Chemist 2 (35 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is hiring! We are seeking a qualified individual for the position of Chemist 2. This position is in the Environmental Chemistry Division of the Dr. Katherine A. Kelley State Public Health Laboratory and will support the recommendations of the CT Interagency PFAS Action Plan. The successful candidate for this position will primarily be involved in developing methods for the determination of chemical contamination, specifically per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. The ideal candidate will have familiarity with methods of preparing samples for chemical analysis (for example, acid digestions and solid phase extractions). Knowledge of modern analytical instrumentation, for example Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometry and Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, is a plus. Familiarity with the requirements of modern Quality Systems is important, as is the ability to communicate effectively.

Reporting to the Supervising Chemist, this Chemist 2 will conduct PFAS testing for drinking water to support Local Health Departments, the Department of Public Health Public and Private Drinking Water Programs, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as well as other State agencies as needed. The Chemist 2 will be responsible for duties that will include but are not limited to:

• Implementing PFAS testing at the DPH Lab utilizing PFAS testing instrumentation
• Developing standards and procedures and quality controls for equipment 
• Performing routine as well as new and unusual or difficult analyses and examinations utilizing sophisticated instrumentation
• Calibrating instruments and prepare and standardize solutions and reagents
• Testing samples of drinking water for the presence of PFAS according to Environmental Protection Agency approved methodologies
• Making up and checking standard solutions; utilizing universal laboratory precautions
• Utilizing computers to operate and maintain instrumentation, quality assurance data and test results
• Preparing reports and maintain records of investigations
• Participating in the implementation of quality assurance programs Participating in Ad Hoc PFAS Laboratorian Group
• May act for the Principal Chemist in his or her absence
• May testify in court
• Performs related duties as required

The Mission of the Department of Public Health (DPH) is to protect and improve the health and safety of the people of Connecticut by assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy, preventing disease, injury, and disability, and promoting the equal enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which is a human right and a priority of the state.

DPH accomplishes this through the implementation of its Strategic Plan which outlines the actions that DPH is taking to accomplish its Mission.

Are you interested in joining our team as a Chemist 2? We encourage you to apply today! This position is conveniently located in Rocky Hill, CT. The work schedule for this position is typically Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week.

We offer a competitive benefits package, excellent health care, generous leave policies, retirement plan, and more! We also encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

These positions will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.  

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account. 

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meet the preferred requirements of the position.  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 

Please Note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders 13F (3a) and 13G (3a).

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Chelsea Moore at Chelsea.Moore@ct.gov

In the Departments of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Energy and Environmental Protection, Public Health and Transportation, this class is accountable for independently performing the full range of chemical and/or toxicological examinations and analyses.

Performs routine as well as new and unusual or difficult analyses and examinations utilizing sophisticated instrumentation; calibrates instruments and prepares and standardizes solutions and reagents; conducts chemical analyses of food and dairy products; tests samples and analyzes sewage and solid wastes, drinking water, rivers and other surface and trade waters for evidence of pollution according to standard methods for water analysis; tests air samples for pollutants; tests industrial samples to determine composition; tests environmental samples and effluents for radioactivity; makes up and checks standard solutions; utilizes universal laboratory precautions; utilizes computers to operate and maintain instrumentation, quality assurance data and test results; prepares reports and maintains records of investigations; participates in the implementation of quality assurance programs; may perform analyses of physical evidence resulting from criminal and toxicological cases; may perform biochemical and toxicological analyses of human specimens as well as environmental samples for toxic substances in postmortem and medical/legal cases; may act for the Principal Chemist in his or her absence; may testify in court; performs related duties as required.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: Performs chemical and physical tests on materials such as paint, steel, alloys, cement, hydrated lime, chlorides in paint, soil and concrete, fuel oils and other related materials which are used on construction and maintenance projects; maintains and calibrates equipment; standardizes reagents in chemical testing unit; responsible for inventory control of supplies; control of hazardous wastes and monitoring safety procedures; tabulates and charts in graphic form records of laboratory work.

Considerable knowledge of organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry including equipment, instrumentation and material; considerable knowledge of tests and techniques employed in field of chemistry; knowledge of radiochemistry and occupational hygiene; knowledge of laboratory quality assurance and quality control policies and procedures; knowledge of universal laboratory precautions; knowledge of basic laboratory hazards and safety; considerable skill in performance of analytical tests in field of chemistry; skill in data collection, analysis, and interpretation; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to utilize computer software.

Six (6) years of experience in an industrial, public health, toxicology, medical or materials laboratory involving scientific work in the field of chemistry.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the junior working level in the field of chemistry. For state employees this is interpreted at the level of Chemist 1.

1. College training in chemistry or a related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in chemistry or a related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

• Experience in testing samples for toxic compounds using complex instrumentation, such as Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and/or Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture
• Experience in prioritizing and managing workflow
• Experience training lower level employees
• Experience developing and utilizing laboratory quality assurance procedures and protocols
• Experience writing Standard Operating Procedures
• Experience meeting regulatory and/or certification requirements, including participation in certification audits

1. Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests and immunizations for communicable diseases.
   
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to have specific education and/or experience to meet the various certification and/or licensing requirements.
   
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to undergo and successfully complete security background checks.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.