7/9/91
Rev 6/92

City of San José

RESEARCH CHEMIST (5118)

 CLASS PURPOSE
   Under direction, supervises and performs professional and technical work of a difficult nature, leading professional staff in the qualitative and quantitative chemical and physical analyses of water, wastewater, industrial waste and related materials. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESULTS (Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed.)

• Develops and directs instrumental and wet chemical analyses on water, wastewater, industrial waste and related samples for specific inorganic and organic substances.
• Monitors and evaluates problems related to plant operations and laboratory analyses and recommends solutions to alleviate such problem situations.
• Supervises, directs and/or conducts complex applied research in the identification and quantification of chemical compounds present in water and wastewater using highly sophisticated analytical instrumentation.
• Responsible for the operation of sophisticated analytical instrumentation related to ultra-trace chemical determinations, its associated data processing system, and other related analytical support equipment.
• Develops and modifies technical procedures in the operation of sophisticated analytical instrumentation, and in other analytical procedures associated with sample development and transformation.
• Determines sampling procedures and programs, implements the quality assurance/quality control program, and recommends methods and procedures for implementation into normal laboratory operations.
• Supervises and trains chemists and laboratory technicians.
• Assists in the planning, preparation and formulation of specifications for state-of-the-art instrumentation and equipment replacements.
• Compiles, records and manages laboratory date and records.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
   This is the lead or supervisory professional level class in the Chemist series, reporting to the Laboratory Supervisor. Incumbents perform the more difficult chemical and physical analyses and supervise chemists and laboratory technicians in performing testing requirements. This class is distinguished from Chemist in that it has supervisory responsibilities over that class.

QUALIFICATIONS
   Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of physical, organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry.
• Knowledge of modern laboratory procedures, techniques and equipment, and the ability to utilize such equipment.
• Knowledge of mathematics, biochemistry, toxicology and microbiology routinely utilized in a chemical or environmental laboratory.
• Knowledge of standard and sophisticated (state-of-the-art) laboratory equipment, instruments and procedures.
• Knowledge of local, state and federal environmental laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety and quality assurance methods and procedures.
• Ability to perform specialized research work on problems of a chemical, biochemical or physical nature.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate and concise written technical reports.
• Ability to critically review chemical literature, technical reports and documents, and data concerning process performances evaluations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Competency Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of instrumental analytical methods and their application to environmental analyses.
• Knowledge of data processing and control strategies utilized in laboratory environments for data storage, manipulation and statistical analysis.
• Knowledge and ability to perform specialized and sophisticated physical, biological and chemical determinations with regard to the environmental characterization of water, wastewater, industrial waste and related materials.
• Knowledge of administrative, supervisory and management principles with regard to the operation of an environmental laboratory.
• Ability to direct the work of other chemists and other sub professionals; train professional and sub professional workers in the field of research; work effectively with others; communicate effectively with others.
• Ability to provide lead direction, supervision and training.
• Ability to conduct methods development and instrument optimization on state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation.

Training And Experience
   Any combination of training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, environmental science, environmental chemistry or related discipline, plus three years of professional chemistry experience conducting complex quantitative analyses, including at least two years of independent applied research in analytical chemistry at the ultra-trace level. A Master of Science degree in chemistry or related discipline is desirable and may be substituted for the required applied research experience.

(9542P/3411P)