Scientist I (SOS Temporary)

About the role

Join the State of Nebraska Team as a Temporary Scientist I through the SOS Temporary Program! The SOS Temporary Program is the State of Nebraska’s in-house staffing service, placing motivated talent into high impact, limited term roles that help keep the State’s agencies, boards, and commissions moving forward. Every assignment is temporary and provides an opportunity to complete meaningful work while building new skills and connections and exploring career paths within state government.

Responsibilities

• Half time in the metals/minerals area of the Nebraska Public Health Environmental Lab acidifying samples, performing sample turbidity analysis, and preparing samples for analysis by discrete analyzer, atomic adsorption, and ICP/MS.
• The other half of the time the position will help with glassware cleaning, dumping samples, and reagent preparation in all areas that need it as well as preparing sample kits, opening kits, and samples demographic entry in our customer service area.

Requirements/Qualifications

• At least one year of post-high school coursework/training in chemistry, biology, or related field and one year of experience in a scientific laboratory.
• Preferred Qualification: Bachelor's degree with a major in biology, chemistry, environmental science, or laboratory science.
• Prefer one year of practical environmental laboratory experience.
• Familiarity with drinking water methodology is helpful.
• Valid Driver's License required. Ability to lift up to 30 lb containers.

Skills, Abilities

• Knowledge of: the principles of chemistry and biology related to the work assigned; flow injection analysis technique; chemical and microbiological methods; computer applications such as Word, Excel, and Access; lab safety practices; quality management principles; advanced knowledge of lab instrumentation, operation, and calibration.
• Skill in: applying analytical principles and performing analyses; operating computers and laboratory instruments; interpreting and troubleshooting laboratory results; maintaining lab instruments and work environment in a safe and operable condition; summarizing findings and conclusions of analyses into technical lab reports; reviewing the work of other chemists; technical repair of specialized equipment; safe handling of chemicals and hazardous waste.
• Ability to: communicate effectively; interact with lab staff and the public; understand and follow supervisory instructions, equipment operation manuals, and safety policies; instruct other lab staff in the policies, procedures, and standards of a lab function; interpret data correctly and record results; work with limited supervision; compose correspondence using correct grammar, punctuation and spelling; relay knowledge gained to co-workers to recognize and solve problems; present and conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times when representing the laboratory; lift up 30 pound (lb) containers.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation. Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer!

Pay

Hiring Rate: $24.337

Schedule

Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am to 5 pm

Benefits

For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.