Chemist

Job Summary

Perform microbiological and chemical analysis of environmental water to ensure water quality and to ensure compliance with federal, state and local standards.

Essential Functions

May serve as Laboratory Safety Officer; implements safety policies and procedures in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; updates materials safety data sheets (MSDS); disposes of hazardous waste materials per established procedures.
Schedule collection of various samples according to established guidelines.
Receives and logs samples from various sources; maintains chain of custody of samples to ensure integrity of test results.
Prepares microbiological media, reagents, and control samples; prepares stock buffer solutions; maintains quality control of media, dilution/rinse water, coliform confirmation, Millipore filters, petri dishes, thio-bags, and autoclaves.
Performs laboratory analysis of microbiological and chemical components; inputs and interprets data for various inorganic organic, and microbiological analysis; programs and runs analysis on autoanalyzer.
Performs standard chemical and bacteriological examinations to analyze samples as required by environmental agencies, division procedures, and standard laboratory procedures for various parameters; conducts testing to identify levels of ammonia, conductivity, fecal coliform, heterotrophic plate count, nitrate, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), or other analytes.
Maintains quality control; performs quality assurance and quality control procedures to ensure integrity of samples and test results; conducts quality assurance and quality control audits.
Maintains logs, charts, computer records, and other records of sampling activities, laboratory analysis, testing results, or other activities in compliance with regulatory reporting requirements and laboratory certifications on quality control, quality assurance, and laboratory procedures; monitors and logs temperatures of refrigerators, incubators, and water baths; monitors and records data for corrosion meter.
Calculates and records results of tests; compares results against standards.
Reports test results to regulatory agencies, supervisory personnel, water treatment plant personnel, or others as appropriate.
Operates a variety of machinery, equipment and tools associated with laboratory operations, which may include a laboratory truck, microscope, comparator, scale/balance, nanopure water system, deionized water system, autoclave, oven, magnetic stir plate, hot plate, incubator, laboratory refrigerator, spectrophotometer, pH meter, colony counter, autoanalyzer, desiccator, propane torch, alcohol burner, vacuum pump, laboratory paraphernalia, laboratory glassware, medias, testing materials, hand tools, or two-way radio.
Performs general cleaning/maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, equipment, and tools in operable condition; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; reports faulty equipment.
Monitors inventory levels of laboratory equipment, chemicals, and supply items; ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct work activities; initiates orders for new or replacement materials.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related field is required.
One (1) year of related experience.
Candidates without a related degree should possess an additional four (4) years of related experience. Fingerprinting required.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATES
Required to possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License with any applicable endorsement(s) to drive a County vehicle as provided in CMA 5805.