Chemist 2

Salary: $60,538.00 - $92,010.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-56676-15130
Department: Department of Environmental Protection
Division: EP Bur Labs
Opening Date: 08/24/2026
Closing Date: 9/6/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 15130
Position Number: 00102778
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B4
Pay Group: ST07
Bureau / Division Code: 00351500
Bureau / Division: Bureau of Laboratories
Worksite Address: 2575 Interstate Drive
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17110
Contact Name: Alison Zener
Contact Email: [click to reveal email address] View email address on us.fitly.work

THE POSITION
Step into a role where science meets real-world action! As a Chemist 2 with the Department of Environmental Protection, you help protect communities by carrying out important environmental testing. You work with advanced tools, support emergency response, and make a direct impact on public health. This position offers a meaningful career built on hands-on learning and service. Apply today for an opportunity to grow professionally while supporting environmental protection efforts!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position carries out laboratory and field analysis to support environmental programs and emergency response activities. The work helps ensure accurate and timely chemical evaluation across many situations. As a Chemist 2, you will perform the following duties:

• Mobile Unit Operations: Operate and help maintain the Mobile Analytical Unit during routine and emergency situations
• Sample Analysis: Analyze air and other sample matrices using approved procedures and methods
• Training Support: Guide and assist other analysts in learning proper sample techniques and procedures
• Instrumentation Use: Use and maintain specialized instruments, record results, and prepare required documentation
• Quality Control: Apply quality assurance practices, as well as help lead calibration and record keeping efforts
• Safety Practices: Follow and promote safe handling, labeling, and disposal of hazardous materials

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.
• Travel is required.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• 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 three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Condition of Employment:

• This position requires possession of a valid Pennsylvania driver's license.

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.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short !
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our

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

Condition of Employment - Do you possess a current driver's license which is not under suspension?

• Yes
• No

02

If you answered yes to the above question, please provide your driver's license number and expiration date. If you answered no, type N/A in the text box below.
03

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

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

• Yes
• No

06

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.
07

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. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit and click on Other Information.

• Yes
• No

08

If you answered "Yes" to the above question, what date do you expect to receive your degree? If you answered "No", type N/A in the text box below.
09

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

10

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 OR initiate corrective actions.
• C. I have experience maintaining records of sample chain of custody and documentation of analytical work processes OR initiating related corrective actions.
• D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to forensic chemistry (involving quality assurance procedures) with associated lab work.
• E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

11

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. Your experience related to reading, interpreting, and implementing quality assurance procedures.
3. Your experience related to maintaining records of sample chain of custody and documentation of analytical work processes or initiating corrective action.
4. The actual duties you performed and your level of responsibility.

12

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

13

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - PREPARE SAMPLES AND PERFORM CHEMICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS USING GC-MS
Prepare and perform laboratory analysis on environmental samples including drinking water, non-potable water, soil, pure products, etc., using chemical and physical techniques. Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot Gas Chromatograph with Mass Spectrometer. Prepare reagents and standard solutions.

Levels of Performance

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

• A. I have experience PREPARING environmental samples, reagents, AND standard solutions using chemical or physical techniques, AND ANALYZING environmental samples via Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer. I have experience operating, maintaining, AND troubleshooting a Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer.
• B. I have experience PREPARING environmental samples, reagents, OR standard solutions using chemical or physical techniques, AND ANALYZING environmental samples via Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer. I have experience operating, maintaining, OR troubleshooting a Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer.
• C. I have experience PREPARING environmental samples, reagents, OR standard solutions OR ANALYZING environmental samples. I have experience operating, maintaining, OR troubleshooting a Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer.
• D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, or instrumental chemistry.
• E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

14

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 of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The type(s) of samples you prepared or analyzed.
3. The name of the analysis method(s) you performed.
4. The instrument(s) you used.
5. The actual duties you performed and your level of responsibility.

15

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

16

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - WRITTEN COMMUNICATION Write 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 writing materials or reports including 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 writing PORTIONS OR SECTIONS of materials or reports including results of laboratory analyses and examinations, 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 successfully completed college-level coursework related to technical writing or report writing.
• D. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

17

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 of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The actual duties you performed related to writing materials or reports.
3. The topic(s) of the material you prepared.
4. Your level of responsibility.

18

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

19

WORK BEHAVIOR 4 - 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.
• B. I have experience performing on-site evaluations, internal audits, or assessments of NON-ENVIRONMENTAL analytical analyses and laboratory procedures.
• C. I have successfully 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.

20

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 of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The actual duties you performed related to performing evaluations, audits, or assessments.
3. The type(s) of analyses or laboratory procedures.
4. Your level of responsibility.

21

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

22

WORK BEHAVIOR 5 - METHOD IMPROVEMENT
Implement method improvements to meet the needs of laboratory clients based on the review and application of scientific and accreditation literature, vendor publications, and published methods 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 by reviewing and applying scientific and accreditation literature, vendor publications, or published 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.

23

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

Required Question