Chemist

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners is seeking qualified candidates for a Chemist to support the Natural Resources Division- Environmental Monitoring Laboratory

General Description

Performs advanced scientific work with supervisory laboratory analysis responsibility for air and water pollution investigation and code enforcement.

Works under general supervision, independently developing work methods and sequences.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Requires a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in chemistry or closely related field including six (6) months of experience in laboratory field work in the area of assignment.

Special Certifications and Licenses

Possess and maintains a valid Florida Class E Driver's License based on area of assignment.

Preferences

Duties and Responsibilities

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the job as necessary.

The position requires knowledge of analytical techniques related to the analyses of nutrients, metals and/or organics in environmental samples, using highly technical instrumentation that includes Ion Coupled Plasma Spectrometer (ICPMS), Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) and a Segmented Flow Analyzer depending on the assigned area. It also requires knowledge of wet chemistry techniques for the analyses of total suspended solids and turbidity. Candidates with experience analyzing microbiology environmental samples using IDEXX will also be considered. The position requires method development and troubleshooting skills for the instrumentation assigned. NELAP experience is required.

In addition to the responsibilities listed in the Classification Description, this position will be responsible for: (1) data entry in the LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System), (2) maintain National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) requirements for the methods assigned and (3) assist in the field for sampling as needed.

Analyzes samples of different chemistry types while adhering to many Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) regulations.

Enters data into Lab lynx computer software. Data is used in reports submitted to the state.

Collects and manages records as well as samples for predetermined amount of time.

Analyzes process, compliance, and regulatory samples using gravimetric, colorimetric, and microbiological analysis.

Records management of standards, data, maintenance, reagents, media, temperatures, and supplies.

Performs chemical/biochemical analysis including Biochemical Oxygen Demand, solids, turbidity, and chlorine titrations.

Performs Microbiological analysis including Total and Fecal Coliform by membrane filtration and Total coliform by Colilert.

Performs Instrumental Analysis such as Ion Chromatography for Nutrients and Gas Chromatography for Organics.

Analyzes chemical and microbiological analyses for the wastewater plant.

Reports analytical data into a Laboratory Information Management System.

Performs advanced analytical procedures on spectrophotometers and electrode instrumentation.

Prepares reagents for the Chemical Requisition Program for the water and wastewater plants.

Extracts semi-volatile organics samples from water, soil and wastes for Gas Chromatography (GC)/Mass Spectrometry (MS) and GC analysis.

Analyzes the prepared samples for petroleum, herbicides and pesticides. Enters the analytical results into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

Prepares organics glassware for sample extraction per Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protocols.

Assists with data entry and Quality control (QC) checking for the laboratory. Monitors temperatures for laboratory sample refrigerators for QC purposes.

Receives laboratory samples and enters them into the LIMS.

Assists with test designing for various laboratory methods in the LIMS and fixing errors which occur in test methods.

Assists field personnel in sampling events when necessary.

Assists field inspectors with sampling kits, sampling methods, and associated submission paperwork.

Performs related work as assigned.

Competencies

• Tech Savvy:
  Anticipates and adopts innovations in business-building digital and technology applications. Successfully leverages the latest technologies to increase performance. Quickly embraces and masters new technological advances adopted by the organization. May help others learn the terminology.
• Manages Complexity:
  Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Looks at complex issues from multiple angles; explores issues to uncover underlying issues and root causes; sees the main consequences and implications of different options.
• Decision Quality:
  Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. Knows when to act independently and when to escalate issues. Integrates various inputs, decision criteria, and trade-offs to make effective decisions. Typically makes good independent decisions.
• Optimizes Work Processes:
  Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. Uses metrics and benchmarks to monitor accuracy and quality. Takes steps to make methods productive and efficient. Promptly and effectively addresses process breakdowns.
• Ensures Accountability:
  Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. Accepts responsibility for own work, both successes and failures. Handles fair share and does not make excuses for problems. Usually meets commitments to others.
• Drives Results:
  Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. Holds self to high standards of performance; sets some challenging goals; wants to achieve meaningful results; pursues initiatives/efforts to successful completion and closure. Focuses on key goals, even during setbacks and obstacles.
• Communicates Effectively:
  Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Listens attentively and takes an interest. Keeps others well informed; conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing.

Physical Demands

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

Performs light work that involves walking or standing most of the time and involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis, or skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs on repetitive operation of mechanical or electronic office or shop machines or tools within moderate tolerances or limits of accuracy.

Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment)

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

Involves routine and frequent exposure to toxic/caustic chemicals.

County Core Values

All Broward County employees strive to demonstrate the County's four core behavioral competencies.

• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Customer focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Instills trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Values differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.

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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance

Broward County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion. Broward County is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. We support the hiring of people with disabilities; therefore, if you require assistance due to a disability, please contact the Professional Standards Section in advance at 954-357-6500 or email Profstandards@broward.org to make an accommodation request.

County-wide Emergency Responsibilities

Note: During emergency conditions, all County employees are automatically considered emergency service workers. County employees are subject to being called to work in the event of a disaster, such as a hurricane, or other emergency situation and are expected to perform emergency service duties, as assigned.

County-wide Employee Responsibilities

All Broward County employees must serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord with the letter and spirit of Broward County's Employee Code of Ethics, gift, and conflict of interest policies.

All Broward County employees must establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, elected and appointed officials and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression.