Chemist 2

Salary: $60,538.00 - $92,010.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-56035-15130
Department: Department of Environmental Protection
Division: EP BL Organic Rdtn Biolgcl Srv
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 8/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 15130
Position Number: 00122771
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B4
Pay Group: ST07
Bureau / Division Code: 00351520
Bureau / Division: Bureau of Laboratories, Organic, Radiation and Biological Services Division
Worksite Address: 2575 Interstate Drive
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17101
Contact Name: Alison Zener
Contact Email: [click to reveal email address] View email address on us.fitly.work

THE POSITION

Are you searching for a career where you can use your laboratory skills to directly support the protection of air, water, and communities across Pennsylvania? Join the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as a Chemist 2 and help advance vital laboratory work that safeguards our valued environment. This position challenges you to apply your scientific knowledge to analyze complex environmental samples. Do not miss this opportunity to contribute to projects that support cleaner water, safer communities, and stronger environmental defenses. Apply today to play a key role in helping to ensure that important data is accurate, reliable, and ready to guide public decision making!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position focuses on analyzing environmental samples, maintaining laboratory instruments, and supporting method development for complex testing. Through your work, you will ensure that chemical data is accurate, defensible, and produced according to strict laboratory and regulatory standards. As a Chemist 2, you will perform the following duties:

• Sample Processing: Organize samples, log information, and maintain documentation to ensure proper chain of custody
• Instrument Operation: Operate chromatography and LCMSMS systems to identify analytes and evaluate raw data
• Quality Control: Review analytical results, assess data trends, and apply corrective actions as needed
• Method Development: Develop and refine testing methods for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other environmental contaminants
• Maintenance Duties: Perform routine preventive maintenance and troubleshoot issues with laboratory instruments
• Safety Compliance: Follow all laboratory safety protocols and maintain accurate records of safety checks

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time (ad hoc basis), upon successful completion of the probationary period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $60,538.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year as a Chemist 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• One year of professional chemical analytical experience, and a bachelor's degree that includes 30 credits in chemistry or biochemistry; or
• A graduate degree in chemistry.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• You must possess and maintain a REAL ID or passport for this position. Proof of possession will be needed at the time of a conditional offer of employment.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Commonwealth employees who wish to use their seniority rights must apply to the internal posting for their seniority rights to be considered.
How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

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Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.
01

Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Chemist 1 for one full year or more?

• Yes
• No

02

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
03

Do you possess one or more years of full-time professional chemical analytical experience?

• Yes
• No

04

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
05

Do possess a conferred graduate's degree in chemistry or are within 3 months of completing a graduate's degree in chemistry?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• Yes
• No

06

If you answered "Yes" to the above question, what date do you expect to receive your degree? If you answered "No" to the above question, please type "N/A" in the text box below.
07

You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.

Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.

If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our

• Yes

08

WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL
Read, interpret, and implement laboratory quality assurance procedures using standard operating procedures. Review and validate analytical data based on quality assurance and quality control requirements. Maintain records of sample chain of custody and accurate/thorough documentation of the work performed to ensure the legal defensibility of analytical results. Initiate corrective action plans as required.

Levels of Performance
Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience reading, interpreting, and implementing quality assurance procedures, maintaining records of sample chain of custody and documentation of analytical work processes AND initiating corrective actions.
• B. I have experience reading, interpreting, and implementing quality assurance procedures. I did NOT maintain records of sample chain of custody and documentation of analytical work processes nor initiate corrective actions.
• C. I have experience maintaining records of sample chain of custody and documentation of analytical work processes OR initiating corrective actions.
• D. I have successfully completed a forensic chemistry course (involving quality assurance procedures) with associated lab work.
• E. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior.

09

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. Details regarding your experience related to reading, interpreting, and implementing quality assurance procedures.
3. Details regarding your experience related to maintaining records of sample chain of custody and documentation of analytical work processes or initiating corrective action.
4. Your level of responsibility.

