Chemist 3

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

Benefits offered by this job

Telework after probationary period

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania invites applications for a Chemist 3 within the Department of Environmental Protection. This leadership role guides laboratory work, supervises chemists, reviews data, and ensures high-quality PFAS analyses in the Organic Section.

Full-time with a 7:30 AM–3:30 PM schedule, occasional travel, and potential telework after probation. The starting salary is $69,086 per year, with comprehensive benefits and opportunities to advance scientific work that protects public

Qualifications

• One year as Chemist 2 or equivalent.
• One year of professional chemical analytical experience, and a graduate degree in chemistry.
• Two years of professional chemical analytical experience and a bachelor’s degree with 30 chemistry/biochemistry credits.

Responsibilities

• Train chemists, review analytical data, coordinate schedules.
• Oversee PFAS method updates and literature review to improve procedures.
• Evaluate QA/QC records, ensure SOP compliance, initiate corrective actions.

Skills

Staff supervision

Method development

Quality control

Data review

Lab safety

Analytical support

Education

Chemistry degree (BS/BA)

Graduate degree in chemistry

Chemistry credits (30) in BS

Tools

PFAS methods

QA/QC procedures

Job description

Step into a leadership role that supports environmental protection as a Chemist 3 with the Department of Environmental Protection. This position gives you the chance to guide scientific work that helps safeguard the health of communities and natural resources. You will lead a team of chemists while working with advanced methods that shape accurate and reliable laboratory results. Join a mission that values science, teamwork, and public service.

This position leads scientific operations within the PFAS Unit and supports testing efforts throughout the Organic Section. You help ensure high quality laboratory practices by supervising staff, reviewing data, and guiding analytical procedures. As a Chemist 3, you will perform the following duties:

• Staff Supervision: Train chemists, review analytical data, coordinate schedules, and support performance development
• Method Development: Oversee updates to PFAS methods and review scientific literature to improve laboratory procedures
• Quality Control: Evaluate QA and QC records, ensure compliance with SOPs, and initiate corrective actions when required
• Internal Audits: Conduct reviews of employee data for accuracy and adherence to regulatory standards
• Lab Safety: Follow safety protocols, report hazards, and manage proper labeling and handling of waste materials
• Analytical Support: Operate instruments, interpret data, confirm results, and assist with specialized sample processing

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 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
• One year of professional chemical analytical experience, and a graduate degree in chemistry; or
• Two years of professional chemical analytical experience, and a bachelor’s degree that includes 30 credits in chemistry or biochemistry.

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.