ASSOCIATE CHEMIST

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under direction, performs the full range of physical, chemical, and bacteriological tests and analyses on a variety of environmental samples including but not limited to drinking water, raw water, wastewater, sludge, reclaimed water, industrial wastewater, and stormwater as necessary for process control, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance; performs a variety of research and development activities related to various laboratory programs and operations; maintains quality assurance program for the laboratory; maintains assigned databases and generates reports; and assists supervisory and management staff in a variety of laboratory administrative duties.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Technical and Functional Supervision – Responsible for prescribing procedures, methods, materials and formats used in recurring projects of particular area(s) of work including training other employees. In addition, also responsible for recurring work projects or activities involving other employees to whom are given direction and guidance including lead supervision for a project or set of work activities. Will also be responsible for assigning, scheduling, coordinating, organizing and directing work activities.
• Performs the full range of physical, chemical, and bacteriological tests and analyses on a variety of environmental samples including drinking water, raw water, wastewater, sludge, reclaimed water, stormwater, industrial waste, soil and other related items using instrumental and classical analytical procedures for California Regional Water Quality Control Board requirements, California Department of Health and Services, and others in accordance with federal and/or state approved methods.
• Performs the full range of bacteriological analyses including but not limited to multiple tube fermentation technique and subsequent confirmatory tests, heterotrophic plate count, enterolert, quanti-tray, colilert and species identification.
• Analyzes annual performance evaluation state reference samples for laboratory certification.
• Researches and develops standard operating procedures (SOP); researches new laboratory equipment.
• Maintains a variety of records and logs; calculates, records and reports test results on appropriate forms and computer database; generates reports and quality assurance and control charts.
• Coordinates sample pick-ups or container drop-offs with contract labs.
• Receives various samples; screens samples for necessary analyses.
• Under strict time constraints coordinates and assigns multiple sample analyses.
• Provides training, direction, data, and lab-related services to other Utility Division functions.
• Participates in research projects, special investigations, and preparation of special reports.
• Prepares media, reagents, standard solutions, and sample bottles.
• Operates, calibrates, and maintains complex analytical instruments and equipment used in laboratory analyses, including inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC/MS); performs daily, monthly, and quarterly quality control checks to ensure instruments are in good working condition and operating satisfactorily; performs special cleaning requirements for laboratory glassware and containers as necessary.
• Coordinates sampling events; performs sample collection; labels and preserves samples; maintains sampling logs; performs on site testing including temperature, pH, conductivity, chlorine residual, dissolved oxygen, and flow; prepares and completes chain of custody.
• Assists supervisory and management staff with a variety of administrative duties in support of the laboratory; orders chemicals and other laboratory supplies; maintains inventory of chemicals found in the laboratory; serves as contact person for all business related to Material Data Safety Sheet records.
• Enters and retrieves data and information from, and assists with the development of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Recognize and report values from outside the established limits in test parameters.
• Assists with hazardous waste disposal and recordkeeping.
• May perform sampling, analyses and other tasks normally assigned to Laboratory Technician I and II as necessary due to vacation, sick leave, absence and emergencies.
• Attends and participates in professional seminars and training courses; stays abreast of new trends and innovations related to the field of assignment including in the water quality and environmental testing area.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Microbiology, environmental biology, biochemistry, and advanced chemistry.
• Testing procedures as prescribed in "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater," and other Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved methods.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques used in a broad range of physical, chemical, and bacteriological analyses and testing of drinking water, raw water, wastewater, sludge, reclaimed water, and stormwater.
• Basis of each test and understanding of how tests/analyses are used to monitor the treatment of wastewater, to determine the quality of drinking water, and to distinguish between different water sources.
• Principles of laboratory safety and emergency procedures.
• Sampling, preservation procedures, sample receiving, and chain of custody.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and permits including state and federal
• mandates pertaining to water quality, wastewater treatment and disposal, sludge disposal,
• reclaimed water, storm water regulations, and industrial waste pretreatment requirements.
• Performance evaluation study requirements.
• Operating characteristics of a variety of laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
• Standard operating calibration procedure for laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
• Basic operational knowledge of wastewater treatment plant, water distribution, industrial pretreatment, and domestic water treatment plant processes.
• Basic principles of supervision and training.
• Principles and practices of record keeping.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
• Principles of customer service.

