Consumer Product Chemist (Chemist 3) (In-Training)
- Description
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Keeping Washington Clean and EvergreenProtecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We have a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology is a good fit.
The Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) is looking to fill Consumer Product Chemist (Chemist 3) (In-Training) position. The position will be located at the Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL) in Port Orchard, WA.
The Consumer Product Chemist conducts research and development on chemicals of interest on complex matrices including consumer products. Develops extraction and analytical methods to determine the concentration of organic compounds using analytical techniques including GCFID, GCPID, GCMS, LCMS, and LCMSMS. Serves as backup operator for other organic parameters as necessary. Reviews and performs final peer review of analytical data packages to validate analytical results from contract laboratories for organic compounds by GC, GCMS, GCMSMS, LCMS, and LCMSMS. Reviews and performs final peer review of analytical data packages to validate analytical results for pesticides and PCBs by GC-ECD, herbicides, pesticides, BNAs, and PBDEs by GC-MS and NWTPH fuels methods. Designated by the Department of Ecology as a Specialist for GCMS and LCMS analysis.
We are looking for applicants who have excellent people and communication skills, who can generate legally defensible analytical data for environmental clients and who have demonstrated the ability to research and develop new analytical methods and techniques.
As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability. Maybe you’ve seen some of our recent stories on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.
To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecy.wa.gov.
Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts - Duties
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The Environmental Assessment Program provides a range of scientific, monitoring, laboratory, and quality assurance services. Its mission is to measure and assess environmental conditions in Washington State.
Some of the key work activities at the Chemist 3 level include:
- Performs complex analyses on consumer product samples for semi volatile and volatile organics by GCFIDPID, and GC/MS – standard and reagent preparation, calibrating, sample analysis, QC checks, instrument maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Researches new sample preparation, extraction, and analyses of new semivolatile and volatile organic compounds.
- Performs peer/final review analytical data from commercial laboratories including the review of analytical raw data and writing case narratives outlining the correctness and completeness of the data.
- Data management – performs data reduction, reviews data, inputs data into LIMS, generates reports, prepares data package including case narrative, and submits the package for peer review. Assists with sample coordination and subcontracting.
- Evaluates QAPPs and answers customer’s technical questions.
To broaden the candidate pool, we will consider candidates that qualify at the Chemist 2 and 3 levels. Please read the qualifications section below to learn more about this exciting career growth and in-training opportunity.
- Qualifications
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Required Qualifications:
At the Chemist 2 level – Pay range 54 – ($3985 – $5229 – Monthly)
A Bachelor’s degree with a major in chemistry or a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level chemistry
AND
Two (2) years of experience performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory using GCMS or GCMSMS techniques following EPA methodologies.
OR
One year of experience as a Chemist 1.
NOTE: A Master’s degree will substitute for two (2) years of the required experience provided a Bachelor’s degree and the required college-level chemistry has been achieved.
At the Chemist 3 level – Pay range 60 – ($4623 – $6062 – Monthly)
A Bachelor’s degree with a major study in chemistry or a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college-level chemistry
AND
Four (4) years of total experience performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory using GCMS or GCMSMS techniques following EPA methodologies.
OR
Two (2) of experience as a Chemist 2.
NOTE: A Master’s degree will substitute for two years or a Ph.D. degree will substitute for three (3) years of the required total experience provided a Bachelor’s degree and the required college-level chemistry have been achieved. However, one (1) year of experience with EPA methodologies cannot be substituted by education.
Required knowledge – Knowledge of EPA methodologies for organic analyses and preparation methods for SVOCs and VOCs using GC, LCMS, LCMSMS, GCMS, or GCMSMS techniques. Thorough knowledge of EPA Methods 3546, 8260, 8270, 8321, 8315, 524, 525, 624, 625, 1624, 1625.
Required Abilities/Competencies – Pass Performance Test samples. Develop analytical methods for new compounds or techniques. Operate and maintain GCMS, GCMSMS, LCMS, or LCMSMS instrumentation.
Analyze all samples responsible for and produce legally defensible data.- Be able to read, understand and follow chemical analysis methods, SOPs and quality assurance/control guidelines.
- Be able to properly make up standard solutions.
- Be able to prepare and clean up extracts.
- Be able to operate, maintain and troubleshoot the GCMS, Purge and Trap, Ion Trap MS, and GCFID Purge and Trap and other equipment and keep them in good working order.
- Be able to interpret quality control data and make sound data quality decisions.
- Be able to record and maintain clear written records of analysis functions and quality assurance/control activities.
- Be able to analyze performance testing samples at a 100% success rate.
- Be able to operate analytical balances, ovens and N-evap and keep them in good working order.
- Be able to utilize syringes, volumetric ware and small hand tools.
Desired Qualifications:
Preferred experience – Over 8 years of experience analyzing environmental and/or consumer product samples for semi volatile and/or volatile compounds by GC, LCMS, LCMSMS, GCMS, and/or GC/MS/MS using EPA SW-846 methodologies or similar methods working in government or private laboratories with increasing responsibility.
Preferred competencies:- Be able to operate and maintain the Agilent 5890 and 6890 with FID and PID detectors.
- Be able to operate and maintain the Agilent 6890 with 5973, 5975, and/or 5977 MS or equivalent
- Be able to operate and maintain the Agilent 1160 HPLC and LS MS or equivalent
- Be able to operate and maintain the Archon autosampler
- Be able to operate and maintain the OI 4660 Purge and Trap Concentrator.
- Be able to effectively troubleshoot instrumentation.
- Effectively enter and report analytical data using Promium’s Element.
- Thorough knowledge of instrument acquisition and chromatography software.
- Thorough knowledge of EPA Methods 3546, 8260, 8270, 8315, and 8321.
- Sample preparation techniques using cyromill following US Consumer Product Safety Commission methodologies.
- Organics and Metals sample extraction/digestion techniques following EPA methodologies using Microwave Assisted Extraction, Automated Solvent Extraction and Soxtherm techniques.
- Be able to perform Level IV data validation of analytical data from contract laboratories.
Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:
Must successfully pass federal ePASS background check in order to have access to the federal facility that houses the Ecology laboratory. - Supplemental Information
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Application Instructions:In order to be considered, applicants MUST attach the following documents as an attachment to their application:
- A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required/desired qualifications of this position.
- A resume outlining your professional experience.
- A copy of your college transcript(s) showing your chemistry credits. (This may be an unofficial online transcript. It does NOT need to be a sealed, certified copy. HTML or PDF formats, or a screen print into Word are acceptable. Please do not paste text from the internet into Word).
Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile’s resume text field.
Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including “please see resume”, may disqualify you from further consideration.
Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources at (360) 407-6186.
If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on “Look for Jobs” and select Dept. of Ecology under the “Department” search list. Click “Apply Search.”
Other Information:If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.
If you have specific questions about the position, please email John Weakland at: john.weakland@.ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact John to inquire about the status of your application.
The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.
This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology. All employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the WFSE will, as a condition of employment, either become members of the WFSE and pay membership dues or, as non-members, pay a representation fee as described in the CBA, no later than the 30th day following the effective date of this CBA or the beginning of their employment.
The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
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- State of Washington
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View Job Posting for Agency Information
View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504.
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