Chemist 2

Commonwealth-of-Pennsylvania; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); Hybrid; USD 51,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Environmental Protection in Harrisburg seeks a Chemist 2 to analyze environmental samples, maintain instruments, and support PFAS method development, ensuring data accuracy and defensibility for public decision making.

The role includes sample processing, LC-MS/MS operation, data review, and routine maintenance, with potential telework after probation and a 7:30 AM–3:30 PM schedule. Starting salary is $60,538 per year.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or biochemistry with 30 credits in chemistry.
• Graduate degree in chemistry.

Responsibilities

• Sample Processing: Organize samples, log information, and maintain documentation to ensure proper chain of custody.
• Instrument Operation: Operate chromatography and LCMSMS systems to identify analytes and evaluate raw data.
• Quality Control: Review analytical results, assess data trends, and apply corrective actions as needed.
• Method Development: Develop and refine testing methods for PFAS and other environmental contaminants.
• Maintenance Duties: Perform routine preventive maintenance and troubleshoot issues with laboratory instruments.
• Safety Compliance: Follow all laboratory safety protocols and maintain accurate records of safety checks.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or biochemistry with 30 credits in chemistry

Graduate degree in chemistry

Job description

Are you searching for a career where you can use your laboratory skills to directly support the protection of air, water, and communities across Pennsylvania? Join the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as a Chemist 2 and help advance vital laboratory work that safeguards our valued environment. This position challenges you to apply your scientific knowledge to analyze complex environmental samples. Do not miss this opportunity to contribute to projects that support cleaner water, safer communities, and stronger environmental defenses. Apply today to play a key role in helping to ensure that important data is accurate, reliable, and ready to guide public decision making!

This position focuses on analyzing environmental samples, maintaining laboratory instruments, and supporting method development for complex testing. Through your work, you will ensure that chemical data is accurate, defensible, and produced according to strict laboratory and regulatory standards. As a Chemist 2, you will perform the following duties:

• Sample Processing:Organize samples, log information, and maintain documentation to ensure proper chain of custody
• Instrument Operation:Operate chromatography and LCMSMS systems to identify analytes and evaluate raw data
• Quality Control:Review analytical results, assess data trends, and apply corrective actions as needed
• Method Development:Develop and refine testing methods for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other environmental contaminants
• Maintenance Duties:Perform routine preventive maintenance and troubleshoot issues with laboratory instruments
• Safety Compliance:Follow all laboratory safety protocols and maintain accurate records of safety checks

Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework:You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time (ad hoc basis), upon successful completion of the probationary period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview
• Salary:Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $60,538.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year as a Chemist 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• One year of professional chemical analytical experience, and a bachelor’s degree that includes 30 credits in chemistry or biochemistry; or
• A graduate degree in chemistry.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements

• You must possess and maintain a REAL ID or passport for this position. Proof of possession will be needed at the time of a conditional offer of employment.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Commonwealth employees who wish to use their seniority rights must apply to the internal posting for their seniority rights to be considered.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test oncefor this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.