Research Chemist

The Position

THE LABORATORY

East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Laboratory is a full-service, production-oriented, environmental laboratory using cutting-edge technology to characterize the chemical, physical, biological, and microbial properties of a wide range of environmental samples in support of 1.

4 million drinking water customers and 740,000 wastewater customers. Laboratory data is used for regulatory compliance, process monitoring and control, operational and capital improvement projects, and special studies for drinking water, wastewater, recycled water, biosolids, resource recovery programs, etc.

The Laboratory operates 365 days a year and is certified by California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) under the stringent lab certification regulatory requirements (TNI standard) for environmental laboratories.

THE POSITION

The Research Chemist position is a career opportunity for a motivated and established professional. The Research Chemist plans, directs and performs new method validation and complex applied chemistry research in the identification and quantitation of chemical compounds present in water, wastewater and other environmental matrices using highly sophisticated laboratory instruments including GC / MS, ICP-OES, ICP-MS and their associated data processing systems.

In addition, the Research Chemist routinely performs production environmental analyses and trains staff up to 60% of the time.

Areas of responsibility include :

Technical expertise and leadership

Operating and training others in the operation of the GC / MS, ICP-MS, or other instrumentation to detect, identify, and quantitate various organic or inorganic compounds;

acting as technical lead in the assigned area.

Developing or modifying technical procedures in the operation of the GC / MS or ICP-MS instruments and in other analytical procedures or instruments;

planning, writing and organizing applications, proposals, submittals, and researching and making recommendations on the scope and goals of assigned projects.

• Developing new or optimizing existing analytical methods and procedures based on contaminants of emerging concern, special projects or regulatory changes.
• Calibrating and evaluating instrument capability, troubleshooting, and making appropriate adjustments or modifications to procedures / instrumentation.
• Collaborating on or leading applied research projects, including preparation of proposals, applications and project plan, schedule and budget development.
• Preparing and updating written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other quality assurance / quality control (QA / QC) procedures and documentation.
• Providing input and making recommendations regarding laboratory goals and program planning and scheduling; assisting in implementing, evaluating, and monitoring the application of methods and protocols per the established laboratory QA / QC standards within the assigned area.
• Conferring with other EBMUD employees, representatives of governmental, industry and other professional organizations on matters related to assigned research or continuous laboratory improvement projects.
• Responding to client questions and explaining scientific concepts or data to client's satisfaction.
• Keeping current on technology to optimize laboratory work, advising supervisor and planning for budget development including instrument purchases.
• Evaluating new instrumentation and equipment for improved efficiency.
• Taking the lead or assisting chemists to validate and obtain certification for new analytical instrumentation and methods.
• Troubleshooting instruments, methods and procedures to assist chemists and technicians.
• Reviewing data for scientific accuracy and QA / QC compliance.
• Independently researching literature, designing experiments, interpreting results, writing reports and advising team members.
• Calibrating and evaluating instrument capability and making appropriate adjustments or modifications to procedures. Providing evaluation and recommendations for instrument purchases, as required.

Data and report management

• Using and maintaining a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); assisting in the resolution of issues such as data upload and management system errors.
• Using and developing spreadsheets for data analyses, calculations and interpretation; effectively utilizing data mining tools.
• Maintaining records of scientific data and other documentation; may prepare technical reports, presentations, and scientific papers for publication, memoranda, and other documents.
• Identifying applied research opportunities and submitting credible, comprehensive proposals.

Regulatory support

• Keeping abreast of current regulations affecting environmental laboratory compliance.
• Reviewing proposed regulations and advising EBMUD of consequences; proposing appropriate alternatives.

The Research Chemist is the technical lead in instrumental analysis of environmental samples. The ideal candidate would blend experience in a production laboratory setting with innovative analytical work to support applied research.

The ideal candidate will clearly demonstrate :

• strong motivation to optimize and automate procedures within the laboratory.
• experience leading and performing method validation using complex instrumentation.
• extensive experience in a production environmental laboratory.
• effective verbal communication, technical writing and presentation skills.
• ability to maintain a positive work environment and professional collaborative relationships.
• comprehensive knowledge of EPA-promulgated and other standard methods for chemical and biological analyses.
• QA / QC experience in a certified laboratory.
• experience with Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC).

Knowledge of :

• theoretical and analytical organic and inorganic chemistry.
• principles, practices, and quantitative methods of organic and inorganic chemistry.
• scientific research methodology and statistical analysis.
• laboratory methods, certification and safety.
• fundamentals of instrumental analysis.

Ability to :

• apply theoretical organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry to research.
• conduct scientific research using complex and sophisticated instruments to isolate, identify and quantify organic and inorganic compounds.
• accurately compile, analyze and interpret scientific data.
• prepare technical reports and successful grant proposals.
• communicate and work effectively with others.
• form and lead research projects and teams.
• train professional and sub-professional workers.

The salary range is $10,678 per month increasing to $11,212, $11,773, $12,362 and $12,980 after 6, 18, 30, and 42 months, respectively.

EBMUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, marital or registered domestic partnership status, age for individuals age forty or older, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental or physical), medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veterans status, family or medical leave status, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical condition), pregnancy disability leave status, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and other categories protected by federal, state and / or local laws.

Requirements

1.A bachelor's degree with major work in organic or inorganic chemistry.

2.Four years' experience conducting complex quantitative chemical analyses of organic or inorganic compounds, one year of which must have included independent applied research using GC / MS or closely related technology.

• 3. Visual acuity to read materials in print, on the computer, mobile devices, and to discern color variation; hearing sufficient to communicate in person and on the telephone;
• physical capacity to sit for prolonged periods of time; manual dexterity to operate a keyboard and equipment; sufficient physical mobility to travel from site to site;

sufficient agility to climb stairs and traverse uneven terrain; and maintain a physical condition necessary for standing, walking, or bending for prolonged periods of time.

Must possess physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the job. Must be willing to work overtime as needed.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. To be considered under the "equivalent combination of education and experience" provision, it is your responsibility to include in your application materials written evidence of employment performed at the level of the typical duties of this position and / or coursework in subject areas directly related to this position.

For more information, see our FAQ page at http : / / www.ebmud.com / jobs / job-resources / job-faqs-frequently-asked-questions / .

The Selection Process

1.Submit a completed EBMUD application and the required supplemental question responses online at www.ebmud.com by 4 : 30 p.

m., October 18, 2024. Only application materials submitted online during the filing period will be accepted.

2.Candidates must achieve a passing score on each test part in order to advance to the next step in the selection process.

3.All qualified applications and supplemental responses will be competitively evaluated, with those candidates receiving a passing score to be invited to a panel interview.

4.Successful candidates will be placed on the hiring list, based on rank, for further consideration to fill the current regular vacancy, as well as others occurring over the next 12 to 24 months.

5.The probation period for this position is 12 months. For those holding civil service status the probation period is 6 months.

6.All employment offers are conditional, pending the results of a Live Scan background screening. All selected finalists must participate in the Live Scan background screening process to remain in consideration for EBMUD employment.

Supplemental Information

As the first step in the selection process, responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted online with the regular EBMUD application.

Response content, organization and writing capability will be evaluated. Please provide thorough, accurate descriptions of assignments you have personally performed.

Should you respond with comments such as "see application" or "see resume" instead of addressing the questions directly, your application will not be considered.