Chemist 3

State of Washington; Manchester (WA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Ecology seeks a Chemist 3 for the Manchester Environmental Laboratory, performing organic analyses on water, soil, tissue, and consumer products to generate defensible data. The role supports QC, data review, and instrument maintenance with partial in-office presence and telework options.

Qualifications include extensive chemistry experience or education, strong attention to detail, and proficiency with GC-based techniques.

Qualifications

• Attention to detail and accuracy in data review.
• Strong problem solving and corrective action skills.
• Clear communication of findings and actions.

Responsibilities

• Perform chemical analysis on water, soil, tissue, and consumer products for pesticides, PCBs, VOCs, and other organics using GC-ECD, GC-FID, GC-MS.
• Ensure data meets QC criteria and take corrective actions when needed.
• Review colleagues’ data packages for completeness and accuracy.
• Troubleshoot analytical/ preparation issues and support instrument maintenance.

Skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Communication

Time management

QA and data integrity

Scientific documentation

Method & process improvement

Instrument operation

Sample preparation & analysis

Data processing & LIMS

Education

Chemistry coursework (30 semester hours / 45 quarter hours)

Job description

This recruitment is open only to current Department of Ecology employees, including those on temporary or project assignments, and Ecology's Washington Conservation Corps members.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Chemist 3 within the Environmental Assessment Program.

Location:

• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the selected duty station.

• Manchester Environmental Laboratory near Port Orchard, WA.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.

• A minimum of 3-5 days per week is required in the office. Some telework is available to do data management and data reviews.

• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by September 27, 2026

• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

As a member of Manchester Environmental Laboratory within the Environmental Assessment Program, you will perform chemical analysis for organic parameters on water, soil, tissue, and consumer products to generate legally defensible analytical data for environmental clients.

What you will do:

• Perform chemical analysis on water, soil, tissue and consumer product samples for the determination of pesticides, PCBs, fuels, volatile organic compounds, and other organic compounds by GC-ECD, GC-FID, GC-MS, and other analytical techniques.
• Ensure analytical data meets QC criteria or take appropriate corrective actions.
• Review analytical data packages of other chemists for completeness and accuracy.
• Troubleshoot analytical and preparation issues as needed.
• Serve as a backup chemist for analyses as needed.
• Ensure optimal performance of instruments and perform routine maintenance.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

8 years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

• Attention to Detail – Ability to review data, documents, and instrument outputs to ensure work is accurate and reliable.
• Problem Solving – Ability to identify issues, determine causes, and take effective corrective actions to maintain workflow and data quality.
• Communication – Ability to clearly share findings, document actions, and notify others of issues to support informed decision-making.
• Time & Workload Management – Ability to organize tasks and manage competing priorities to meet required timelines. Ability to monitor workload, track sample progress, and communicate status or concerns to support smooth operations.
• Quality Assurance and Data Integrity – Ability to follow QA/QC procedures and review data to ensure scientific and legal defensibility.
• Scientific Documentation and Reporting – Ability to create clear worksheets, notes, procedures, and reports that support consistent and compliant lab operations.
• Method and Process Improvement – Ability to contribute to developing, refining, or updating methods and procedures to improve efficiency or accuracy.
• Instrument Operation and Maintenance – Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instruments to ensure reliable analytical performance.
• Sample Preparation and Chemical Analysis – Ability to prepare samples and conduct analytical testing using established methods to generate high-quality results. Ability to prepare standards and perform instrument calibrations that ensure accurate quantitation.
• Data Processing and LIMS Use – Ability to evaluate instrument output, apply data flags, review QC results, and manage data in the LIMS for accurate reporting.

Education involving a major study in chemistry or a related degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level chemistry.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 8 years of experience.

• 7 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.

• 6 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).

• 5 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.

• 4 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.

• 2 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.

• 1 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Must successfully pass a federal ePASS background check in order to have access to the federal facility that houses the Ecology laboratory.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Experience analyzing and preparing samples following EPA methodologies for organic analyses for pesticides, PCBs, SVOCs, VOCs, fuels, PBDEs, and other organic compounds using GC, GCECD, GCFID, GCMS or GCMSMS techniques.
• Knowledge of EPA Methods 8081, 8082, 8260, 8270, 1668, 1628, and the State of Washington’s petroleum hydrocarbon methods.

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Our Commitment to DEIR

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR)are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity:We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Application Attestation

By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or [e-mail]
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Joan Protasio at [e-mail]
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at [e-mail]

About the Environmental Assessment Program

Program Mission Statement: The mission of the Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) is to measure, assess and communicate environmental conditions in Washington State. EAP’s vision is improving the environment for current and future generations through innovative and excellent science and thriving partnerships. Commitments include: professional, respectful, responsive, timely, innovative, exceptional customer service, partnerships, cooperative relationships, and continuous improvement.

The Department of Ecology’s Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL) is the state’s primary environmental laboratory, providing high-quality, scientifically defensible data that support Washington’s environmental protection, regulatory enforcement, and natural resource management efforts. Through rigorous analytical work and a comprehensive Quality Management System, MEL ensures that Ecology and partner agencies have reliable information to assess environmental conditions, guide policy decisions, and safeguard public and ecological health.

Located in Manchester, Washington, near Port Orchard on the Olympic Peninsula, the Department of Ecology’s Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL) operates within a federal facility shared with the EPA Region 10 Environmental Laboratory. This co-location supports strong collaboration between state and federal scientists, enhances access to high-quality laboratory resources, and helps ensure that Washington receives scientifically robust data to guide environmental protection and regulatory decision‑making. Employees must obtain federal security clearance and maintain their security clearance during their employment at the Department of Ecology’s Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL).

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s)
• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*
• 11 Paid Holidays per year*
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Tuition Waiver
• Long Term Disability & Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Programs
• Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
• Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Commute Trip Reduction Incentive
• Combined Fund Drive
• SmartHealth
• Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining

This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

Note:

This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

Note:

This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.