Chemist I-Chemistry Lab

Job Summary Department: Regional Wastewater Reclamation. Job Title: Laboratory Chemist (Classified). Salary Grade: 11. Pay Range: $26.39 - $36.95 per hour. Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is seeking a Wastewater Laboratory Chemist with experience in laboratory water analysis, quality review of data, laboratory safety, and instrument calibration to assist our Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Office (CRAO) Laboratory team.

Essential Functions Performs sophisticated chemical and microbial analyses.

Operates analytical instrumentation such as ion chromatography (IC), atomic absorption and fluorescence analyzers, GC/MS, ICP/MS, and 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 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 documentation 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 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 in chemistry, microbiology, environmental science, biology, or a closely related science.

Two years of professional-level, paid, non-academic experience performing chemical or microbiological analysis in a laboratory setting (or two years with Pima County as a Laboratory Technician).

Clear documentation of education and experience in the application.

Preferred Qualifications Within the last five years, performed laboratory analyses on water or wastewater.

Within the last five years, operated, maintained, and calibrated sophisticated lab equipment such as GC, MS, HPLC, ion chromatograph, and ICP.

Within the last five years, performed extractions or digestions on water, wastewater, or soil samples.

Within the last five years, performed 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 laboratory safety and safety equipment.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel).

Licenses and Certificates Valid driver license at time of application.

Valid Arizona driver license required at appointment.

Subject to a 39‑month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine suitability to operate county vehicles.

Physical and Sensory Requirements Requires bending, climbing, reaching, squatting, stooping.

Requires grasping, hearing in noisy areas and behind equipment alarms, speaking in person or on the phone, vision for operating a motor vehicle, distinguishing colors, depth perception, peripheral vision.

Frequently required to lift 50 pounds and push or pull objects up to 75 pounds.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement 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.

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