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City and County of San Francisco

Supervising Chemist (2488) SFPUC (U00041)

City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199

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Position Overview Department:

Citywide

Job class:

2488 – Supervising Chemist

Salary range:

$153,192.00 – $186,238.00

Role type:

Permanent Civil Service (What does this mean?)

Hours:

Full-time

Exam type:

Class Based Test

Rule:

Rule of 10

List type:

Combined Promotive and Entrance

This is a Citywide Exam

San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the frontier of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts and entertainment, and social change. Our commitment to heightening the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and Bay Area residents drives our mission.

About SFPUC San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is headquartered in San Francisco and employs 2,300 staff across eight counties, serving more than 2.7 million customers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Mission:

To provide our customers with high‑quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.

Vision:

We are an innovative utility leader recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness.

Application Details Application opening: 12/11/2025

Application deadline: 01/08/2026

Reference: REF56093V

Contact: ihankins@sfwater.org

Note: Submit applications online only; no other methods accepted.

Role Description Under general direction, Supervising Chemists for the Water Quality Division (WQD) supervise environmental laboratory professionals in the chemical, biological, and physical analysis of water, wastewater, and diverse environmental matrices. WQD operates five California State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) accredited laboratories across the SFPUC’s Upcountry, Regional, and Local Water Systems. Within our Laboratory Section’s Quality System, Supervising Chemists provide administrative and technical support, validate and release analytical data, coordinate special studies and projects for compliance planning and monitoring, and develop and implement quality assurance activities.

Work Location & Hours Positions at 1000 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030, or at the Moccasin location.

Full‑time, Monday‑Friday; weekends in emergencies affecting water quality.

Essential Duties

Assign and evaluate the work of chemists and technicians in delivering water quality for an assigned section; prepare performance appraisals and develop work plans; take corrective action to resolve deficiencies.

Provide training and orientation on laboratory procedures, bureau policy, and laboratory safety; arrange technical training and professional development.

Develop work plans for an assigned section; schedule and establish timelines for goals and objectives; evaluate group performance measures and adherence to schedules and policies.

Direct, implement, and monitor the laboratory quality assurance program; review and validate analytical data; ensure data meets acceptance and reporting criteria.

Implement approved analytical procedures and write standard operating procedures.

Consult with water quality clients regarding analytical services; organize and direct delivery; answer technical questions; represent the division and laboratory in regional monitoring meetings.

Coordinate planning and development of sample collection and monitoring procedures.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Business Unit Includes

Prepare budget requests and recommend major purchases; participate in policy development; develop and submit policies for review.

How to Qualify

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, major in chemistry or closely related laboratory science.

Eight years of verifiable laboratory experience in analytical chemistry, including at least two years in a water quality or wastewater laboratory.

Valid California driver’s license.

Desirable Qualifications

Experience in an Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) or NELAC Institute (TNI) accredited laboratory.

Knowledge of EPA‑approved methodology and QA/QC requirements.

Selection Procedures

In‑person written essay exam (100 % weighted).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Theory and principles of water and wastewater treatment, including EPA methods.

Principles of analytical, organic, and inorganic chemistry and laboratory instrumentation.

Knowledge of OSHA laboratory guidelines, QA, compliance, and laboratory policies.

Information management systems and recordkeeping.

Supervision and direction of others; corrective personnel actions.

Maintain working relationships with clients, vendors, consultants, and colleagues.

Prepare budgetary requests.

Additional Information A confidential eligible list of applicant names will be created for certification purposes only; the list will be public after it is exhausted or expired. The eligible list will be valid for 12 months and may be extended with approval.

To find other departments using this classification, see https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/documents/Forms-Documents/Position-Counts-by-Job-Codes-and-Department-FY-2022-23.pdf.

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