Chemist

Salary : $60,613.00 - $78,797.00 Annually
Location : City of Yuma, AZ
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026 - 00231
Department: Utilities
Division: Wastewater Laboratory-56
Opening Date: 10/08/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt


Summary
**Open until filled with a 1st review date of October 19, 2026**

Are you looking to join a team that values Professionalism, Accountability, Integrity, and Responsiveness? Do you want to be a part of a strong team dedicated to serving our community, building relationships, and creating opportunities? Then this might be the opportunity for you!
We are looking for someone to join Team Yuma as a Chemist working with the City of Yuma Utilities Department - Wastewater Laboratory Division. The ideal candidate will be an experienced W/WW laboratory professional with strong analytical and regulatory knowledge, attention to detail, and the ability to provide technical guidance and support to the laboratory team.
Under general supervision, performs skilled technical and professional duties in the environmental laboratory; tests and analyzes water, wastewater, biosolids, and industrial discharges for the City's Water and Wastewater (W/WW) treatment systems and operating plants; assures work is in compliance with state and Federal environmental regulations and standards, and City policies, procedures and goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs professional level chemical, physical and microbiological analyses of W/WW from various sources in accordance with state and Federal laws and regulations, and City policies and procedures.
• Performs quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) and data management functions; develops and updates standard operating procedures, and QC/QA manual and training materials; validates data and corrective actions; maintains computer data bases and spreadsheets for analytical data.
• Reviews, and interprets regulatory rules for drinking water, wastewater, biosolids, analytical analysis procedures, and laboratory licensure.
• Maintains inventory of laboratory supplies.
• Interprets a variety of laboratory test results, and assists in the preparation and submittal of analytical and compliance reports for Federal and State regulatory agencies.
• Provides training and technical assistance for Laboratory Analysts in the performance of daily work assignments; verifies employees follow safety protocols, and properly maintain equipment and facilities.
• Prepares laboratory for operation, including maintenance and calibration of laboratory instrumentation.
• Collects and prepares water, wastewater, and other environmental samples for laboratory analysis.
• Assists in the development of new analytical methodology; and reviews and updates existing methods.
• Responds to customer inquiries and complaints.
• Provides technical assistance to W/WW operations staff; supervises Laboratory in absence of Laboratory Supervisor.
• Supports the relationship between the City and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, vision, values and the "Yuma Way", and complies with all City policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines
Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Microbiology, or related field; AND four years of W/WW analytical laboratory experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge of:

• City policies and procedures.
• Principle of biology, microbiology, chemistry and environmental science.
• Federal and State regulations for water, wastewater and biosolids, including United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES), Aquifer Protection Permits (APP) and biosolids compliance standards.
• Laboratory certification standards for the Arizona Department of Health Services.
• Principles and techniques of bacteriology and chemistry laboratory procedures, including calibration and maintenance of specialized laboratory instrumentation.
• Water/Wastewater treatment plant operations and procedures.
• Safe work practices, occupational hazards and safety precautions in a laboratory environment.

Skill in:

• Interpreting and applying technical standards and procedures, Federal and state rules and regulations, and City policies and procedures.
• Observing, comparing, and monitoring data to determine compliance with state and Federal standards.
• Performing laboratory techniques according to standardized methods and procedures for a variety of physical, chemical, and biological parameters in accordance with Federal and State standards.
• Collecting and analyzing technical data, performing mathematical and statistical calculations, and preparing quality control charts.
• Preparing analytical and regulatory reports.
• Safely utilizing specialized laboratory and sampling equipment, and laboratory instrumentation.
• Promoting and enforcing safe work practices.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers, and representatives from other local, state and Federal agencies.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
A valid Arizona State Driver's License is required. Specific technical training and certifications may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed on location at City W/WW plants and in the field, with moderate physical requirements; may be exposed to safety hazards, and dangerous tools, equipment, pathogens, and chemicals. Full manual dexterity and visual acuity is required for laboratory work.
The City of Yuma offers the following benefits to Full-time City employees:

*ARIZONA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM (ASRS) - City employees are automatically enrolled in the Arizona State Retirement System. Employees contribute 11.87% (pre-tax) and the City contributes 11.87% of employee gross wages through automatic deduction. Should an employee terminate City employment, the ASRS funds may be withdrawn or remain until retirement. Contributions to the ASRS are in addition to FICA (Social Security taxes).

*LONG TERM DISABILITY (LTD) - Included through the Arizona State Retirement System. Employees contribute .11% and the City contributes .11% of employee gross wages. LTD contributions are in addition to FICA (Social Security taxes).

*SHORT TERM DISABILITY
The City provides short-term disability coverage at no cost to the employee. Short-term disability replaces part of your income if you can't work for a short time due to a covered disability.

