Requisition No: 805983
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: CHEMIST SPECIALIST – 37011460
Position Number: 37011460
Salary: $4,333.42 monthly
Posting Closing Date: 07/04/2023
Chemist Specialist
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 Specialist, 37011460, is in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Chemistry Program’s Gas Chromatography (GC) Group in Tallahassee. It is responsible for daily workflow planning and coordination in the GC Group, directing the efforts of professional and technical staff analyzing environmental samples for priority organic pollutants, pesticides, herbicides, and other related compounds of interest to agency programs. This position is critical to satisfying ongoing demands for analyses necessary to support water quality impairment decisions and providing support for other customers, both within and outside the Department of Environmental Protection.
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: $4,333.42 monthly
Your Specific Responsibilities:
The incumbent functions as the GC Work Group Leader in the Chemistry Program. The duties of this position include advanced technical, coordination and general administrative work involved with the analysis of environmental samples for the presence of organic pollutants.
Coordinates and develops daily and weekly work plan for routine and non-routine work. Reviews and verifies that preparations and analyses are carried out adequately within holding times. Reviews and tracks analytical status on existing samples to ensure that turnaround commitments are reasonably met.
Coordinates the investigation of analytical problems encountered in results, installation operation, sample collection and preparation protocol, and analytical procedures.
Coordinates and plans the implementation of new or modified analytical procedures, installation and setup of new instruments. Ensures completion procedural implementation within reasonable time frame. Develops and/or updates standard operating procedures in a timely fashion.
Ensures that laboratory personnel utilize appropriate safety procedures and equipment, and that laboratory personnel stores, processes or disposes chemical wastes in accordance with the Laboratory’s protocols at all times. Employees are kept informed of what task(s) need to be done, the objective of each assigned task, and priority of assigned tasks at all times. Exhibits earnestness to remove work barriers if any at all times. Assists the Administrator with recruitment processes when necessary to ensure they are completed in a timely fashion. Assists with establishing or updating employees’ position descriptions and performance appraisals at opportune times.
Maintains protocols to meet QA/QC objectives of the laboratory. Reviews, verifies and ensures the analytical protocols followed by group personnel are in full compliance with the laboratory quality assurance (QA) plan. Reviews and ensures the analytical reports are adequately documented in accordance with the Pesticides Work Group’s conventional protocol. Develops work plan to ensure that standards are timely prepared, replenished, verified and documented in accordance with the Work Group’s conventional protocol. Assists in the specification of QA objectives and the preparation of the laboratory QA and Standard Operating Procedure manual.
Develops and/or maintains an inventory system to keep adequate quantity of instrument parts, chemicals and supplies in stock for routine and projected analytical needs. Ensures that parts, chemicals and supplies are opportunity ordered, and that purchase requisition procedure is adequately followed.
Performs other tasks related to laboratory operations as needed. Plans, evaluates and recommends new equipment purchases. Assists in preparation of monthly activity and production report, and in the provision of technical assistance to central and district program groups as directed. Testified as an expert witness on section activities as required. Maintains the Group’s responsible work area, glassware and equipment clean and in order. Attends scheduled meetings punctually. Executes other assigned task in a timely fashion. Hold routine meetings with team.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of management principles and practices.
- 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 analyses.
- Skill in the use of scientific laboratory equipment.
- Ability to lead, oversee people.
- Ability to determine work priorities, assign work and insure proper completion of work assignments.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to manage a chemical research, analysis or testing program.
- Ability to conduct chemical research, tests and analysis using scientific methods and techniques.
- Ability to perform quantitatively analysis of scientific data.
- Ability to keep accurate records.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Require a minimum of a B.S. in Chemistry or Biochemistry and 2 years relevant environmental analysis experience.
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.