Chemist I

Chemist I, Bureau of Water Resource Information

The St. Johns River Water Management District is an environmental agency whose work is focused on ensuring a long-term supply of drinking water, and to protect and restore the health of water bodies in the District’s 18 counties in northeast and east-central Florida.

Enjoy work-life balance in a professional culture with competitive pay and benefits.

Job Summary:

Entry level professional work involving routine chemical analysis and operation of analytical equipment in an environmental analytical chemistry laboratory

Job duties include:

• Performs routine chemical analysis of water quality samples using District approved methods and instrumentation such as auto analyzers, titrimetric, direct reading, and spectrophotometric instruments; prepares reports, maintains records, and monitors backlog for the assigned analyses; prepares reagents and standards needed to conduct assigned analyses; creates an electronic queue from Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and stages samples for analyses with extreme precision; loads data to LIMS using LIMS application and Excel spreadsheet applications.
• Documents quality control, quality assurance, historical trend analysis, and independent parameter relationships for assigned analyses by using Excel spreadsheets, LIMS application, and compliance management software.
• Performs and documents routine maintenance and troubleshooting procedures for assigned instruments; interacts with vendor as necessary to troubleshoot instrumentation.
• Organizes incoming samples and reconciles samples versus electronic sample lists within LIMS with extreme precision; utilizes Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) software to log in samples, records sample preservations, and enters sample data; reviews and corrects field data reports; distributes incoming samples to appropriate laboratory workstations.

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in chemistry, biology, limnology, botany, zoology, environmental science, or related field. Chemistry is preferred.

Comparable professional experience can substitute on a year-for-year-basis for the required college education

SJRWMD has determined this to be a mandatory-testing position as described in Section 440.102, Florida Statutes. Any offer of employment for a mandatory-testing position will be contingent upon successfully passing a drug screening paid for by SJRWMD. The SJRWMD Drug Free Workplace Policy is available for review in the Careers section at

Working Conditions:

Work in lab wearing lab coat, gloves and eye protection as required by Chemical Hygiene Plan and Standard Operating Procedures; may stand for prolonged periods of time, performs tasks with equipment set-up in a fume hood; lift and carry heavy packages and coolers, safely manage toxic and hazardous chemicals.

Additional Details:

Starting Salary Range: $46,800.00 - $58,489.60

Starting salary is based on qualifications and experience.

Benefits include Florida Retirement System, paid parental leave, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability, paid leave and holidays, professional development, wellness program and eligible for public service student loan forgiveness program.

Your application will receive careful consideration and, if selected for an interview, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment. St. Johns River Water Management District participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.

Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans will receive preference in employment and are encouraged to apply.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans’ Preference/Drug-Free and Tobacco-Free Workplace

Location: Palatka

Closing Date: October 15, 2026