CHEMIST 4

Definition

Under the direction of a manager in a State department, institution or agency, or local jurisdiction, has responsibility for overseeing the staff, research, and testing activities in a chemistry laboratory; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Plans and supervises the various work programs of a major chemistry laboratory.
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• Supervises the identification and analysis of substances found in water, waste water, food, pharmaceuticals, and other sources.
• Selects and establishes standard procedures for the performance of chemical, physical-chemical, biochemical, and toxicological tests and analyses of hygiene samples, milk, food, drugs, water, sewage, industrial waste, and other materials.
• Supervises the performance of qualitative and quantitative organic constituent analysis using approved methods of ion and gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
• Investigates and recommends the purchase of new and replacement equipment and instrumentation; prepares technical specifications for equipment to be purchased by the laboratory.
• Supervises the safety, order, and cleanliness of laboratory areas, and the installation and implementation of new equipment.
• Supervises the preparation of standard chemical reagents used and other reagents of a special nature as may be required.
• Evaluates data collected from analytical instruments and wet chemical analysis.
• Prepares scientific papers for publication, participates in scientific meetings and conferences, and serves on scientific committees.
• Develops standardized procedures and new testing methods as a result of modern developments, including the field of air pollution control.
• 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.
• Supervises the performance of bacteriological (microbiological) analyses for coliform, fecal streptococcus, staphylococcus, and pseudomonas.
• Troubleshoots, diagnoses problems, or make minor adjustments to laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Supervises the preparation of exhibits to be used in court proceedings, and acts as a witness in court.
• Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of reports and correspondence.
• Supervises the maintenance of essential 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.

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

Four (4) years of chemical analysis work in a public health or chemistry laboratory, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

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 conducting 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 Spectrometry, 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 ensure that standards and established procedures are followed when staff performs 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 train 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 ensure that proper procedures are followed when staff performs specific tests and examinations.
• Ability to ensure that laboratory equipment and reagents are used in such a way as to avoid unnecessary breakage and waste and to obtain accurate, reliable results.
• Ability to coordinate the work of the laboratory with the needs of other units within the department.
• Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
• Ability to supervise the preparation of exhibits for use in court proceedings, and act as a witness in court.
• Ability to supervise the preparation of 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 conferences.
• Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• 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.

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 non-supervisory experience.

A Doctorate degree in chemistry may be substituted for two (2) years of non-supervisory 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.