TCEQ - Chemist V

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Sugar Land (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

457 plan

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Optional FSA

Wellness program

Onsite nurse

Job summary

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) — Sugar Land Lab is seeking a Chemist to oversee laboratory operations within the Water Quality Planning Division. You will supervise staff, ensure QA/QC, and drive data integrity across analyses for water quality programs.

The role emphasizes analytical methods, accreditation maintenance, and collaboration with agency teams to deliver timely, accurate results. A bachelor’s degree in Chemistry is required with environmental lab experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry required.
• Experience in an environmental laboratory and supervising lab programs.
• Experience performing analytical lab analyses and QA/QC activities.
• Experience maintaining a lab's accreditation.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate and oversee technical and administrative operations of the Sugar Land Lab for the Water Quality Planning Division.
• Oversee laboratory administration and provide programmatic and technical recommendations to improve efficiency.
• Develop and maintain expertise in analytical methods and QA/QC systems; oversee data validation and accreditation processes.
• Manage LIMS and ensure accurate, timely reporting and inventory management.
• Develop and maintain training programs for lab staff; ensure safety compliance.
• Maintain QA/QC data, troubleshoot instruments, and assist agency staff and the public.

Skills

Environmental laboratory experience

Lab supervision experience

Analytical techniques

QA/QC experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Tools

LIMS

Job description

Job Description

, ready for a unique opportunity to grow with an environmental state agency? Join TCEQ! We bring passion and drive to carry out our mission of protecting our state's public health and natural resources.

Are you an experienced Chemist, ready for a unique opportunity to grow with an environmental state agency?

Join TCEQ! We bring passion and drive to carry out our mission of protecting our state's public health and natural resources.

Note: To determine qualifications, TCEQ job postings require fully completed applications with a detailed job history. Incomplete applications may lead to disqualification. See below for more details.

YOUR FUTURE TEAM

As part of TCEQ's Office of Water, you would contribute to ensuring clean and available water and protecting Texas' water resources. See details about what we do.

This position is a member of our Water Quality Planning Division.

Here’s What You’ll Be Doing

• Facilitate and/or oversee technical and administrative operations of the Sugar Land Lab (SLL) for the Water Quality Planning Division of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
• Facilitate laboratory administration and provide programmatic and technical recommendations consistent with agency/division/section goals, policy, and performance measures, with particular focus on streamlining processes and improving efficiency and productivity. Manage the lab workload to ensure timely reports to customers. Communicate timely with management on emerging and significant issues.
• Develop and maintain expertise in analytical methodologies, National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) quality systems, customer specifications, and applicable regulations. Assist in oversight and implementation of laboratory quality systems, including maintenance of necessary NELAC accreditation. Review and verify accurate analytical results generated by staff analysts and oversee the data validation process.
• Assist with technical projects, procedures, and reports; support laboratory operations; and ensure efficiency and quality of work products. Oversee the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and coordinate effective development and communication of accurate LIMS reports that assist management in making appropriate data-driven decisions. Oversee lab purchasing in a manner that prevents work stoppages, ensure appropriate inventory is available, and service contracts are timely.
• Develop and maintain the laboratory technical training program; assist with ensuring the professional development of laboratory staff; and coordinate and conduct employee orientation and training. Oversee and ensure adherence to laboratory safety rules and regulations.
• Maintain legally defensible quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) data and records. Perform operational and routine maintenance on and troubleshoot a wide range of analytical instruments and methods. Provide technical assistance and expertise regarding lab functions to agency staff and the public.

Key Qualifications

• Awarded Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from an accredited college or university.
• Experience working in an environmental laboratory and supervising environmental lab programs or functions.
• Experience performing analytical laboratory analyses using equipment, quality assurance/quality control activities, and/or laboratory internal audit evaluations.
• Experience maintaining a lab's accreditation.

Required Education & Experience

A bachelor's degree in a natural or physical science which included 24 semester hours in chemistry from an accredited college or university, plus four years of full-time experience in a chemistry laboratory or with activities directly related to the examples of work performed.

One year (24 semester hours) of graduate study in chemistry may be substituted for one year of the required experience, with a maximum substitution of three years.

One year of full-time experience in the field of Chemist activities may be substituted for each year (30 semester hours) of the required education.

OR

Two years of full-time experience as a Chemist IV at TCEQ.

Employees in this classification series may research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure, including but not limited to a communication infrastructure system, cybersecurity system, electric grid, hazardous waste treatment system, or water treatment facility. See Tex. Business & Commerce Code Section 117.001(2). Accordingly, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a requirement to be hired for and to continue to be employed with TCEQ.

TRANSCRIPT/ COLLEGE HOURS Or COURSE WORK

See instructions on how to attach documents. A copy of your official college transcript or evaluation of foreign credentials in CAPPS is required if needed to meet the qualifications listed above.

Work Schedule

Standard business hours are M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Individual and work group schedule determined by the TCEQ Sugar Land Lab.

Benefits

• Optional 401(k) and 457 plans
• Insurance: Health, Vision, Dental, and optional FSA
• Paid day(s) off from work on national holidays and holidays that the state observes
• Professional development opportunities
• Longevity pay based on your number of years working for the state
• Wellness Program and Activities
• Onsite Nurse Practitioner in HQ
• Work-Life Balance

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

TCEQ will conduct a criminal history records search, driving history (if required for the job) on candidates offered employment.

In compliance with ADA, if you need accommodation during the employment process, please contact HRSS for assistance at [phone].

MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (MOS) CODES

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes can be found at: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/. Please click the hyperlink under `Occupational Category' for the respective Class Title.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is an Equal Opportunity Employer.