Laboratory Chemist - Organic

About the role

Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department (RWRD) is seeking a Wastewater Laboratory Chemist to join the Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Office Laboratory team. The position supports Waste Treatment Facilities by analyzing volatile, semi‑volatile, and pesticide contaminants in wastewater effluent and industrial discharge sites, operating GC and GC‑MS instruments, performing chemical extractions, and developing methods.

Pay

Hiring Range: $27.19 – $32.63 per hour (estimate of offer).
Pay Range: $27.19 – $38.06 per hour (full compensation range).

Responsibilities

• Perform sophisticated chemical and microbial analyses.
• Operate complex analytical instrumentation such as ion chromatography (IC), atomic absorption and atomic fluorescence analyzers, gas chromatograph/mass spectrometers (GC/MS), inductively‑coupled plasma/mass spectrometers (ICP/MS) and inductively‑coupled plasma/optical emission spectrometers (ICP/OES).
• Obtain water samples, operate field instrumentation, and record results.
• Prepare samples using complex chemical extraction and digestion techniques.
• Maintain manual and automated records, enter and interpret data, and prepare reports.
• Monitor laboratory data of technicians and chemists in training to validate accuracy and precision of analytical results.
• Assist Laboratory Supervisors in writing standardized operating procedures and laboratory audit procedures.
• Assist Laboratory Supervisors in training Laboratory Technicians and new staff.
• Perform routine Quality Assurance/Quality Control procedures and documentation to comply with licensure requirements of the Arizona Department of Health Services.
• Adhere to safety procedures in accordance with the laboratory’s Quality Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
• Prepare, utilize, and properly dispose of various chemical standards, solvents, reagents, and bacteriological media.
• Maintain facilities and equipment in accordance with departmental and professional standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in chemistry, microbiology, environmental science, biology, or a closely related science, and two years of professional, paid, non‑academic experience performing chemical or microbiological analysis in a laboratory setting.
• Alternatively, two years of experience with Pima County as a Laboratory Technician.
• All qualifying education and experience must be documented in the “Education” and “Work Experience” sections of the application; a resume alone is not acceptable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience (within the last five years) performing laboratory analyses on water or wastewater.
• Experience (within the last five years) operating, maintaining, and calibrating sophisticated lab equipment such as gas chromatographs, mass spectrometers, high‑performance liquid chromatographs, ion chromatographs, and inductively coupled plasma instruments.
• Experience (within the last five years) performing extractions or digestions on water, wastewater, or soil samples.
• Experience (within the last five years) conducting method development, optimization, and implementation.
• Experience with data entry and review in a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Experience handling and working with chemicals, and knowledge of laboratory safety and safety equipment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel).

Licenses and Certificates

• Valid Arizona driver’s license required at time of application and appointment.
• Subject to a 39‑month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review for county vehicle operation.
• Failure to obtain and maintain required licenses and certifications may result in termination.

Physical / Sensory Requirements

• Frequent lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects up to 75 lb.
• Action activities: bending, climbing, crawling, kneeling, reaching, squatting, stooping.
• Motion activity: grasping.
• Hearing: ability to work in noisy areas, use radios, and respond to equipment alarms.
• Speaking: clear communication in person, on the phone, and via radio.
• Vision: ability to operate motor vehicles, forklifts/power industrial equipment, and distinguish colors.

Working Conditions

• Conditions determined by the position, including laboratory environment and field sample collection.
• Compliance with safety procedures, chemical hygiene plan, and quality manual.
• Potential requirement for post‑offer physical and/or drug screening.
• Background investigation and verification of work history, education, and criminal record required.