Organic Chemist

Job description

Company Description Job Description The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) enriches the environment and protects public health for all New Yorkers by providing 1.1 billion gallons of high quality drinking water, managing wastewater and stormwater, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution. DEP is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country, with nearly 6,000 employees. DEP's water supply system is comprised of 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes throughout the system’s 2,000 square mile watershed that extends 125 miles north and west of the City. ******ONLY FOR CITY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ALREADY PERMANENT IN THE ASSOCIATE CHEMIST TITLE****** The Bureau of Water Supply, Division of Distribution Water Quality (DWQ) is seeking to hire an Associate Chemist Level III, to serve as an Organic Chemist in the Organic Chemistry section of the Distribution Laboratory. Under direction, of the Organic Chemistry Section Supervisor, the Associate Chemist III will serve as the Organic Chemist and will perform routine and responsible qualitative and quantitative analyses of trace organic contaminants in drinking water using complex gas chromatographic methods and analyze water samples for volatile and semi-volatile compounds following New York State approved drinking water testing methods in compliance with all applicable environmental, health and safety regulations and DEP’s policies and procedures. Specific duties include: - Performing routine analytical testing using drinking water organic chemistry approved methods following written protocols. - Conducting routine laboratory quality control procedures according to Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP)/ The Nelac Institute (TNI) protocols and the DWQ Quality Assurance Manual while ensuring that analyses are performed in accordance with regulatory requirements for drinking water. - Implementing methods for organic analysis of drinking water samples. Which includes but is not limited to: Selecting reagents, preparing specifications for equipment to be purchased, preparing method standard operating procedures (SOPs), and obtaining initial Quality Control (QC) objectives. - Reviewing QC data generated by analysts; monitoring QC charts and tables for accuracy; entry of data into QC charts and tables; and devising protocols for the preparation of calibration standards and QC solutions. - Identifying errors or potential problems that could result in errors; and taking corrective actions; and evaluating the corrective actions taken, to prevent recurrence. - Assisting with the enhancement to the automated Laboratory Information System (STARLiMS) for data record keeping and report generation to meet the needs for the section including appropriate QC validation rules and electronic transfer of data. Reviews data and generates reports. - Maintaining inventories of equipment and supplies. - Operating and maintaining analytical instruments in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, diagnosing instrument problems and performing routine maintenance of analytical instrumentation making minor repairs, adjustments and calibrations as needed. (This is a brief description of what you might do in this position and does not include all the duties of this position.) ******ONLY FOR CITY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ALREADY PERMANENT IN THE ASSOCIATE CHEMIST TITLE****** Additional Information: Some of the physical activities performed by Associate Chemists and environmental conditions experienced are: lifting and carrying packages weighing approximately 20 pounds for a distance of 30 feet; performing duties in confined work areas; wearing protective garments such as respirators, gloves, lab coats, and goggles; handling and manipulating laboratory equipment and instruments/tools such as glass and plastic ware and lab tools, etc.; adjusting settings on machines which require fine finger and hand coordination and control; and collecting samples at sites in all weather conditions. Health and Safety requirements for an Associate Chemist Level III include being familiar with, and complying with applicable environmental, health & safety (“EH&S”) laws and regulations, and DEP’s EH&S policies and procedures as set out in Employee Environmental, Health and Safety Handbook that relate to work assignments and work environment. As well as reporting any instance of non-compliance, or issue of concern regarding violation of policy, standards or procedures to supervisor or appropriate authorities. Special Working Conditions: Associate Chemists may be required to work all hours of the day or night and Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. ******ONLY FOR CITY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ALREADY PERMANENT IN THE ASSOCIATE CHEMIST TITLE****** Preferred Skills: - Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite software including Excel, Word, Power Point, SharePoint and Teams - Familiarity with database systems such as STARLIMS brand Laboratory Information Management System - Ability to analyze samples accurately and precisely - Ability to utilize the New York State Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP) administered in accordance with directives of the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (TNI), and Standard Methods for assigned analysis to obtain Quality Control objectives - Analytical ability - Interpersonal skills - Communication skills both written and oral - Time management Hours and Shift: 35 Hours per week. Day shift; may be required to work nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Work Location: 96-05 Horace Harding Expressway Flushing, NY 11368 ASSOCIATE CHEMIST - 21822 Qualifications Qualification Requirements A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, including or supplemented by 16 semester credits in chemistry and 8 semester credits in any one or a combination of the following areas: chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, environmental science, forensic science, or other natural science. Certificate Requirement At the time of appointment to a clinical laboratory, candidates must possess a valid License as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist issued by the New York State Education Department. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment. Additional Qualification Requirements For Assignment Level II and above. To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level II and above, individuals must have, after meeting the minimum requirements described for Assignment Level I, at least two years of fulltime satisfactory experience performing chemical or physical analyses in a laboratory. Education may be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 graduate semester credits from an accredited college in any of the areas of study described in the qualification requirements above for one year of experience. However, all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college with the specialized credits as described above. Additional Information The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.