A Chemist performs organic, inorganic, and physical chemical analyses and research studies in connection with water quality, wastewater, storm water, solid resources and industrial water treatment, and construction and maintenance materials; performs research studies using standard or innovative methods; conducts investigations, assesses hazardous waste and water quality; tests for combustion products, insulating and lubricating oil, and asphalt binder, additives, and emulsion; provides expert testimony; researches, evaluates, and summarizes scientific literature; prepares standard operating procedures (SOP) of laboratory and field instruments; reviews test results and prepares technical reports; performs thorough recordkeeping of observations and measurements; follows quality assurance and safety programs; performs routine maintenance of analytical instruments; performs specialized sampling of waters, soils, solids, air, water sediment, asphalt, and waste oil in the field; operates automated sampling equipment, flow meters, and portable analytical instruments; reviews and analyzes scientific reports and data related to environmental assessment, water quality, and public health; conducts field investigations at various project sites to design environmental studies and prepare monitoring plans, written conclusions, and recommendations; maintains inventories of chemicals, supplies, and equipment; and attends and makes technical presentations at meetings and conferences.
REQUIREMENT(S)/MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S)
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, or Chemical Engineering, with at least twenty-four (24) semester units or thirty-six (36) quarter units of college chemistry. Acceptable coursework or experience includes utilizing at least two of the following instruments:
- Flow Injection Analyzer
- Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer or Mercury Analyzer
- Multi Element Oil Analyzer
- Gas Chromatograph
- High Performance Liquid Chromatograph or Ion Chromatograph
- Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer
- Mass Spectrometer
- X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer
- UV/VIS/Fluorescent Spectrophotometer
- Dynamic Shear Rheometer
- Brookfield Thermosel System
- Bending Beam Rheometer
- Fournier -Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR)
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR)
Three (3) years of full-time paid work experience in a chemistry lab conducting chemical analysis utilizing the instruments listed above in a State accredited drinking water, wastewater, or hazardous waste laboratory may be substituted for the twenty-four (24) semester units or thirty-six (36) quarter units of college chemistry coursework.