Ability to:

• Research and understand various scientific techniques.
• Perform a broad range of physical, chemical, and bacteriological analyses and laboratory calculations.
• Adapt standard methods and techniques in the functional area to which assigned.
• Prepare standard operating procedures.
• Anticipate and prepare for upcoming sampling events; work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and calibrate complex laboratory instrumentation and equipment, ICP, UV-VIS spectrophotometer, ion chromatograph, micro-tox, TOC analyzer.
• Distinguish colorimetric end points when performing titrations.
• Calculate results and interpret data.
• Prepare professional and scientifically accurate reports and papers and produce clear and concise reports of laboratory activities.
• Understand the results being reported and their importance in monitoring processes.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Collect samples and set up laboratory and/or sampling equipment.
• Inspect and record pertinent field observations and determine appropriate analytical testing requirements.
• Analyze, interpret, and effectively apply the results of routine and special laboratory tests and projects.
• Evaluate information and determine appropriate remedial activities and actions.
• Handle hazardous chemicals safely.
• Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Operate office equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely with public or fellow employees, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in chemistry or a related field.

Experience: Two years of recent analytical laboratory experience with at least one year in an environmental lab.

License/Certificate and Other Requirements - Employees hired after January 1, 2006:

• As a condition of continued employment, must obtain at least a Grade II Laboratory Analyst certification issued by the California Water Environmental Association (CWEA) within 18 months of hire.
• May, when assigned, be required to work weekends as part of their normal work schedule. Possession of an appropriate valid driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Laboratory, office, and occasional field setting. CONTINUOUS working indoors. FREQUENT exposure to fumes and odors of chemicals and plant processes; equipment noise. OCCASIONAL exposure to extreme heat of autoclave and high-temperature furnace, ambient temperatures in plant and outdoors; temperature swings from air conditioning to plant or outdoors; toxic chemicals. INFREQUENT exposure to extreme noise of equipment in plant; heat and humidity when working outdoors; mechanical and electrical hazards of laboratory equipment; explosive hazards of reactive chemicals; atmospheric dust. Work schedule is 80 hour biweekly pay periods, with unscheduled breaks. Overtime may occasionally be required in performance of time-dependent laboratory procedures. Work environment is informal, both team and autonomy oriented, having both routine and variable tasks, with variable pace and pressure, frequently fast-paced. Work is performed in the office and laboratory at the Resource Recovery Facility and rarely in the field at manufacturing facilities, commercial and industrial establishments.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in laboratory setting. CONTINUOUS sitting; fine finger dexterity to calibrate and operate laboratory equipment and instruments; repetitive hand and wrist movement; eye-hand coordination. OCCASIONAL walking, standing, climbing, reaching at and above shoulders, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, upward and downward flexion of neck, side-to-side turning of neck; grasp and hand and arm strength to lift equipment; lifting objects weighing up to 25 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders, with or without assistance; lifting objects weighing 26-50 lbs. from below waist to waist; transporting objects weighing up to 50 lbs. distances up to 200 yards, with or without assistance. INFREQUENT bending and stooping, squatting, crawling, kneeling; lifting objects weighing 26-50 lbs. from chest level to above shoulders, with or without assistance; lifting objects weighing 51-100 lbs. from below waist to waist level with assistance; transporting objects weighing 51-100 lbs. distances up to 10 feet, with assistance.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens, printed documents, and instrumentation; color vision acuity.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Smell: Sense of smell for odor analysis.

December 2005
Revised by Johnson & Associates

May 2006
Revised by HR – SB & Laboratory - VV, CM, RG