Chemist 2

In this position, you will be part of the Environmental Assessment Program (EAP), whose mission is to measure, assess, and communicate environmental conditions in Washington. We work to improve the environment for current and future generations through innovative and excellent science and thriving partnerships.

To support this mission, you will analyze complex chemical tests on water, wastewater, sediment, tissue, and hazardous waste in a production environmental laboratory creating legally binding data. You will gain experience in a production laboratory atmosphere, implementing EPA Methods, Standard Methods and following quality assurance protocol. You will also have opportunities to build a network and collaborative relationships in this field of work.

Agency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment and to promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations.

Program Mission: The Environmental Assessment Program provides a range of scientific, monitoring, laboratory, and quality assurance services. Our mission is to measure, assess and communicate environmental conditions in Washington State.

MEL is a production lab that in part is supported by the Inorganics Unit. The Inorganics Unit manages a high sample load successfully by technically skilled staff who communicate and collaborate well.

This position is required to work in the lab five days per week. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled; with an initial screening date of October 20, 2023. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before of October 19, 2023. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information 

About the Department of Ecology

• A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
• Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

Our commitment to DEIR
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

  
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued. 

 

What makes this role unique?

In this role, you will be part of the Inorganics Unit at the Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL), a highly active production lab. You will follow EPA Methods, Standard Methods, and strict Quality Control (QC) protocol. You must be detailed, organized, collaborative, communicative, and comfortable working independently and as part of a team.

What you will do:

• Perform chemical analysis on water samples, nutrient analyses (ammonia, nitrate-nitrite, total nitrogen, total phosphorus) and total organic carbon (TOC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC).
• Provide backup support on analyses primary to other chemist and lab technicians, as needed, performing chemical analysis on samples for parameters including other solid parameters and nutrient samples.
• Engage Ecology’s core competencies in service focus, adaptability/flexibility, communication, accountability, trust/integrity, and relationships.
• Maintain a high degree of accuracy in all work output and communication.
• Maintain professional relationships that are inclusive, collaborative, and respectful.
• Work independently and as part of a team.

Required Qualifications:
Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are:

• 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
• 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

Option 1: A Bachelor's degree with a major study in chemistry OR A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college-level chemistry AND Two years of experience preparing and analyzing environmental samples.

Option 2: A Master's degree or higher with a major study in chemistry OR A Master’s degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college-level chemistry

Option 3: One year of experience performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Must be able to obtain and maintain a federal EPA background check for the Manchester Lab facility.

Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

• Knowledge of standard methods (SM): SM4500PF, SM4500-NH3H, SM4500-NO3I, SM4500-NB, SM4500-PG, SM4500-S-2I.
• Experience performing chemical analysis on environmental samples for nutrients on the FIA.
• Experience in Total organic carbon (TOC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) analyzer, Ion Chromatographer (IC), and BOD analysis.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.


Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

• Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
• If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
• If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.   

Application Instructions:

It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

• A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
• A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
• A list of three professional references.
• College transcripts (unofficial) showing required coursework.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.  
 
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (such as Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

• Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 
• Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 

Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees:

 
Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2 and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

Application Attestation: 

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed. 

Other Information:

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Heidi Chuhran at Heidi.Chuhran@ecy.wa.gov Please do not contact Heidi to inquire about the status of your application.

To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why work for Ecology?

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.   

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days. 

Salary : $59,616 - $80,112