Chemist 3

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection seeks a Chemist 3 to supervise advanced laboratory testing and guide method development. You will support analysts, strengthen data quality, and contribute to environmental programs that protect public health.

The role includes staff leadership, sample handling, and complex analyses. Travel is required; telework may be available after probation with approved location and secure connectivity.

Qualifications

• Requires one year as Chemist 2 or two years of professional chemical analytical experience with a chemistry/biochemistry degree, or one year with a graduate chemistry degree.
• Experience leading or coordinating laboratory staff and projects is preferred.
• Knowledge of quality assurance, accreditation processes, and documentation requirements is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead laboratory personnel, manage workloads, and support training and development.
• Coordinate receipt, logging, and preparation of samples per lab standards.
• Conduct complex testing of water and soil samples and ensure quality control procedures are followed.

Skills

Staff Leadership

Laboratory coordination

Analytical thinking

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree with chemistry/biochemistry credits

Graduate degree in chemistry

Tools

Laboratory equipment handling

Job description

Bring your scientific leadership to a higher level as a Chemist 3 with the Department of Environmental Protection. This position gives you the opportunity to supervise advanced laboratory testing and support critical environmental programs. You will help strengthen data quality, guide method development, and support analysts in their work. Step into a role where your skills support a cleaner and healthier Pennsylvania.

This position oversees advanced laboratory testing for inorganic contaminants and provides leadership to staff who support environmental and public health goals. As a Chemist 3, you will perform the following duties:

• Staff Leadership: Guide laboratory personnel, manage workloads, and support training and development efforts
• Sample Preparation: Coordinate receipt, logging, and preparation of samples following laboratory standards
• Advanced Analysis: Conduct complex testing of water and soil samples and ensure proper quality control procedures
• Data Review: Interpret analytical results, verify accuracy, and prepare technical reports and summaries
• Quality Assurance: Support audits, maintain documentation, and implement corrective actions to meet accreditation requirements
• Laboratory Maintenance: Oversee equipment upkeep, manage supply needs, and help resolve routine non-conforming events

Interested in learning more? 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.
• This position requires travel
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, after successful completion of 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 $69,086 (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 2 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Two years of professional chemical analytical experience, and a bachelor’s degree that includes 30 credits in chemistry or biochemistry; or
• One year of professional chemical analytical experience, and a graduate degree in chemistry.

Conditions of Employment

• This position requires possession of a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.

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.

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 once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.