City and County of San Francisco

Assignments within this code vary in degree of complexity and responsibility. Under general supervision, performs laboratory analytical tasks and professional duties to evaluate source and receiving waters, drinking water, and distribution/transmission system water quality, water and wastewater plant operations and to determine compliance with state regulations; conducts quantitative and qualitative chemical analyses using a variety of laboratory instruments and wet chemistry, microbiological or toxicity bioassay techniques; keeps detailed and accurate analytical records; uses a laboratory information management system to track, control and report analytical data to variety of water quality clients; conforms to laboratory safe practices; assists bureau and laboratory personnel as necessary to achieve the goals of the department.

The assignments within this professional job code vary in degree of complexity and responsibility that may encompass entry-level through the fully experienced journey/ professional level. Incumbents perform at increasingly higher levels of responsibility with a higher degree of ability and initiative as experience is gained. The Chemist works under the general supervision of a Supervising Chemist and may assist class 2487 in non-routine work and special projects.

Positions at the journey level do not supervise other professional employees, but may coordinate the work of technical personnel (Water Quality Technician).

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Coordinates and performs chemical and physical analyses of water, wastewater, solids, and a variety of environmental matrices using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and appropriate Standard Methods approved methodology to determine regulatory compliance; and performs analyses and whole effluent toxicity tests.

2. Coordinates and performs quantitative and qualitative organic constituent analysis using approved methods of ion and gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and other related instrumentation.

3. Coordinates and performs quantitative and qualitative trace element analysis using approved methods of inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-spectroscopy (ICP-MS), and other related instrumentation.

4. Maintains detailed and accurate instrumental and analytical records; prepares updated control charts for regularly scheduled water and wastewater analyses.

5. Batches, prepares, analyzes, and reports results of environmental samples using the current laboratory information management system.

6. Interprets and summarizes data collected from analytical instruments and wet chemical analyses; summarizes quality assurance data in report form; prepares oral and written reports of analytical activities for management.

7. Troubleshoots and diagnoses rudimentary problems with laboratory instruments and equipment and takes corrective action; performs routine maintenance on laboratory instruments and equipment.

8, Maintain assigned working areas in a clean and organized manner.

9. Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge of: Quantitative and qualitative techniques of analytical chemistry; principles of organic and inorganic chemistry; principles of water and wastewater analyses; quality assurance protocols and general laboratory safety.

Ability to: interpret and summarize analytical data; make independent data quality decisions; apply quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) guidelines; prepare written reports; keep accurate and detailed records and communicate verbally the result of analytical activities; follow laboratory and division safety practices.

Skills to: independently operate analytical instruments, laboratory equipment; and laboratory information management systems.

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification. Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

1. Possession of baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in chemistry or closely related science.

Possession of a current valid California driver's license

Amended: 5/16/14

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.