Pima County
Laboratory Chemist
Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is seeking a talented Laboratory Chemist with a keen eye for detail to become part of 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, quality review of data, laboratory safety, and instrument calibration, we can use your skills as a Wastewater Laboratory Chemist in our Organic Chemistry Unit. This position plays an integral part in monitoring for volatile, semi-volatile, and pesticide contaminates in wastewater effluent and industrial discharge sites. Typical work assignments include the operation of gas chromatography and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry instruments using established Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methods, chemical extractions, and method development. The Laboratory Chemist performs chemical and microbiological lab/field analyses and testing of wastewater, groundwater, stormwater, surface water and solid and biosolid samples utilizing EPA and Arizona Department of Health (AZDHS) approved methods. Performs sophisticated chemical analysis utilizing a variety of instrumentation. Prepares and analyzes samples, processes analytical data to meet specific quality control requirements, reviews data, and prepares 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. Essential Functions: 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: Bachelors 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. 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: Experience within the last five (5) years performing laboratory analyses on water or wastewater. Experience within the last five (5) years operating, maintaining, and calibrating sophisticated lab equipment such as: Gas Chromatograph (GC), Mass Spectrometer (MS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Ion Chromatograph (IC), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), etc. Experience within the last five (5) years performing the extractions or digestions on water, wastewater, or soil samples. Experience within the last five (5) years performing method development, optimization, and implementation. Experience with data entry and review into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Experience handling and working with chemicals. Experience with/knowledge of laboratory safety and safety equipment. Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel). Selection Process: 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. Failure to maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination. 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.
Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is seeking a talented Laboratory Chemist with a keen eye for detail to become part of 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, quality review of data, laboratory safety, and instrument calibration, we can use your skills as a Wastewater Laboratory Chemist in our Organic Chemistry Unit. This position plays an integral part in monitoring for volatile, semi-volatile, and pesticide contaminates in wastewater effluent and industrial discharge sites. Typical work assignments include the operation of gas chromatography and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry instruments using established Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methods, chemical extractions, and method development. The Laboratory Chemist performs chemical and microbiological lab/field analyses and testing of wastewater, groundwater, stormwater, surface water and solid and biosolid samples utilizing EPA and Arizona Department of Health (AZDHS) approved methods. Performs sophisticated chemical analysis utilizing a variety of instrumentation. Prepares and analyzes samples, processes analytical data to meet specific quality control requirements, reviews data, and prepares 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. Essential Functions: 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: Bachelors 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. 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: Experience within the last five (5) years performing laboratory analyses on water or wastewater. Experience within the last five (5) years operating, maintaining, and calibrating sophisticated lab equipment such as: Gas Chromatograph (GC), Mass Spectrometer (MS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Ion Chromatograph (IC), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), etc. Experience within the last five (5) years performing the extractions or digestions on water, wastewater, or soil samples. Experience within the last five (5) years performing method development, optimization, and implementation. Experience with data entry and review into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Experience handling and working with chemicals. Experience with/knowledge of laboratory safety and safety equipment. Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel). Selection Process: 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. Failure to maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination. 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.