Utility Senior Chemist

Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree or higher in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Virology, Parasitology, or a related field, and two (2) years of professional laboratory experience, including one (1) year of operating advanced spectrophotometry, chromatography, or other comparable instrumentation.

Licenses and Certificates: Valid Texas Class "C" Driver's License or equivalent from another state by the date of appointment.

Under direction, lead, coordinate, and perform complex water and wastewater testing, quality assurance, data management, and regulatory compliance functions while supporting laboratory operations, training staff, maintaining equipment and records, and ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local standards.

Lead, plan, and coordinate the collection and analysis of water and wastewater samples. Involves: Assisting in reviewing data and following up on corrective action reports. Conduct required analyses of water and wastewater samples to ensure water and wastewater quality conform to federal, state, and local standards. Perform special testing required by consultants and supervisors for special projects. Assist in coordinating and setting up water and wastewater special permits, as well as compliance sampling. Maintain records of samples collected and test results. Operate and maintain special laboratory equipment, including advanced spectrophotometry and advanced chromatography. Use a computer to analyze and maintain records of data collection, tested samples, and results. Assist staff in troubleshooting testing procedures and instruments. Operate the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Investigate and correct the problems with the LIMS. Manage system profiles, report configuration, and system errors. Assist in correcting LIMS user errors in both analysis and sample details.

Perform a range of laboratory and administrative tasks to ensure regulatory compliance, accurate water quality testing, and quality assurance. Involves: Maintain current knowledge of chemical testing equipment and procedures, and federal, state, and local legislation on water quality testing regulations and standards. Substitute for coworkers or a supervisor during temporary absences to maintain continuity of operations. Maintain records and prepare reports. Maintain the department’s inventory. Ensure good laboratory practices are being followed. Draft weekend schedule. Log in samples and print labels. Review laboratory logbooks. Assist the lead chemist in administering Quality Control Programs to include but not limited to reviewing and approving the work of other analysts. Perform data entry of external laboratory reports. Assist in developing quality control initiatives. Conduct internal audits. Assist in reviewing and interpreting methods and regulatory agency policies, codes, and regulations. Assist in developing and maintaining the Quality Assurance/Quality Control program.

Assist the lead chemist in providing support to the water and wastewater treatment facilities, industrial pretreatment, water distribution, and other public water systems. Involves: Assisting with scheduling routine and special analyses and collections; with field or plant personnel requests for instrument calibrations and sample containers, and maintaining chain of custody templates for multiple facilities and collection sites. May assist in investigations of water quality complaints.

Lead and train a group of chemists. Involves: Training and shadowing trainees during analysis, assigning proficiency testing, verifying results, and preparing the Certificate of Training. Train new personnel on the basic use of LIMS. Schedule, assign, instruct, guide, and check work. Assist in addressing challenges and developing trainee(s) skills. Assist in analyzing laboratory procedures and workflows to enhance efficiency and overall quality. Encourage continuous learning and development on testing procedures and good laboratory practices. Motivate and maintain harmony. Provide feedback to the supervisor on the chemists being led and trained. Follow and enforce safety rules and regulations.

Please note: Applicants with foreign diplomas, transcripts and degrees must have all documents translated and evaluated by an agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) prior to submitting them to the Human Resources Department. Please visit www.naces.org/members for more information.

A résumé and/or other documents will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Comments such as “See résumé” are not acceptable and will result in the application being considered incomplete.

To qualify for this position, the required education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be clearly stated on your application’s employment history. We do not use any information on your resume to review if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

Failure to fully detail all experience and job duties in the application, or copying/pasting directly from the job specification, or responses referring to your résumé will eliminate you from consideration for the position.