Senior VOC & GC/MS Chemist

AMSPEC; Camarillo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

AmSpec Environmental Services' Camarillo, CA laboratory seeks a Senior VOC & GC/MS Chemist to lead VOC and specialty analytical services, review data and QA/QC, and mentor staff. You will troubleshoot GC/MS systems, develop new methods, and coordinate with operations and business development to drive growth.

You will guide a team in a fast-paced lab, ensuring accuracy, quality, and timely reporting while supporting ISO 17025 compliance and continual improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, or related field.
• 7+ years of environmental laboratory experience.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and mentoring experience.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Commercial environmental laboratory experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for VOC and specialty analytical services.
• Review and approve analytical data, reports, and QA/QC documentation.
• Troubleshoot GC/MS systems, analytical issues, and challenging sample matrices.
• Train, mentor, and develop junior chemists and laboratory analysts.
• Develop, validate, and implement new analytical methods and services.
• Improve laboratory efficiency, quality, turnaround times, and profitability.
• Support ISO 17025 quality systems, audits, and accreditation requirements.
• Coordinate with operations, quality, and business development teams on the introduction of new services.

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, or related field

Job description

The Senior VOC & GC/MS Chemist provides technical and operational leadership for VOC and specialty analytical services at AmSpec Environmental Services' Camarillo, California laboratory. The position is responsible for analytical data review and approval, GC/MS troubleshooting, method development, and mentoring of laboratory staff, and works cross-functionally with operations, quality, and business development to support laboratory growth and performance.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for VOC and specialty analytical services
• Review and approve analytical data, reports, and QA/QC documentation
• Troubleshoot GC/MS systems, analytical issues, and challenging sample matrices
• Train, mentor, and develop junior chemists and laboratory analysts
• Develop, validate, and implement new analytical methods and services
• Improve laboratory efficiency, quality, turnaround times, and profitability
• Support ISO 17025 quality systems, audits, and accreditation requirements
• Coordinate with operations, quality, and business development teams on the introduction of new services

Required Skills

Skills/Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, or related field
• 7+ years of environmental laboratory experience
• Demonstrated technical leadership and mentoring experience
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Commercial environmental laboratory experience strongly preferred

Preferred Experience

• EPA TO-15 and TO-17
• VOC analysis by GC/MS
• Vapor intrusion investigations
• Indoor air, ambient air, and soil gas testing
• Thermal desorption and sorbent tube technologies
• HybridSS® sampling and analysis
• Bottle Vac® whole-air sampling
• Method development and validation
• Environmental laboratory QA/QC programs
• GC×GC and petroleum hydrocarbon characterization (preferred)

Required Experience

Working Conditions

• Primarily an on-site laboratory environment in Camarillo, CA with regular exposure to standard laboratory chemicals, solvents, and equipment
• Standard laboratory PPE (lab coat, safety glasses, gloves) required in designated areas
• Standard full-time schedule with occasional flexibility to support sample receipt, holding-time, or turnaround deadlines
• [HR/Safety to confirm and finalize working conditions specific to this role]

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand/walk for extended periods while working at the bench and with instrumentation
• Ability to lift and carry sample coolers, gas cylinders, and lab supplies (up to ~25-40 lbs, with assistance as needed)
• Manual dexterity for operating GC/MS instrumentation and handling glassware/samples
• Ability to wear required PPE for extended periods
• [HR/Safety to confirm and finalize physical requirements specific to this role]