Chemist 4

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection – Bureau of Laboratories, seeks a Chemist 4 to lead the Gravimetric Measurements Section and oversee analytical operations. You will supervise staff, ensure QA/QC, provide technical guidance, and maintain records to support reliable testing.

Hybrid work option with potential telework; starting salary of $78,925 annually. You will interact with user agencies and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards in a

Qualifications

• One year as a Chemist 3 or three years of professional chemical analytical experience with chemistry/biochemistry degree.
• Experience applying QA/QC policies and regulatory requirements in a lab setting.
• Ability to supervise staff and provide technical guidance.

Responsibilities

• Direct staff, assign responsibilities, and oversee analytical and research activities.
• Implement QA and QC policies and address audit findings.
• Provide expertise, consultation, and training to agencies and laboratory personnel.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for analytical work and safety practices.
• Maintain administrative, analytical, sample, and QA records.
• Review equipment needs, staffing, and assist in emergency planning.

Skills

Analytical chemistry knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Quality assurance

Supervisory leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 30 chemistry/biochemistry credits

Graduate degree in chemistry

Job description

THE POSITION

Join the Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Laboratories as a Chemist 4 and help lead important scientific work that protects our health and environment. This role lets you use your expertise to guide laboratory projects, support agency partners, and strengthen analytical operations. You will oversee a skilled team and help ensure that critical testing is accurate and dependable. Step into a position where your knowledge truly makes a difference.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position leads the Gravimetric Measurements Section and oversees analytical, supervisory, and quality assurance responsibilities. The role supports accurate testing, strong laboratory operations, and consistent communication with user agencies. As a Chemist 4, you will perform the following duties:

• Section Supervision: Direct staff, assign responsibilities, and oversee analytical and research activities
• Quality Assurance: Implement QA and QC policies, review audit findings, and ensure corrective actions are completed
• Technical Guidance: Provide expertise, consultation, and training to agencies, laboratory personnel, and field staff
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure analytical work, safety practices, and hazardous material handling meet regulatory requirements
• Record Oversight: Maintain administrative, analytical, sample, and QA records in accordance with established standards
• Operational Planning: Review equipment needs, evaluate staffing requirements, and help develop emergency analytical plans

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.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, on Adhoc basis, upon successful completion of probation 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 $78,925 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• One year as a Chemist 3 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Three years of professional chemical analytical experience, and a bachelor’s degree that includes 30 credits in chemistry or biochemistry; or
• Two years of professional chemical analytical experience, and a graduate degree in chemistry.

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.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at the 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.