Organic Chemist
Organic Chemist
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Job Description
Position 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
The Organics Chemist will perform the analysis of toxic Volatiles (VOCs) (GC/MS 8260 TO15A) and Semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) by methods that utilize Gas chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MSMS)8270 Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) by method TX1005 using GC/FID and perform soil and water extractions for these methods. The Chemist II will serve as the backup analyst for the Volatile organic compounds lab including analysis of soil water and air samples by EPA Method 8260 EPA TO15A and all sample preparation and extraction involved with these methods. Other methods in development like Oil and Grease will also be required.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Uses standard EPA/ASTM/ISO methodologies and laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) quality system procedures (QSPs) forms with instructions and other documents to prepare (extraction cleanup concentration) and analyze environmental samples. Assist in method development of SVOCs on the GC/MSMS
- Calculates records and interprets analytical results while adhering to approved Standard Operating Procedures.
- Enter analytical results into LIMS.
- Follows quality control protocols in the Laboratory Quality Management System to ensure defensibility of analytical results.
- Perform operation maintenance and troubleshooting of analytical instrumentation associated with sample analysis.
- Performs and serves as backup analyst for other methodology as assigned. (VOCs in air water and soil).
- Prepares media and reagents and performs special analyses for emergency special project and source sampling.
- Performs quality assurance activities such as data review peer review data validation and quality control tracking for analyses as assigned.
- Annually reviewing and revising as necessary the laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as assigned.
- Completes all necessary administrative tasks and documentation as required and requested.
- Performs other lab duties such as sample management hazardous waste management and gas cylinder exchanges/orders
- Updates chemical inventory for the organic section of PCS Lab.
- Ordering of solvents standards and other consumables associated with SVOC and TPH analysis.
- Perform the successful analysis of Proficiency Testing (PT) as required by TCEQ protocols of certification at least twice a year.
- Participates in both internal and external audits as required to maintain certification under TCEQ.
- Performs other job duties as requested.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
you need special services or accommodations please callor email .
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.Requirements
Education:
Bachelors degree in Biology Chemistry Environmental Sciences or related field from an accredited college of university
Experience:
Three 3 years of experience working in a NELAP or equivalent accredited lab
Three 3 years of experience performing SVOC analysis using GC/MS or GC/MS/MS
Two 2 years of experience in maintenance troubleshooting and repairs of GC/MS instruments
Additional Requirements:
Copy of unofficial college transcripts
Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
- Moderate to advanced knowledge of databases and SQL queries.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and work independently.
- Understanding of lab equipment and ability to consult with laboratory chemists managers and support staff to evaluate and modify LIMS system functional specifications;
- Must be highly detailed and organized with excellent analytical and problemsolving abilities as well as displaying excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills such as active listening working together as a team.
- Familiar with chromatographic techniques and principles and method development techniques
- Familiar with the requirements of the analysis SVOCs and/or PFAS in the environment
- Ability to identify unknowns in a sample using mass spectra and NIST library
- Good statistical analysis skills
- Familiar with NELAP state and/or international (ISO) certification requirements.
- Must possess working knowledge of computer applications including Word Excel PowerPoint and be able to operate LIMS and sample tracker programs
- The ability to complete testing documentation and attention to detail
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 butONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. See Resumewill not be accepted for qualifications.
General Information
- Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:
- Fulltime Monday Friday Typically 8 am to 5 pm.
- After hours and/or weekend work on a scheduled oncall basis
- On call during emergency events natural disasters etc.
- This position may require employee to be deployed to alternative county locations during emergency events.
Reporting Relationships:
- Reports to Position: Field Supervisor
- Supervised Positions: None
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
- Professional office environment with frequent interaction with laboratory staff and movement from office to the laboratory on a frequent basis.
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Mostly sedentary but will require frequent visits to the laboratorysome 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.
Employment Type
Full-Time
