Job Description
Job Description
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
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES: 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.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Positions at the journey level do not supervise other professional employees, but may coordinate the work of technical personnel (Water Quality Technician).
MAJOR, IMPORTANT, AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES
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.
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.
Maintains detailed and accurate instrumental and analytical records; prepares updated control charts for regularly scheduled water and wastewater analyses.
Batches, prepares, analyzes, and reports results of environmental samples using the current laboratory information management system.
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.
Troubleshoots and diagnoses rudimentary problems with laboratory instruments and equipment and takes corrective action; performs routine maintenance on laboratory instruments and equipment.
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.
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.
Maintain assigned working areas in a clean and organized manner.
Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
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.
Minimum Qualifications : 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.
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications.
Desirable Qualifications: The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring:
Additional Information
Selection Procedures: After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:
Exam Components : Supplemental Questionnaire Exam weighted at 100% testing the following KSAs: knowledge of procedures in chemical evaluation of water and wastewater, knowledge of inorganic and organic chemistry, ability to read, learn, and stay updated on new procedures and protocols, and knowledge of instrumental analysis.
Additional Information:
** Eligible List/Score Report:**
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.
The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be of twelve (12) months, and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.
** Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:**
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. [Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/.] The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4. Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement. Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at https://sf.gov/departments/civil-service-commission.
Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@careers.sf.gov that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.