Chemist II

State of South Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services as a Chemist II in the radiochemistry laboratory. This role includes performing vital analyses for environmental safety, operating advanced instrumentation, and contributing to essential public service. The position requires a solid foundation in chemistry and a passion for environmental protection. Enjoy comprehensive benefits, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development in support of South Carolina's environmental initiatives.

Benefits

Health, dental, vision insurance

15 days annual leave

15 days sick leave

13 paid holidays

Paid parental leave

Deferred Compensation Program

Retirement benefit choices

Qualifications

• Requires a master's degree in chemistry or equivalent experience.
• At least two years in a radiochemistry laboratory preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs qualitative and quantitative analysis in the lab.
• Operates and troubleshoots analytical instrumentation.
• Maintains accurate records and ensures safety compliance.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Analytical instrumentation

Scientific calculations

Effective communication

Time management

Education

Master's degree in chemistry

Bachelor's degree in chemistry or natural/physical sciences

Tools

Analytical instrumentation software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Careers at SCDES:Where Passion Meets Preservation

Do you love South Carolina and protecting the environment? Come join our team at SCDES, put your passion to work with us! We are dedicated to protecting the state of South Carolina and we would love to have you as a member of our team!

Science| Service| Sustainability

This position is for a Chemist II in the radiochemistry laboratory of the Analytical and Radiological Environmental Service Division performing qualitative and quantitative analysis of various matrixes for radionuclides.

• Primary Analyses: Prepares and analyzes samples in the radiochemistry laboratory as a primary analyst. Operates and troubleshoots instrumentation; and maintains instrument maintenance logs.
• Back-up Analyses: Prepares and analyzes samples in the radiochemistry laboratory as a back-up analyst. Operates and troubleshoots instrumentation; and maintains instrument maintenance logs.
• Shared Duties: Receives and logs in samples in the sample receiving area. Verifies and prints the daily logbook. Performs temperature checks on ovens and refrigerators, checks calibration weights on all balances, checks conductivity readings on the deionized water systems and record all checks in the appropriate logbook. Helps with the shared duties of the rad lab (washing pipets, making 10% nitric acid, cleaning planchets, etc).
• Emergency Response and Asset Management: Prepares and participates in emergency response drills and incidents as needed. Complete asset disposition, transfer, and surplus documents accurately and in a timely manner as the radiochemistry laboratory property custodian.
• SOPs, Safety, Meetings, etc: Performs other duties as required which includes but not limited to the following; attending monthly section meetings, reviewing the SCDES Rad Lab SOPs and their referenced methods annually, updating SOP as needed, ensuring safe work practices by attending all safety meetings, annual review of the safety manual, and adherence to the safety policies as prescribed by the Hayne Building Safety Manual and the agency.
• Administrative: Completes all necessary administrative tasks(PCAS,SCEIS related functions, etc.) and documentation as required and requested.

A master's degree in chemistry; or a bachelor's degree in chemistry and one year of chemistry experience; or a bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences with 16 semester hours in chemistry and two years laboratory experience. Institutions of higher learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in operating, maintaining, and interpreting results from analytical instrumentation such as gamma spectroscopy, gas proportional counters, liquid scintillation counters, or other advanced advanced analytical instrumentation and associated data systems. Experience with general instrumentation software and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to:
  • Perform scientific mathematical calculations, highly complex tasks, and maintain accurate records.
  • Communicate effectively with peers, other scientists, and service engineers.
  • Prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.
  • Move and change 150-pound gas cylinders using a hand truck.
  • Adhere to all safety requirements including the wearing of required safety equipment such as eye protection, laboratory coats, and nitrile gloves to assure the safe handling of a myriad of commonly used laboratory chemicals on a daily basis.
  • Stand for long periods of time, and lift at least 30 lbs. to countertop level.
  • Work outdoors in various weather conditions.
  • Drive an agency vehicle and occasionally travel overnight for training and emergency response purposes.
• The workplace exposure to chemicals of record will be kept below the published OSHA thresholds through the use of administrative and engineering controls, specialized PPE and through appropriate adjustments in job assignments.
• This position requires the strict adherence to approved methods and standard operating procedures for the proper collection of quality and technically defensible data.
• This is a laboratory position and as such involves safely working with various types of glassware, the performance of repetitive tasks, and meticulous attention to detail.
• A resume should be submitted, but cannot be a substitution for a complete SC State application. Prior to possible selection for this position, candidates will have to attend an in-person interview. Please note that the State of South Carolina will not be responsible for any expenses incurred to attend this interview.
• An unofficial copy of all transcripts from institutions of higher learning must be attached to the application.

Note: If any additional requirements are listed above applicants must also meet those Additional Requirements to be considered for the position.

• Preference will be given to candidates with at least 2 years of work experience in a radiochemistry laboratory setting.

SCDESis committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminateon the basis ofrace, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. TheDepartment will not sponsor H1B visas for this position.

The South Carolina Department ofEnvironmental Servicesoffers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:?

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Clickhere foradditionalinformation.

• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year

• 15 days sick leave per year

• 13 paid holidays

• Paid parental leave

• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)

• Retirement benefit choices*

• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)

• State Optional Retirement Program(State ORP)

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans isrequiredfor all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.