*SOCIAL SECURITY & MEDICARE - Employees pay a contribution into the Social Security & Medicare System.

*WORKER'S COMP. - Insurance coverage for medical expenses and loss of income due to an on-the-job injury is provided by the City of Yuma for all employees.


*UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE - Employees are covered by Unemployment Insurance.

*MEDICAL, DENTAL, and VISION INSURANCE - The City of Yuma is proud to provide medical, dental and vision insurance for its employees which is administered by the Yuma Area Benefit Consortium. Employees may choose from two traditional PPO plans or a High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account. Dependent premiums are paid one month in advance and are pre-taxed (unless waived). Additional information regarding medical, dental and vision benefits may be requested from the City's Human Resources Department.


*LIFE INSURANCE - The City provides a life insurance policy for employees in an amount that is equal to your annual salary. An Accidental Death and Dismemberment rider is also included for an equal amount. Employees may elect, at their cost, additional life insurance for up to 5X their annual salary. Various voluntary insurance policies are available at your cost and may be set up as an automatic payroll deduction. Information is available from the City's Human Resources Department.

*FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT - The plan establishes a reimbursement account, which is designed to provide you with a means of paying for certain medical, dental, vision, and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. The amount you designate is subtracted from your earnings before taxes and is deposited in your flexible spending account. As a new employee you have 30 days from your hire date to enroll.

*EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - Provides free counseling sessions for employees and family members, as well as a 24-hour crisis line for emergencies.

*COMPENSATORY LEAVE (COMP. TIME) - Paid leave that an employee has elected to accrue in lieu of overtime payment.

*GENERAL LEAVE - This leave is available for all regular full-time and regular part-time employees. General Leave is paid leave for an employee's personal time off. General Leave can normally be used 90 days after your hire date. General Leave accrual varies by the employee's years of service and employment status.

• 0 to 5 years = 6.14 hours per pay day or 153.5 hours annually
• 5 to 10 years = 7.74 hours per pay day or 193.5 hours annually
• 10 to 15 years = 8.06 hours per pay day or 201.5 hours annually
• 15 to 20 years = 8.7 hours per pay day or 217.5 hours annually
• 20+ years = 9.34 hours per pay day or 233.5 hours annually

*SICK LEAVE - Employees are eligible to utilize paid sick leave immediately following 90 calendar days from their date of hire. July 1 of each year, employees will have 40 hours of sick leave added to their sick leave bank. New employees will have 40 hours of sick leave added to their sick leave bank on their date of hire.

*PAID PARENTAL LEAVE
The City provides up to 4 weeks of paid parental leave to employees following the birth of an employee's child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or foster care.

*HOLIDAYS - The City recognizes 12 holidays per year. Holiday pay is at eight hours per holiday.

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
• President's Day (third Monday in February)
• Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day (First Monday in September)
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day After Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day
• Additional Day in conjunction with Christmas

*DEFERRED COMPENSATION - Employees may participate in a tax-sheltered Annuity Plan (457 Plan) through payroll deduction to provide additional retirement income.


*TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
The City provides eligible employees tuition reimbursement for undergraduate and graduate level courses. Eligible full-time employees may receive up to a maximum of $3,500 per calendar year.

*SMOKE-FREE WORK ENVIRONMENT - The City prohibits smoking in, and within a reasonable distance of, all buildings used by the City for the conduct of City business or buildings or facilities used or occupied as workspace by City employees. This includes City owned and operated vehicles. This policy applies to all City employees, volunteers, citizens, and other persons entering or using City owned or operated facilities and/or vehicles.
01


By marking "Yes", I understand that my answers to the supplemental questions must be verifiable in the education and/or work experience section of my job application.

• Yes
• No

02


What is your highest level of education?

• Master's Degree or higher
• Bachelor's Degree
• Associate's Degree
• High school diploma or GED
• None of the above

03


Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Microbiology, or related field?

• Yes
• No

04


If you answered "Yes" to the question above, what field of study is your degree? If you answered "No", please enter N/A
05


Do you have four years of W/WW analytical laboratory experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience? (Must be verifiable in the education and/or work experience section of my job application)

• Yes
• No

06


Do you have experience as an analyst with any of the following? Please,mark all that apply. ( Must be verifiable in the education and/or work experience section of the application)

• Environmental laboratories
• Testing and analyzing water
• Testing and analyzing wastewater
• Biosolids
• Industrial discharges
• None of the above

07


A valid Arizona State Driver's License WILL BE required at the time of hire. Do you possess a valid Driver's License or are you able to obtain one?

• Yes, I possess a valid Arizona State Driver's License.
• Yes, I possess a valid Driver's License from a state other than Arizona AND I agree to obtain a valid Arizona State Driver's License by the time of hire.
• No, I do not have a valid Driver's License and/or I'm unable to obtain a valid Arizona State Driver's License as required.

Required Question