Utility Lead Chemist

Salary: $68,091.50 - $102,137.26 Annually

Location: Various Locations within the City of El Paso, TX

Department: El Paso Water Utilities

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Virology, Parasitology, or related field
• Three (3) years of professional laboratory experience, including one (1) year of operating advanced spectrophotometry, chromatography, or other comparable instrumentation
• One (1) year of lead or supervisory experience
• Valid Texas Class "C" Driver's License or equivalent license issued by another state by date of appointment

Responsibilities

• Supervise and support laboratory operations, staff, and quality programs by overseeing chemical and bacteriological testing, ensuring regulatory compliance and data integrity
• Lead method development and process improvement in accordance with federal, state, and industry standards
• Administer personnel development, safety, and performance initiatives
• Responsible for chemical and bacteriological analyses of water and wastewater samples, including:
  • Review reports and laboratory records, ensure data quality, conduct internal audits, and implement corrective actions
  • Evaluate testing procedures, safety programs, and training protocols
  • Establish timelines, monitor progress, research and develop methods to meet water regulatory parameters
  • Study and recommend the purchase of new instrumentation
  • Maintain up-to-date preventive maintenance of instruments
• Supervise the development of methods for various analyses, along with the maintenance and repair of laboratory equipment
• Request quotes for instruments, supplies, equipment, software, and services
• Assist in maintaining the inventory of lab supplies and equipment
• Maintain laboratory safety and hazardous waste programs, records, and reports
• Assist in maintaining the laboratory deionized water system and creating and managing operational manuals
• Manage special and routine projects, ensuring all data has been received, reviewed, and reported
• Develop and revise laboratory standard operating procedures and stay abreast of current policies and procedures, including:
  • Identify opportunities for improving laboratory processes while adhering to The NELAC Institute (TNI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Standard Methods operating procedures
• Ensure staff adhere to the laboratory quality manual, procedures, and forms
• Review Water Distribution System Sampling programs to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal requirements
• Maintain current knowledge of chemical testing equipment, procedures, and legislation on water quality testing regulations and standards
• Assist the assistant manager in updating and maintaining laboratory KPIs, including installing new KPIs for continued improvement
• Serve as the point of contact for water and wastewater treatment facilities, industrial pretreatment, water distribution management, and other public water systems, including:
  • Schedule routine and special analyses and collections
  • Provide reports to section heads
  • Assist with meeting permit requirements set by TCEQ
  • Aid with requests for instrument calibrations and sampling containers
  • Maintain chain of custody templates for multiple facilities and points of collection
• Answer and investigate customer water quality complaints
• Administer Quality Assurance/Quality Control Programs, including:
  • Research, development, implementation, and maintenance of QA/QC and standard operating procedures
  • Maintain, update, and create analytical bench sheets in Microsoft Excel
  • Troubleshoot and correct issues with analytical bench sheets functionality
• Review and assist with data entry of external laboratory reports
• Review and approve the work of other chemists
• Provide technical expertise with analytical and method requirements
• Develop and manage quality control initiatives
• Conduct internal audits on analytical processes
• Ensure follow-up corrections requested by the QC department are completed on time
• Review and interpret method and regulatory agency policies, codes, and regulations
• Develop and maintain the Quality Assurance/Control program
• Create and update analytical requirements in Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), including QC limits, method parameters, and analytes
• Supervise and mentor assigned staff, including:
  • Scheduling, assigning, instructing, guiding, and checking the work of subordinates
  • Appraise employee performance and review evaluations performed by subordinates
  • Provide training and development, enforce personnel rules and regulations, and work behavior standards
  • Counsel, motivate, mentor, and maintain harmony
  • Interview applicants and recommend hiring, termination, transfers, discipline, or other employee status changes
  • Enforce safety rules and regulations

Benefits

• Life and Health Insurance:
  • Self-insured entity with a third-party administrator for Medical and Pharmacy benefits
  • Basic Life Insurance Coverage available at no cost to eligible employees
  • Optional Dental, Vision, and Short Term Disability coverage
  • Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account (healthcare and/or dependent care for daycare expenses) options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
  • Access to mental health sessions, therapy, and trained counselors at no cost
• Wellness Program:
  • Promotes better health and wellness through programs and incentives, including wellness education, fitness tests, biometric screenings, group fitness, health coaching, and more
• Tuition Assistance Program:
  • Encourages personal and professional development by sharing educational costs for Degree, Certifications, Continuing Education, and Books & Equipment
• Vacation Leave:
  • Eligibility after six months of employment for regular employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week
  • Accrual rates per pay period:
    • 0 - 5 years of service: 3.70 hours (12 days annually)
    • >5 to 15 years of service: 5.24 hours (17 days annually)
    • >15 years of service: 6.16 hours (20 days annually)
• Sick Leave:
  • Accrued in accordance with the Rules of the Civil Service Commission
• Accident with Pay Leave:
  • Applies to occupational injuries and occupational diseases
• Pregnancy Leave:
  • Treated as any other temporary physical disability
  • Use of accumulated sick leave, followed by unpaid leave or use of accumulated annual leave
• Legal Holidays:
  • New Year's Day (January 1)
  • Martin Luther King Holiday (Third Monday in January)
  • Cesar Chavez Day (March 31)
  • Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
  • Juneteenth (June 19)
  • Independence Day (July 4)
  • Labor Day (First Monday in September)
  • Veteran's Day (November 11)
  • Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
  • Day after Thanksgiving (Friday following the fourth Thursday in November)
  • Christmas Day (December 25)
  • Employee's Birthday