CHEMIST 3

Definition

Under the general supervision of a higher level supervisory official or manager in a State department or agency, or local jurisdiction, performs various complex and specialized research, chemical analyses, and tests in the laboratory and in the field; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Supervises designated research work and participates in research projects.
• Assigns and instructs Chemist Trainees, Chemists 1 & 2, Laboratory Technicians of any level, Inspectors and/or other employees of the laboratory, and supervises the performance of their work.
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
• Identifies and analyzes substances found in water, waste-water, food, pharmaceuticals, and other sources; evaluates the validity of results.
• Performs and/or supervises the performance of special and complex chemical tests and analyses of hygiene samples, milk, food, drugs, water, sewage, industrial waste, and other materials to determine conformance to established standards.
• Utilizes specialized laboratory equipment to examine substances, identify materials, measure quantities, and evaluate properties of elements and compounds.
• Coordinates and performs, and/or supervises qualitative and quantitative organic constituent analysis using approved methods of ion and gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
• Supervises the safety, order, and cleanliness of laboratory areas, and the installation and implementation of new equipment.
• Prepares standardized chemical reagents regularly used and other reagents of a special nature as may be required.
• Determines the type of analysis or test to be performed on chemicals and materials to establish their properties, characteristics, and chemical compositions.
• Interprets and summarizes data collected from analytical instruments and wet chemical analysis.
• Attends appropriate formal and informal courses of instruction and participates in scientific meetings.
• Implements protocols for new instruments and testing procedures using established references.
• Keeps abreast of current literature in the broad field of chemistry and in a specific chemistry discipline.
• Supervises the performance of complex analytical procedures in specific limited areas, requiring the use of sophisticated instrumentation including gas-liquid chromatographs, high-pressure liquid chromatographs, plasma emission spectrometers, and atomic absorption spectrophotometers.
• Supervises the analysis of urine specimens for drugs of abuse using EMIT procedures; supervises the analysis of blood specimens for lead content, hematocrit, and erythrocyte protoporphyrin.
• Supervises the collection of water samples.
• Performs and/or supervises the performance of bacteriological (microbiological) analyses for coliform, fecal streptococcus, staphylococcus, and pseudomonas.
• Troubleshoots, diagnoses problems, or makes minor adjustments to laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of reports and correspondence.
• Supervises the maintenance of records, reports, and files.
• Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• <u><i>In the Department of Health:</i></u>
• Supervises, coordinates, and reviews the work of a chemical analysis laboratory unit.
• Performs and directs the performance of varied physical, chemical, biochemical, toxicological testing, and analyses on food, milk, drugs, industrial hygiene, and environmental samples.
• Develops standardized procedures where possible and new testing methods as a result of modern developments, including the field of air pollution control.
• Prepares and directs the preparation of exhibits to be used in court proceedings, and acts as a witness in court.
• Prepares letters explaining the results of chemical tests, examinations and analyses, and interpreting the findings.
• Prepares scientific papers for publication, participates in scientific meetings and conferences, and serves on scientific committees.
• <u><i>In the Department of the Treasury:</i></u>
• Performs special and at times complicated chemical tests, examinations, and analyses of varied types of materials and commodities, including paints and varnishes, paint brush bristles, gasoline and fuel oils, coal, plastic tableware, chamois, sponges, and other industrial and institutional supplies.
• Carries out assigned research projects in the field of electrical equipment, including motors, fans, air conditioners, humidifiers; institutional equipment, including mopping tanks, brooms, soap dispensers; and furniture and office equipment.
• Compiles data showing the usefulness and practicality of new and experimental materials and equipment.
• Prepares accurate and detailed records of materials submitted for analysis.
• Prepares technical specifications.
• Prepares technical correspondence.
• Investigates complaints regarding materials purchased by the State of New Jersey.
• Investigates vendors' premises and manufacturing facilities for production of material so that buyers can be informed of how deliveries will be met.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in any natural science or physical science, including or supplemented by twenty-four (24) credit hours in chemistry and/or biochemistry which shall have included a minimum of six (6) credit hours in analytical chemistry.

Experience

Three (3) years of chemical analysis work in a public health or chemistry laboratory.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of chemical laboratory procedures, techniques, equipment, media, reagents, and supplies. Knowledge of the procedures and techniques used when performing and interpreting chemical, physical and biochemical tests, examinations and analyses on milk, food, drugs, water, sewage, trade wastes, air samples, and various industrial and institutional materials, equipment, supplies, and other materials in the laboratory and field. Knowledge of the standards and procedures used when performing chemical tests and analyses. Knowledge of the precautions to be taken when recording and interpreting chemical and related tests and analyses. Knowledge of the methods used to make chemical determinations by Infer Red Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography, Ultraviolet Visible Spectroscopy, Polarography, and Fluorometry. Knowledge of quality control and quality assurance procedures used to assess the validity, accuracy, and precision of chemical tests and analyses. Ability to follow standards and established procedures when performing specific tests, examinations, and analyses of raw materials and finished products, including paints, varnishes, thinners, driers, fuel oils, gasoline, coal, plastic items, carbon papers, chamois, sponges, and other supplies and equipment. Ability to learn and be trained on how to handle potential exposure to hazardous chemicals and infectious material and how to work in such area. Ability to handle various laboratory scenarios such as exposed instruments, equipment noise; as well as potential exposure to hazardous chemicals and infectious material. Ability to plan and lay out work for a large chemical laboratory, develop effective work procedures, and check the results of tests, examinations, and analyses made by staff members. Ability to follow procedures when performing specific tests and examinations. Ability to use laboratory equipment and reagents in such a way as to avoid unnecessary breakage and waste and to obtain accurate, reliable results. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to compile and prepare data required for court proceedings and act as a witness in court. Ability to prepare standard and special reagents. Ability to keep abreast of new discoveries and current literature in the field of chemistry and to develop new and/or revised laboratory and investigational procedures. Ability to write scientific articles and to take part in meetings and conference. Ability to prepare and/or supervise the preparation of reports and correspondence. Ability to supervise the maintenance of records, reports, and files. Ability to read, write, understand and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Some examples of analytical chemistry courses are Mass Spectroscopy, Instrumental Analysis, Gas/Liquid Chromatography, Introduction to Chemical Research Technique, Spectroscopic Methods, Research credits earned using chemistry equipment (GC, HPLC, ICP etc.). Applicants who do not possess a Bachelor's degree, but who do possess the specialized credits outlined above may substitute experience for the remaining education (years necessary to complete the degree) on a year-for-year basis. A Master's degree in chemistry may be substituted for one (1) year of experience as indicated above. A Doctorate degree in chemistry may be substituted for two (2) years of experience. In local government, appointees to water analysis positions may be required to have successfully completed a formal course in the operation of atomic absorption and gas chromatography laboratory equipment, or in lieu of the course, six (6) months of experience in the operation of such equipment. The responsibility for ensuring completion of the course or experience in the use of specialized laboratory equipment rests with the Appointing Authority. Appointees may be required to perform physical activities such as lifting, carrying, and standing for an extended period of time. Appointees may be required to get vaccinations or submit vaccination records. Appointees may be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment. CC3E2627R25-SC4E26N/AR27- This job specification is for and government use. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 3/27/2021