Laboratory Chemist - Regional Wastewater Reclamation

Wastewater Laboratory Chemist

Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is seeking talented people 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 to assist us as a Wastewater Laboratory Chemist. The Organic Chemistry Unit supports Pima County's Waste Treatment Facilities through the analysis of volatile, semi-volatile, and pesticide contaminants in Wastewater Effluent and Industrial Discharge Sites. Typical work assignments include the operation of GC and GC-MS instruments using established EPA methods, chemical extractions, and method development.

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:

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:

• 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, Mass Spectrometer, High Performance Liquid Chromatograph, Ion Chromatograph, and Inductively Coupled Plasma.
• 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 in a Lab Information Management System.
• Experience handling and working with chemicals.
• Experience with/knowledge of laboratory safety and safety equipment.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word & Excel).

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 require satisfactory completion of a personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems. This position will require a post-job offer physical and/or drug screen.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position. Action Activity - bending, climbing, reaching, squatting, stooping; Motion Activity - grasping; Hearing Activity - in noisy area, behind themselves, equipment alarms; Speaking Activity - in person, on the phone; Vision - may be required to operate a motor vehicle, distinguish colors, depth perception, peripheral vision. Frequently required to lift 50 pounds, push or pull objects weighing up to 75 pounds.

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.