Chemist - Subject Matter Expert

CHEMIST (Subject Matter Expert)
FULL TIME / ON-SITE
DENVER FEDERAL CENTER | LAKEWOOD, CO

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must submit to and pass a government background check
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen

OVERVIEW
Montech Inc. supports the National Water Quality Laboratory's (NWQL), Laboratory Program at the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Water Mission Area (WMA) by performing trace level environmental chemical analysis and sample preparation of a wide variety of analytes in different matrixes in samples from across the United States.

The Chemist (SME) is responsible for the validation, troubleshooting, and testing of chemical analyses including sample preparation and instrument testing to meet internal quality control (QC) objectives such as accuracy, bias and variability within analytical and measurement processes. Statistical, graphical, and data reports summarizing the QC/Quality Assurance (QA) data are produced and distributed to internal and external USGS customers.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

• Validate, troubleshoot and test methods and data processing in accordance with requirements specific to the USGS, ISO 17025, and/or NELAC standards to yield data comparable with published US EPA, Standard Methods for Water testing.
• Validate, troubleshoot, and document the validation and proposed SOP updates during all stages of analyzing and testing substances to determine their composition, quality, purity and other characteristics.
• Serve as the point of contact for all theoretical and interpretive questions in either the inorganics or organics units.
• Test and troubleshoot analytical methods including but not limited to digestions, gravimetries, total nitrogen/carbon, dissolved nitrogen/carbon, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, anions, alkalinity pH, conductivity, turbidity, metals and organics via a variety of instruments ranging from hot-blocks, analytical balances, probes for segmented flow analyzers, discrete analyzers, ion chromatography, titrators, fluorometers, UV spectrophotometers, Solid Phase and Aqueous Extractions and testing in Gas Chromatography, Liquid Chromatography, or Inductively Coupled Plasma (tandem or single quad mass Spectrometers).
• Evaluate, plan and execute the method validation strategy or troubleshooting of instrumentation/software.
• Submit documentation package for approval from the QA Unit and Branch Chief.
• Train staff in the execution of the newly validated or troubleshooted method.

The NWQL uses Target, Mass Hunter, Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, analytical software, statistical software, and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).

The Chemist (SME) is responsible for the documentation, validation of a new method, troubleshooting or improvement of existing method as well as the analysis and testing of substances to determine their composition, quality, purity, and other characteristics in accordance with ISO 17025 and NELAC requirements in addition to the USGS Quality Assurance Manual. When applicable the Chemist (SME) is to use the applicable Standard Operating Procedure per the method being performed, Safety, Hazardous Waste, NELAC, NWQL, USGS, DOI policies, procedures, requirements, and guidelines.

The Chemist (SME) shall:

• Evaluate, propose, and execute validation plans to determine substances composition, quality, purity and other characteristics that meet the requirements stipulated in ISO 17025, NELAC standards and the USGS Quality Assurance Manual.
• Perform systemic testing in solving equipment, sample preparation, and method performance problems to meet specific quality objectives defined in the QMS and meet and exceed the minimal requirements listed in published EPA methods and/or 40 CFR for the testing of environmental, drinking and or wastewater.
• Document the validation and or troubleshooting as well as write proposed updates to existing SOPs.
• Test substances to determine their composition, quality, purity and other characteristics through operating analytical instrumentation. The sample load is based on the analytical procedure as each analytical procedure has different requirements and timelines for completion.
• Evaluate to optimize and/or perform laboratory preparation procedures per NWQL Quality Assurance Manual, Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines. The sample load is based on the analytical procedure as sample preparation differs between the analytical procedure being performed. and the accuracy needs to exceed 99%.Prepare samples in accordance with approved validation plan and/or method SOPs for instrumental analysis. The amount of time is based on the analytical procedure, but the chemist shall process samples within the holding times specified in the Quality Management Systems Document (QMSD) and the Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) guidance document.
• Provide biweekly updates on the status of experimental design, validation plans, experiments, and final report.
• Establishes and maintains a workflow system which will minimally include protocols for communication, documentation, and prioritization
• Monitors long-term trends for a ‘big picture analysis’ of method performance.
• Complete and update Quality Control charts based on the analyses completed during the month.
• Identify and take appropriate action for Quality Control related problems as they occur.
• Troubleshoots, performs maintenance of assigned methods/instrumentation and when necessary, notifies appropriate Technical COR if instrument problems cause work interruption or create potential quality impacts.
• Performs special projects such as validation of methods or troubleshooting of methods that are specially created for a customer or one of the rarely used methods of analysis IAW SOP.
• Document project activities in writing IAW SOPs.
• Perform review and proposes updates to method Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) upon any method modification and/or on a yearly basis. The procedures need to be reflected in the SOP within three weeks and prior to implementation.
• Provide written reports per SOPs.
• Provide appropriate documentation in lab notebooks. All data documentations follow appropriate SOP guidelines and established policy.
• Adhere to all safety, health, and environment processes and procedures.

TRAVEL
No travel will be required for completion of these tasks.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Science, Biology, Environmental Science, or related field. Chemist SME should possess

• Relevant on the job experience related to the position including sample preparation; analysis and testing of substances to determine composition, quality, purity and other characteristics
• Ability to follow SOPs and create written reports/documentation per SOPs.
• Ability to document and track Quality Assurance/Quality Control.
• Ability to troubleshoot to solve equipment/sample preparation problems
• Experience with LIMS (or equivalent).
• Be fully trained in organic or inorganic chemistry with experience in testing, method validation, troubleshooting of existing methods comparable to those published methods by the US EPA, standard methods and/or USGS in a range of instrumentation from pH probes to Mass Spectrometer techniques.
• Be fully trained in Quality requirements established by ISO 17025, NELAC and the published USGS QA documentation.
• Knowledgeable of QA and statistical approaches (parametric/nonparametric) to evaluate the adequacy of laboratory analytical result

The Government will provide training exclusively for tasks that require knowledge of systems unique to USGS. All DOI/USGS required safety and security training shall be provided by DOI/USGS.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Instrumental Analysis and Sample preparation can require the contractor to lift 35 pounds, bending, reaching, stooping, and walking as well as remaining standing for prolonged periods of time. Office work is sedentary and may involve long periods of working at a desk, and computer terminals. Availability to work late evenings and weekends may be required at times to prevent production downtime and address emergencies related to system failures.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Place of Performance
USGS National Water Quality Laboratory, Building 95, Denver Federal Center, Lakewood, CO 80225

Security
Candidates must be US Citizen to work on Federal Government Campus / must be willing and able to pass a background investigation.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person