Chemist (Water Division)

Salary: $45,604 - $71,292

Position Grade: 14G

Department: Water Division

Job Type: Full-Time (Permanent)

Examination Number: EX1194

Location: 1640 S Kingshighway Blvd. - St. Louis, MO

Incumbents in this position are responsible for performing analytical testing of the City's water system/supply and adjusting chemicals used in the water treatment process. Examples of duties include: monitoring water quality and making chemical changes; performing chemical analysis to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, assisting with bacteria analysis and maintaining required documentation for certification.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Analyzes plant and distribution samples for chemical and microbiological content, assays bulk chemicals and performs routine maintenance of complex laboratory instrumentation.

• Performs complex chemical calculations with little supervision and prepares solutions of precise composition and reagents to be used in chemical analysis.

• Carries out elemental analysis using ICP/MS and analyzes aqueous samples for disinfection byproducts, pesticides, herbicides, base neutrals and purgable organics using gas chromatography and mass-spectroscopy.

• Sets treatment chemical charges with little supervision.

• Conducts water analysis using GC and GC/MS techniques.

• Conducts disinfection byproducts analysis using GC. Monitors and interprets water treatment operation test results.

• Instructs operators to adjust chemical dosages for optimum treatment.

• Analyzes audit samples and Information Collection Rule Study samples.

• Trains chemists to acquire specific skills.

• Responds and resolves customer complaints in absence of supervisor.

• Processes test data and prepares reports.

• Processes and interprets quality control data.

• Maintains and troubleshoots instrumentation and associated software.

• Prepares chemical standards and solutions for use in laboratory tests.

• Records outside samples received in log.

• Checks the gas supply needed to run chemical analyses; requests replacement of used gas cylinders. Prepares list of laboratory materials to be ordered.

• Establishes chemical feed rates; reviews and monitors control test results; determines required changes to dosage amounts; informs supervisor of treatment problems or emergency conditions.

• Conducts Wet Analysis Tests on samples; interprets results and provides appropriate documentation.

• Conducts Instrumental Analysis on samples; interprets results and provides appropriate documentation.

• Performs bacteriological analysis of samples; interprets results and provides appropriate documentation.

• Operates, calibrates, and maintains test equipment and instruments.

• Ensures laboratory certification by following established policies and procedures. Monitors test compliance with requirements.

• Maintains quality assurance records and procedures.

• Performs activities of technician in technician’s absence.

• Prepares standard solutions and reagents.

• Performs special tests and investigations.

• Maintains inventory of laboratory supplies.

• Assumes responsibilities of supervisor in supervisor’s absence.

• Responds to customer inquiries and complaints.

• Participates in plant tours.

• Maintains communication within the work group; communicates with other work groups.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Data Utilization: Requires the ability to perform mid-level data analysis including the ability to audit, deduce, assess, conclude and appraise. Requires discretion in determining and referencing such established criteria to define consequences and develop alternatives.

• Human Interaction: Requires the ability to persuade, convince, influence, train and monitor chemists, in favor of a desired outcome. Requires the ability to act as a lead person in supervisor’s absence.

• Equipment, Machinery, Tools and Materials Use: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or provide simple but continuous adjustment on equipment, machinery and tools such as a computer, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

• Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize reference, descriptive, consulting, design and advisory data and information such as lab reports, control charts, lab fortified matrix, and chemical texts and methods manuals.

• Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate decimals, fractions and decimals; perform mathematical operations involving advanced algebra, integral calculus, statistical inference, and descriptive statistics.

• Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions involving planning and directing of interrelated activities or multiple departments. Ability to deal with several concrete and abstract variables in working out approaches to major problems.

• Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental and/or subjective criteria, as opposed to criteria that are clearly measurable or verifiable.

• Environmental Factors: Tasks may risk exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as electric currents, life, toxic/poisonous agents, disease, or pathogenic substances.

• Physical Requirements: Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting and carrying of light objects and materials, up to twenty (20) pounds.

• Sensory Requirements: Requires the ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, shapes, sounds, and odors associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks. Requires the ability to distinguish objects clearly at near and far-range such as assessing treatment conditions.
  

A Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry. OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Certification: Must obtain a Missouri Public Drinking Water Treatment System Operator Certification (Class D) by completion of the working test period.

License: Must possess and maintain a valid Missouri driver’s license while employed by the City of St. Louis. Please note the type of license, number, class, and expiration date on the Employment Application.

Preferences: Prior employment in a laboratory analyzing drinking water samples and knowledge of Federal/State testing requirements.

Scoring Components and Their Weights
Experience and Training: 100%
May be Subject to:

Background Investigation: Pass/Fail
Medical Examination: Pass/Fail

Documentation of Academic Credentials must be Submitted Upon Request

When completing the Employment History and the Educational/Training History sections of the Employment Application, please be as thorough as possible when describing your education, training and experience relating to this position. Applicants will only receive credit for their experience, training and education as shown on the application. Resumes will not be accepted as a substitute to a fully completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Veterans Preference Points

To be eligible for veteran's preference points, the applicant must submit a copy of their DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with the Employment Application or upon request. The Director of Personnel may, in their discretion, accept alternate documentation.

City Residence Preference Points

City residents who pass an examination for a position in the classified service and do not receive any other preference will receive a five (5) point preference on a scale of 100 points on the exam. An additional one (1) point shall be added to the passing score of City residents who receive any other preference on a scale of 100 points. City residents must have resided in the City for at least one (1) year at the time of filing their application to be eligible for the preference points.

Accommodations

If assistance with the job application is necessary based on a physical impairment, mental impairment, or otherwise, they should reach out to the Office on the Disabled with contact information. This office will not disclose any information that an applicant or employee has a disability or has discussed possible accommodations without the applicant's or employee's prior consent.