10

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title(s)
3. Credits/Clock Hours

11

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - PREPARE SAMPLES AND PERFORM CHEMICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS
Prepare and perform laboratory analysis on environmental samples including drinking water, non-potable water, soil, pure products, etc. using chemical, physical or instrumental techniques. Prepare reagents and standard solutions.

Levels of Performance
Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience PREPARING AND ANALYZING ENVIRONMENTAL samples, reagents, and standard solutions using chemical, physical, or instrumental techniques.
• B. I have experience PREPARING AND ANALYZING NON-ENVIRONMENTAL samples, reagents, and standard solutions using chemical, physical, or instrumental techniques.
• C. I have experience PREPARING samples, reagents, and standard solutions. I DO NOT have experience ANALYZING samples.
• D. I have completed coursework or training related to this work behavior such as environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, or instrumental chemistry, etc.
• E. I have NO experience or coursework related to this work behavior.

12

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The type(s) of samples you prepared and/or analyzed.
3. The laboratory analysis you performed.
4. The instruments you used.
5. The actual duties you performed.
6. Your level of responsibility.

13

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework or training, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University/Training Source(s)
2. Course Title(s)
3. Credits/Clock Hours

14

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - PREPARES WRITTEN MATERIAL OR REPORTS Prepare written materials or reports which may include the results of laboratory analyses and examinations, standard operating procedures, training materials, or other documents relevant to the field of chemistry.
Levels of Performance
Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience independently preparing written materials or reports which included the results of laboratory analyses and examinations, standard operating procedures, training materials or other documents relevant to the field of chemistry. I was responsible for the COMPLETE document.
• B. I have experience preparing PORTIONS OR SECTIONS of written materials or reports which included assessment of laboratory analyses and results, standard operating procedures, training materials, or other documents relevant to the field of chemistry. I was NOT responsible for the complete written document.
• C. I have college-level coursework related to this work behavior such as technical writing, report writing, etc.
• D. I have NO experience or coursework related to this work behavior.

15

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The actual duties you performed related to written materials or reports.
3. Your level of responsibility.

16

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title(s)
3. Credits/Clock Hours

17

WORK BEHAVIOR 4 - PERFORM AUDITS Perform on-site evaluations, internal audits, or assessments of environmental analytical analyses and laboratory procedures to maintain good laboratory practice and to meet certification requirements.
Levels of Performance
Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience performing on-site evaluations, internal audits, or assessments of ENVIRONMENTAL analytical analyses and laboratory procedures to maintain good laboratory practice and to meet certification requirements.
• B. I have experience performing on-site evaluations, internal audits, or assessments of NON-ENVIRONMENTAL analytical analyses and laboratory procedures to maintain good laboratory practice and to meet certification requirements.
• C. I have completed one or more of the following training courses: US EPA Certification Officer's Course for Inorganics; US EPA Certification Officer's Course for Organics; NELAP Basic Assessor Training; or Assessments for ISO/IEC 17025.
• D. I have no experience or training related to this work behavior.

18

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
2. The actual duties you performed related to performing evaluations, audits, or assessments of analytical analysis.
3. Your level of responsibility

19

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to training, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. Training Source(s)
2. Course Title(s)
3. Certification/Hours

20

WORK BEHAVIOR 5 - METHOD IMPROVEMENT
Implement method improvements to meet the needs of laboratory clients based on review of scientific and accreditation literature, vendor publications, and published methods for ways to improve the sensitivity, productivity, and accuracy of existing laboratory methods.

Levels of Performance

Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience implementing method improvements in a laboratory environment based on reviewing scientific and accreditation literature, vendor publications, and published methods for ways to improve the sensitivity, productivity, and accuracy of existing laboratory methods.
• B. I have experience implementing method improvements in a laboratory environment. I did NOT perform the literature review associated with the implementation.
• C. I have experience reviewing literature for method improvements for a laboratory environment. I did NOT implement the improvements.
• D. I have NO experience related to this work behavior.

21

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer where you gained this experience.
2. The actual duties you performed related to method improvements and reviewing literature.
3. Your level of responsibility.

Required Question