Assists with inventory and property management.
• Implementation
  • Remains continuously abreast of new or modified laboratory methodology including but not limited to EPA standards, Standard Methods revisions, ASTM, and applicable laboratory reference methods.
  • Creates and reviews technical standard operating procedures.
  • Develop and improve analytical methods as needed.
  • Perform key functions for new instrument implementation methods within the laboratory using reference method and future accreditation criteria.
• Professional Development
  • Operates as a key member of new hire training plans by creating support materials such as SOPs and development of key training functions to support lab expertise.
  • Performs all cross-training of upper-level analysis for Analytical Chemist advancement.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in one of the Physical Sciences, Chemistry preferred, and a minimum of four years of analytical chemistry laboratory experience, including GC-MS, Purge and Trap, and/or ICP-MS instrumentation preferred. Possession of a Master’s Degree may be substituted for one year of laboratory experience. Must work to possess a Grade “B” license in both Water and Wastewater license. Grade “A” Water and Wastewater license, preferred. Must register as a Technical Manager for Chemical Analyses Testing with TCEQ in support of NELAC Accreditation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to operate all analytical and other equipment consistent with the operation of a modern, full service environmental laboratory, including but not limited to ICP, UV/VIS, IC, HPLC, IR, GC’s, TOC, PC’s, Purge and Trap, CLS, GC/MS/FTIR, Autoclave, PH Meter, Specific Ion Electrodes, Water Purification System, Microscope and other laboratory equipment.
• Ability to create and operate data entry spreadsheets and operate within a LIMS platform.
• Ability to operate computers for data entry and word processing.
• Ability to operate and repair misc. laboratory equipment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skill.
• Ability to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.

ADA PROFILE

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The employee must also walk, balance, climb, crawl, crouch, stand, kneel, stoop, sit, hear, feel, finger, grasp, handle, pull, push, reach, speak, see, and talk. Also requires the ability to make rational decisions and perform repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is mostly in an indoor laboratory setting with mandatory use of essential PPE. The employee works in a dynamic environment that requires being sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs. Must be able to work in a laboratory setting where observation and workplace safety are considered priority.

APPROVALS

Incumbent:

Date:

Supervisor:

Date:

Department Head:

Date:

Division Director:

Date:

HR Director:

Date:

EFFECTIVE DATE:

5/23/05

DATES MODIFIED:

6/13, 7/8/16

The City of Amarillo is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages applications from eligible and qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law.

The City of Amarillo provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case by case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 806-378-4294.