Chemist II, Wet Lab

Harris County; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris County Pollution Control Services Department (HCPCS) is seeking an analyst to provide routine and custom analytical services on environmental samples. You will document analyses and deliver timely reports under the Supervisor - Wet Lab.

Responsibilities include ICP-MS and wet chemistry analyses, equipment calibration, and data entry into LIMS. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a chemistry-related field, experience with ICP-MS and instrumental analyses, and the ability

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, or related field.
• Experience in standard wet chemistry and instrumental analyses.
• Ability to prepare and analyze samples accurately.

Responsibilities

• Perform ICP-MS analysis on industrial, STP and non-routine water, soil, and solid waste samples.
• Perform wet chemistry analyses on water, wastewater, soil and solid waste samples.
• Calibrate, maintain and troubleshoot equipment (pH meters, DO meters, spectrophotometers, balances).
• Perform quality assurance monitoring of support equipment and assist in lab cleanup and waste disposal.
• Enter analytical data using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Write, revise and review SOPs to ensure accuracy and currency.

Skills

ICP-MS analysis

pH meters

DO meters

spectrophotometers

analytical balances

pipetting

titrimetry

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, or related field

Tools

MassHunter software

Discrete analyzers

Job description

Harris County Pollution Control Services Department (HCPCS)

Mission

The mission of Harris County Pollution Control Services Department (HCPCS) is to protect the citizens of Harris County from environmental impacts through firm, consistent enforcement of state and federal regulations. The ultimate goal of PCS is clean air, water, and proper management of waste. The activities PCS are directed toward ensuring clean air and water for the citizens of Harris County, consistent with the protection of public health, enjoyment of property and the protection of plant, animal, and marine life.

What you will do for Harris County Pollution Control

Under the supervision of the Supervisor - Wet Lab, the analyst will provide routine and custom analytical services on samples submitted by division investigators, other department personnel, and certain outside sources. The analyst will document all analytical work and provide timely reports on the results.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Trace Metals Analysis

• Perform assigned analysis on industrial, STP and non-routine water, soil and solid waste samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) techniques making of stock and working standards, troubleshooting, routine maintenance, etc.

Wet Chemistry Analyses

• Perform analyses on water, wastewater, soil and solid waste samples. Analyses may include BOD, CBOD, COD, Ammonia, Cl2, E. coli, Enterococcus, Nitrate + Nitrite, TSS, TDS, TOC, pH, etc.
• Perform sample preparation and digestions as appropriate.
• Calibrate, maintain and troubleshoot equipment used in assigned duties such as pH/specific ion probes and meters, DO meters, Discrete analyzers, spectrophotometers and analytical balances
• Perform quality assurance monitoring of support equipment such as incubators, refrigerators, ovens, and autoclave (temperature). Assist in laboratory cleaning, supplies, waste disposal, etc.

Administrative

• Enter analytical data using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• Write, revise and review SOPs (ensure that SOPs are accurate and up-to-date)

Other duties

• Assist with training of analysts and with the development and incorporation of new test procedures
• Special tasks involved in responding to an emergency event.
• Other tasks assigned by the Supervisor - Wet Lab or Laboratory Manager

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call [phone] or email [e-mail].

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Education:

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, or related field

Experience:

• Experience in the majority of the tests and sample matrices listed in the Job Description required
• At least one (1) year work experience performing both conventional (wet) chemical and instrumental analyses

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to use basic lab equipment such as pH meters, D.O. meters, analytical balances, discrete analyzers, spectrophotometers, etc.
• Ability to perform gravimetric, colorimetric and titrimetric operations
• Skilled in basic lab operations such as pipetting and titrating
• Must have ability to continually evaluate progress of analyses and seek advice or make adjustments as necessary
• Must be able to compile analytical reports
• Must maintain proficiency on assigned instruments
• Proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, and Access

NOTE

Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Experience:

• Experience in the use of laboratory microprocessors and data systems is (preferred)
• Knowledge of the Masshunter software (preferred)
• Experience in operation of discrete analyzers and spectrophotometers is (preferred)

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-time | Monday - Friday | Typically 8 am to 5 pm.
• After hours and/or weekend work on occasion
• On call during emergency events, natural disasters, etc.
• This position may require employees to be deployed to alternative county locations during emergency events.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Position requires work in both a laboratory and professional office environment with frequent time spent in both
• Laboratory work will include working with lab analysis equipment, chemicals and samples
• Mostly sedentary but will require frequent visits to the laboratory-some bending, stooping, kneeling and crouching may be required.
• Laboratory safety concerns require vision and hearing abilities sufficient to acknowledge and respond to sirens, alarms, smoke, visible evidence of a chemical release, etc.
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 40 pounds

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.