Utility Chemist

The City of El Paso Texas; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life and Health Insurance

Tuition Assistance

Wellness Program

Vacation Leave

Job summary

The City of El Paso Texas is seeking a qualified analyst to perform physical, bacteriological and chemical analyses of water, wastewater, biosolids, and reclaimed water across treatment and distribution stages. You will maintain records, operate advanced lab equipment, prepare reagents, and ensure accuracy in testing and data management.

Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related science field and a valid Texas Class C Driver’s License.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related scientific field.
• Knowledge of analytical techniques and quality control concepts is desirable.
• Ability to maintain accurate laboratory records and data management.

Responsibilities

• Perform physical, bacteriological and chemical analyses of water, wastewater, biosolids, and reclaimed water.
• Operate laboratory equipment (spectrophotometry, chromatography) and maintain QC records.
• Prepare reagents, standardize procedures, and upload data to LIS/QC systems.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local water quality standards.
• Substitute for supervisors as needed and assist with special testing projects.

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry / Biochemistry / Biology / Microbiology / Virology / Parasitology

Job description

MOS Code: None

Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree or higher in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Virology, Parasitology, or a related field.

Licenses and Certificates: Valid Texas Class "C" Driver's License or equivalent license issued by another state by the time of appointment.

General Purpose

Under general supervision, perform regular physical, bacteriological and complex chemical analyses of water, wastewater, biosolids, and reclaimed water at all states of collection, processing, treatment, distribution, and disposal.

Typical Duties

Perform physical, bacteriological, and chemical analysis of water and wastewater samples to ensure water quality conforms to federal, state, and local standards. Involves: Collecting samples to be tested at various stages of treatment. Maintain records and databases of samples, tests performed, and results, and notify appropriate supervisors. Operate and maintain laboratory equipment such as that used for advanced spectrophotometry and chromatography. Operate a computer to analyze and maintain records of sample collection, testing, and results. Prepare reagents needed to carry out analyses. Perform standardization procedures on reagents to ensure quality. Perform quality control procedures on distilled water, including calibrating scales, pH meters, nephelometers, conductivity meters, colorimeters, and advanced instrumentation. Perform quality control on chemical procedures carried out in the laboratory. Perform bacteriological testing or special testing as required. Troubleshoot analysis and analytical equipment as needed. Maintain quality control records needed to assure and maintain laboratory certification. Utilize specialized testing procedures and equipment for completion of analyses. Aid in special testing required by consultants and supervisors of special projects. Aid in the preparation of Bio-monitoring and TPDES sampling. Upload and review data in the laboratory information management system. Upload and review quality control data in the laboratory quality control system.

Perform other duties as assigned. Involves: Substitute for supervisor, or coworkers as qualified and within authorized limits, by carrying out specified functions to maintain continuity of operations. Log activities and prepare and submit recurring or special status reports. Maintain current knowledge of chemical testing equipment and procedures and federal, state, and local water quality regulations and standards. Keep tools, equipment, and work area orderly, safe, and clean.

Benefits

LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE

The City of El Paso is a self-insured entity with a third-party administrator for Medical and Pharmacy benefits. Basic Life Insurance Coverage is available at no cost to eligible employees. Additional Life Insurance and coverage for your dependents are also available.

Employees can select optional Dental, Vision, and Short Term Disability coverage. Employees also have the option to participate in a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account (healthcare and/or dependent care for daycare expenses). All of these insurance and coverage options can be configured within a month of your new employee orientation date.

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with access to mental health sessions, therapy, and more is available at no cost. A trained counselors are also available to help you and your dependents cope with life’s stressors so that you can live a happy productive lifestyle.

The City’s Wellness Program seeks to promote better health and wellness amongst the workforce through various programs and incentives in which employees may choose to participate in, to include wellness education, fitness tests, biometric screenings, group fitness, health coaching and so much more!

Keep Learning, Growing & Reinventing Yourself! The City of El Paso's Tuition Assistance Program encourages employee personal and professional development by sharing educational costs with those employees who have successfully completed their original probation, and in turn retain a skillful workforce. Each year, employees can obtain Tuition Assistance for Degree, Certifications, Continuing Education, and Books & Equipment.

ELIGIBILITY FOR VACATION LEAVE

All regular employees who are regularly scheduled to work on an average, a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week, who have held a position in the City Service for a period of six months from date of employment, shall be eligible for vacation allowance as hereinafter set forth. Part-time employees shall accrue vacation leave at a pro-rated amount of full-time entitlement based on the number of hours that they are scheduled to work. Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements shall accrue vacation as provided in the applicable agreement.

For 0 - 5 Years Of Service (12 Days)

Regular employees in the City Service shall accrue vacation credit at the following rates per pay period, calculated from the date of employment of each employee:

40 hour per week employees - 3.70 hours per biweekly pay period

For >5 to 15 years of service (17 days):

40 hour per week employees - 5.24 hours per biweekly pay period

For >15 or more years of service (20 days):

40 hour per week employees - 6.16 hours per biweekly pay period

SICK LEAVE WITH PAY

Employees shall be entitled to accrue sick leave with pay in accordance with the Rules of the Civil Service Commission.

ACCIDENT WITH PAY LEAVE

The Amended Section 4.4 of the Ordinance shall become effective upon adoption and shall apply to occupational injuries and occupational diseases occurring on and after date of adoption. Occupational injuries and occupational diseases occurring before such date will be governed by the Ordinance in effect at the time of the date of injury or disease.

PREGNANCY LEAVE

• Pregnancy shall be treated the same as any other temporary physical disability.
• An employee on pregnancy leave shall use accumulated and unused regular sick leave time and then (unless granted use of special sick leave) shall be on leave without pay, unless the employee chooses to use any accumulated and unused annual leave.
• An employee going on pregnancy leave shall give written notice to her department head with appropriate medical verification. Before returning to work from pregnancy leave, the individual will provide appropriate medical documentation releasing the employee to return to work, as is required for any individual who has been on leave for a temporary physical disability.

LEGAL HOLIDAYS

• First day of January (New Year's Day)
• Third Monday in January (Martin Luther King Holiday)
• Thirty-first day in March (Cesar Chavez Day)
• Last Monday in May (Memorial Day)
• June 19 (Juneteenth)
• Fourth day of July (Independence Day)
• First Monday in September (Labor Day)
• Eleventh Day in November (Veteran's Day)
• Fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day)
• The Friday following the fourth Thursday in November (Day after Thanksgiving)
• Twenty-fifth Day in December (Christmas Day)
• Employee's Birthday

In addition to the above days, the following days are also declared to be legal holidays: 1. Any day designated as a holiday by City Council. 2. When any legal holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday shall be considered a legal holiday. 3. When any legal holiday falls on a Sunday, the following business day shall be considered a legal holiday.