Chemist Series

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage Sick & Vacation leave Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually) Fitness Centers in select locations Employee discounts with the Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The position (K0245927)

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has a Chemist I/II/III opening in Topeka. The Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories is seeking an experienced chemist to perform organic analytical testing using GC, GCMS, for analysis of pesticides, volatiles, disinfecting by products in water and soil. Specific method training will be provided.

Job responsibilities: Public Drinking Water and Environmental Monitoring - Analyze samples from Public Water Systems to ensure they are meeting the Safe Drinking Water requirements. These samples are analyzed for Volatile Organic Compounds, Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds and disinfectant by products. In addition, raw water samples such as ground water or surface water and soil samples are analyzed for Volatile Organic Compounds to support the environmental monitoring programs of the State of Kansas.

Must be able to follow written SOP's, Test Methods and EPA methods as defined.

Responsible for compliance data review and reporting as required by the State and US-EPA.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Provide technical leadership and guidance in the organic unit, in the analysis, extractions and sample preparations of pesticides, herbicides, volatiles, disinfection by-products. Perform peer reviews on reported data. Assists supervisor in reviewing daily operations to assure efficient, timely, and accurate chemical analysis and assists in the evaluation and performance of staff as needed. Use EPA Drinking Water Certification knowledge to provide additional support and leadership.

Performs and conducts the highly complex chemical analyses for PNAs, phthalates and adipates in drinking water by EPA Method 524.3 using the advanced instrumental technique of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Using the same instrumental technique this individual also performs confirmation of organic contaminants and pollutants in a variety of matrices. Provides technical skill and leadership in this area and assures a high degree of operational capability. Prepare reports, including analysis of quality assurance data for the method listed above. Assure that EPA lab certification for VOC's or THM's in drinking water is maintained by performing acceptably on Performance Evaluation Audits.

Qualifications

Education : Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Minimum Qualifications: Chemist I Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Chemist II Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Six months of experience in chemistry. Chemist III Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Two years of experience in chemistry. Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Proofreading, editing, attention to detail. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access.

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