City of DeLand, FL
ASSISTANT CHEMIST

Pay Grade: 21   
Dept: Lab/Utilities
Exempt:  Yes    
Reports to: Environmental Compliance Mgr.
Hours: 40 per week
Date:  October 2011
                                        

SUMMARY: Responsible for the overall supervision of daily laboratory operations. Also responsible for lead and technical work involving the operation and maintenance of a NELAC Certified Laboratory for water, wastewater, reclaimed, industrial pretreatment sampling, testing and the quality control/ assurance thereof. The Assistant Chemist reports to the Environmental Compliance Manager.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

  • Works independently, with a minimum of supervision and may supervise technical support personnel.
  • Assigns work, provides training, approves leave and conducts performance evaluations.
  • Schedules sampling and analyses under the general direction of the Environmental Compliance Manager and sets up/ adjusts laboratory apparatus.
  • Maintains quality assurance and quality control requirements/ documentation to insure NELAC certification.
  • Calibrates, modifies and makes minor repairs to instrumentation used for laboratory analyses and monitoring.
  • Determines how existing methods, procedures and equipment should be modified to meet testing requirements and NELAC certification criteria.
  • Maintains laboratory functions and quality assurance tasks on media, equipment, and supplies in accordance with NELAC certification requirements.
  • Maintains laboratory inventory of chemicals, reagents, and glassware.
  • Assists in the preparation of reports and performs miscellaneous clerical functions.
  • Modifies existing test procedures to meet needs of the monitoring program.
  • Ability to learn and train others in related computer skills to perform analysis and record data for regulatory reports.
  • Lengthened work days, greater than the salaried eight hours per day, may be required at times.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:  Applicant must possess of a B.S. Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology or related field and at least five years of experience in a NELAC Certified Laboratory with proficiency in quality control/ assurance protocol. A comparable amount of education, training, or experience may be substituted for minimum requirements.

 OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • Knowledge of laboratory practices concerning mixing of chemicals and reagents, preparation of stock solutions, and cleaning of glassware and equipment.
  • Skilled in the use of laboratory equipment to include analytical balances, microscopes, field instrumentation, autoclaves, Lachat FIA 8000 auto-analyzer, etc.
  • Knowledge and ability to perform non-potable, drinking and solid material standard operating procedures for  methods such as CBOD (SM5210B), Fluoride (SM4500F-C), TKN (EPA351.2), TP (EPA365.4), Total and Fecal Coliform, etc.
  • Ability to read safety manuals, operation guides, instructions, letters, memos, maps, work order, blueprints, and professional journals.
  • Ability to perform basic and advanced mathematical calculations and shop math (addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, fractions, algebra, calculus, statistics).
  • Proficient in computer skills to include Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, etc.
  • Possess a valid Florida driver’s license.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/ADA:  This job requires walking, standing, bending, stooping, and driving.  Employee may work in an office environment or outside in various weather conditions.  Working in or with moving vehicles and/or equipment may be required as well as working from heights, with radiant energy, with hands, feet and/or legs in water and may handle various solvents and chemicals.


Lifting:                50 pounds or more
Environment:            Laboratory Work
Vision:                 20/20 or Corrected to 20/100
Hearing:                Normal Noise Levels for Office Environment


*Class Descriptions are not intended to be restrictive.  The use of (or absence of) a particular illustration of duties shall not be held to exclude or limit the authority of a Department Head to assign other duties which are similar and related to work.


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