Chemist II-61006564

About the role

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Responsibilities

• Performs analyses of biological specimens for Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defined chemical terrorism agents in support of the CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness grant program.
• Liaison with the CDC Division of Laboratory Services Areas which are currently performing this type of testing.
• Affirm full documentation of methods selected and of their validation.
• Perform qualitive and quantitative chemical analyses of and experiments with inorganic and organic substances.
• Performs high complexity analysis of clinical specimens for exposure to chemical threat agents in support of the CDC's Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement.
• Performs quantitative chemical analysis and interprets highly complex and varied analytical chemistry procedures for inorganic and organic substances.
• Conducts specimen preparation and analytical procedures for the detection and monitoring of trace levels of chemical agents associated with, but not limited to chemical terrorism and incidental exposures.
• Chemical threats include, but are not limited to blistering agents, cyanide, heavy metals, nerve agents, ricin, and Lewisite.
• Performs analytical procedures using Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), Liquid Chromatography–Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LC-ICP-MS), and/or High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS).
• Develop, validate, and implement CDC approved chemical toxic agent methods in the areas of chemical terrorism and biomonitoring/biosurveillance.
• Perform scientific mathematical calculations, prepare reports, and effectively communicate data/results to colleagues and stakeholders.
• Strictly adhere to and maintain Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) protocols and all safety regulations.
• Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting of analytical instrumentation and equipment.
• Learn and utilize LIMS and other software used by the Public Health Laboratory.
• Work closely with senior chemists on method selection, development, and improvement projects.
• Maintain a clean lab and work environment.
• Monitor supply inventories and expendables.
• Periodically attend meetings, trainings, and conferences related to work.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in chemistry and experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in operating and interpreting test results from complex analytical instrumentation such as gas, ion or liquid chromatographs or atomic absorption spectrophotometers; or a bachelor's degree in the natural sciences with academic credits in chemistry and experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in operating and interpreting test results from complex analytical instrumentation such as gas, ion or liquid chromatographs or atomic absorption spectrophotometers.
• A doctorate in chemistry may be substituted for the required work experience.
• Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in chemistry and three (3) years of relevant work experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in Mass Spectrometry.
• A bachelor's degree in the natural sciences with a minimum of sixteen (16) academic credits in chemistry and five (5) years of relevant work experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in Mass Spectrometry.
• Experience using GC/MSD, LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, and/or HRMS; or a bachelor's degree in the natural sciences with a minimum of sixteen (16) academic credits in chemistry and five (5) years of relevant work experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in Mass Spectrometry.
• Experience using GC/MS, LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, and/or HRMS.
• Ability to train personnel, work extended hours/weekends/holidays during emergency situations and exercises, make visual observations of specimens, reports, etc.
• Must be able to follow and adhere to all safety protocols.
• Ability to bend, climb, and stoop in order to work on laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
• Must be able to lift 30 lbs.

Skills

• Scientific mathematical calculations.
• Report preparation.
• Data communication.
• Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) protocols.
• Analytical instrumentation and equipment operation.
• Method development.
• Public health policies and procedures.
• Grant writing and budget preparation.

Benefits

• 15 days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
• 15 days Sick Leave per year
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices