Utility Senior Chemist

About the role

Under direction, lead, coordinate, and perform complex water and wastewater testing, quality assurance, data management, and regulatory compliance functions while supporting laboratory operations, training staff, maintaining equipment and records, and ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead, plan, and coordinate the collection and analysis of water and wastewater samples.
• Conduct required analyses of water and wastewater samples to ensure water and wastewater quality conform to federal, state, and local standards.
• Operate and maintain special laboratory equipment, including advanced spectrophotometry and advanced chromatography.
• Maintain records of samples collected and test results.
• Operate the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Manage system profiles, report configuration, and system errors.
• Assist in developing quality control initiatives.
• Conduct internal audits.
• Perform data entry of external laboratory reports.
• Manage the department’s inventory.
• Ensure good laboratory practices are being followed.
• Log in samples and print labels.
• Review laboratory logbooks.
• Assist the lead chemist in administering Quality Control Programs.
• Train new personnel on the basic use of LIMS.
• Schedule, assign, instruct, guide, and check work.
• Provide feedback to the supervisor on the chemists being led and trained.
• Follow and enforce safety rules and regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Virology, Parasitology, or a related field, and two (2) years of professional laboratory experience, including one (1) year of operating advanced spectrophotometry, chromatography, or other comparable instrumentation.
• Valid Texas Class "C" Driver's License or equivalent from another state by the date of appointment.

Qualifications

• Substitute for coworkers or a supervisor during temporary absences to maintain continuity of operations.
• May assist in investigations of water quality complaints.
• Lead and train a group of chemists.
• Assist in developing and maintaining the Quality Assurance/Quality Control program.
• Assist the lead chemist in providing support to the water and wastewater treatment facilities, industrial pretreatment, water distribution, and other public water systems.

SkillsKnowledge of chemical testing equipment and procedures.

Ability to follow federal, state, and local legislation on water quality testing regulations and standards.

Proficiency in using a computer to analyze and maintain records of data collection, tested samples, and results.

Ability to troubleshoot testing procedures and instruments.

Ability to operate and maintain special laboratory equipment, including advanced spectrophotometry and advanced chromatography.

Ability to manage and maintain the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

Ability to investigate and correct problems with the LIMS.

Ability to maintain current knowledge of chemical testing equipment and procedures.

Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.

Ability to maintain the department’s inventory.

Ability to ensure good laboratory practices are being followed.

Ability to draft weekend schedules.

Ability to log in samples and print labels.

Ability to review laboratory logbooks.

Ability to assist the lead chemist in administering Quality Control Programs.

Ability to perform data entry of external laboratory reports.

Ability to assist in developing quality control initiatives.

Ability to conduct internal audits.

Ability to assist in reviewing and interpreting methods and regulatory agency policies, codes, and regulations.

Ability to assist in developing and maintaining the Quality Assurance/Quality Control program.

Ability to assist the lead chemist in providing support to the water and wastewater treatment facilities, industrial pretreatment, water distribution, and other public water systems.

Ability to assist in scheduling routine and special analyses and collections; with field or plant personnel requests for instrument calibrations and sample containers, and maintaining chain of custody templates for multiple facilities and collection sites.

Ability to assist in investigations of water quality complaints.

Ability to lead and train a group of chemists.

Ability to train new personnel on the basic use of LIMS.

Ability to schedule, assign, instruct, guide, and check work.

Ability to address challenges and develop trainee(s) skills.

Ability to analyze laboratory procedures and workflows to enhance efficiency and overall quality.

Ability to encourage continuous learning and development on testing procedures and good laboratory practices.

Ability to motivate and maintain harmony.

Benefits

• LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE
• Medical and Pharmacy benefits
• Basic Life Insurance Coverage
• Optional Dental, Vision, and Short Term Disability coverage
• Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account (healthcare and/or dependent care for daycare expenses)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with access to mental health sessions, therapy, and more
• Wellness Program seeking to promote better health and wellness amongst the workforce through various programs and incentives
• Tuition Assistance Program encouraging employee personal and professional development

Pay

Details about pay are not specified in the job posting.

Schedule

Details about the schedule are not specified in the job posting.