Requisition No: 811592
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: CHEMIST II – 37010722
Position Number: 37010722
Salary: $3,387.02 Monthly
Posting Closing Date: 09/19/2023
CHEMIST II
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection
Our Organization and Mission:
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship – protecting our air, water, and land. The vision of DEP is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystem.
The Work You Will Do:
The Chemist II, position number 37010722, is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Chemistry Program, Nutrients section in Tallahassee and will be responsible for preparing and analyzing environmental samples for chemical characteristics and inorganic analytes. The data generated by the chemist is used for environmental assessment and restoration activities.
The Difference You Will Make:
Water and natural resources are the foundation of Florida’s communities, economy, and way of life. The Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) is charged with protecting, maintaining, and improving the quality of Florida’s springs, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters. DEAR team members provide the department and other resource agencies with the highest quality laboratory services available; provide technical support to the department and the public regarding water quality analysis and data quality assurance (QA); manage water quality data repositories for data storage and use by the department, other agencies and the public; and work together to monitor and assess Florida’s surface water and groundwater quality, develop strategies to reduce pollution, and work closely with local stakeholders to implement comprehensive restoration strategies that improve the lives of all Floridians and preserve aquatic resources for generations to come.
How You Will Grow:
DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies. We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.
Where You Will Work:
The work location of this position is in Tallahassee (Leon County), Florida. The city hosts the Capital of Florida and seat of state government. The city is home to numerous parks offering outdoor activities, league sports and natural trails for running, hiking and biking. Tallahassee is located just 22 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, which is home to some of the world’s top beaches. Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Community College and several smaller colleges in the region offer a hub for academic research, athletics, art, music and other student activities.
The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:
- Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
- Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
- State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
- Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
- Flexible Spending Accounts;
- Tuition waivers;
- And more!
For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com
Pay:
$3,387.02 Monthly
Your Specific Responsibilities:
In carrying out the duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware of and abide by the Department’s Standards of Conduct, as well as any and all departmental and/or work unit rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position.
The duties of this position involve the preparation and analysis of environmental samples following approved standard operating procedures (SOPs) within established turnaround times. This includes performing data entry functions, record keeping, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
Performs assigned analyses in accordance with the Laboratory Quality Assurance Plan and Safety Plan. May make recommendations for corrective action and assist with work coordination tasks in defined areas of operation. Assists in the maintenance of standard operating procedures (SOPs). Prepares calibration and quality control (QC) standards as well as reagents. Monitors supplies and assists in the preparation of purchase requests in area of responsibility. Keeps work area clean and organized. Follows all laboratory safety standards and protocols as prescribed in the safety plan and applicable standard operating procedures.
Performs instrument maintenance, troubleshooting, and coordinates repair as necessary to minimize downtime of the instrumentation and to optimize work flow. Assists senior level chemists with the development of new analytical procedures for inorganic compounds. Trains new laboratory personnel.
Performs calculations and data entry functions for analytical results. Reports results within laboratory time schedules. Calculates, and documents results of quality control data.
Provides analytical support in other work areas as requested by the lead worker. Performs and documents meta data in support of analytical procedures performed to meet all applicable requirements for the laboratories’ certification.
Performs other related duties as directed.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of the terminology, principles and techniques of chemical research, analysis or testing.
- Knowledge of the procedures, techniques and equipment used in laboratory testing and analysis.
- Skill in the use of laboratory equipment and materials.
- Skill in performing laboratory tests, or analyses, or preparations.
- Ability to perform all calculations and assessments necessary to report data in compliance with all applicable rules.
- Ability to understand and follow technical instructions relating to laboratory testing and analysis.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to perform laboratory tests and analyses.
- Ability to perform basic arithmetical calculations.
- Ability to maintain and troubleshoot analytical instrumentation.
- Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
- Ability to keep accurate and complete records.
- Ability to plan and organize daily workload.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
- Ability to work a daily schedule from 9 am to 6 pm within a 40-hour workweek.
- Ability to work after hours or on weekends if requested by the supervisor.
- Ability to stand for long periods of time, perform repetitive movements, and lift and carry up to 30 lb. weights for short distances.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the physical or natural sciences and one year of relevant professional experience. Professional experience can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.
DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferrable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses:
HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us
HR_Recruitment@dep.state.fl.us
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.