Organic Chemist

About the role

The Indiana Department of Health's mission is to promote, protect, and improve the health and safety of all Hoosiers. This role involves extracting samples and analyzing them by LC/MS/MS, performing data review and reporting, and multi-tasking.

Responsibilities

• Perform chemical and physical analysis on various clinical, food, water, environmental or other submitted materials to determine presence and/or level of contaminants or toxic substances using a variety of instruments using management approved procedures.
• Perform analysis using manual or automated instrumentation that meets CLIA, EPA, FDA and/or USDA regulations.
• Adhere to Quality Assurance guidelines.
• Maintain proficiency and technical expertise by passing Proficiency Testing (PT) samples.
• Maintain instrumentation in working order, perform preventative maintenance, and repair on laboratory equipment.
• Complete all required paperwork, maintain instrument logbook, prepare technical reports, and update standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Maintain a safe and uncluttered work area.
• Train and cross train on other analytical procedures within the laboratory.
• Meet testing personnel responsibilities according to the standard for any clinical testing.
• Initiate original applied research activities in the specialty area.
• Serve as technical expert to other agency staff in a specialty area and regarding analytical results of samples and the analytical systems used.

Requirements

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Broad knowledge of principles and practices of analytical, clinical, food, organic, inorganic or radiochemistry.
• Specialized knowledge of related scientific areas such as physics, statistics, biochemistry, and toxicology.
• Extensive technical knowledge of, and ability to operate, highly specialized laboratory equipment.
• Practical knowledge of laboratory safety.
• Knowledge of appropriate state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and policies relative to the specialty area.
• Ability to evaluate procedures and make critical comparisons of methods.
• Ability to appear in court as an expert witness.
• Ability to record technical data and produce reports in a highly regulated setting.
• Able to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to follow quality assurance requirements for producing accurate and defensible data.
• Ability to keep current on new developments in the field and determine relevance to scope of work.

Qualifications

While a degree is not required, at least 5 years of analytical chemist experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered. Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Skills

Essential skills include broad knowledge of analytical, clinical, food, organic, inorganic or radiochemistry; specialized knowledge of related scientific areas such as physics, statistics, biochemistry, and toxicology; extensive technical knowledge of, and ability to operate, highly specialized laboratory equipment; practical knowledge of laboratory safety; knowledge of appropriate state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and policies relative to the specialty area; ability to evaluate procedures and make critical comparisons of methods; ability to appear in court as an expert witness; ability to record technical data and produce reports in a highly regulated setting; ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing; ability to follow quality assurance requirements for producing accurate and defensible data; ability to keep current on new developments in the field and determine relevance to scope of work.

Benefits

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans.
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards.
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution.
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match.
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options.
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers.
• Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave.
• Cumulative 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off.
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years.
• Education Reimbursement Program.
• Group life insurance.
• Free Parking for most positions.
• Free LinkedIn Learning access.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.