Chemist

Collier County; Naples (FL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Collier County is seeking a Laboratory Analyst to perform microbiological and chemical analyses of environmental water, ensuring quality and compliance with federal, state, and local standards. The role involves preparing media and reagents, logging samples, maintaining chain of custody, operating analytical equipment, and reporting results to regulators and plant personnel.

A Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and one year of related experience are required; fingerprinting may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related field required.
• One year of related experience.
• Fingerprinting required.

Responsibilities

• Perform microbiological and chemical analysis of environmental water.
• Maintain chain of custody of samples and logs.
• Prepare media, reagents, and control samples; maintain QC.
• Operate laboratory equipment and autoanalyzer systems.
• Record results and report to regulators and plant personnel.
• Monitor safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Laboratory analysis

Quality control

Data interpretation

Safety procedures

Equipment operation

Record keeping

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry

Job description

Collier County strives to be an employer of choice, and many of our employees build long-term careers with us. The salary listed in the job description reflects the full pay range for this position, from entry level through advanced career stages.

NEW EMPLOYEES ARE HIRED AT, OR NEAR THE ENTRY POINT SHOWN, DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE.

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

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.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Performs other related duties as required.

Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared emergency and/or declared emergency. On an incident-by-incident basis, the County’s Administrative Office will make the determination as to who will be required to work.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, Management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary that are a logical assignment to the position.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATES

May be 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.

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

Salary offers above the minimum pay grade may be considered based on qualifications.

Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared or declared emergency. The County’s Administrative Office will determine who will be required to work on an incident-by-incident basis.

This job posting is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.