Mid-Level Chemist - Military Veterans

Provide professional technical support within allocated task resources and to contribute to an overall increase in efficiency of scientific support with increasing independent accomplishment.

Adhere to Quality Assurance Program Plans, Work or Test Plans, Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), Health & Safety Plans. Thoroughly, consistently, and completely document all laboratory activities in specified notebooks.

Maintain laboratory spaces according to the criteria specified by Safety, Health, and Environmental Management. Evaluate laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with standards or to make improvements as needed.

Confer with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests.

Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests.

Preparation, extraction, and analysis of target compounds from various environmental sample matrices and sampling equipment or media (i.e., air sampling canisters, XAD, thermal desorption tubes, SPE cartridges, derivatization cartridges, filters).

Preparation of sampling media (i.e., XAD, filters, canisters, thermal desorption tubes, etc.) prior to field deployment for sample collection. Completely and accurately document the preparation.

Analysis of sample preparations by LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, GC-MS, or other techniques. Conduct quality control tests and evaluate results against data quality indicator goals. Perform corrective actions as prescribed by QA and/or project management. Process, reduce, and report the analytical results according to project schedules and deadlines.

Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.

Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose and correct malfunctions.

Communicate processes, results, and challenges to project management in a timely manner.

Writing and reviewing technical papers or reports or prepare standard methods and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.

Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.

Recommend purchasing of laboratory supplies, such as chemicals, to maintain working inventory.

Bachelor's in Chemistry from an accredited college or university.

Chemistry Experience - 10 years working in a chemistry laboratory setting, and some experience directing technical staff.

Minimum 10 years' experience working with and maintaining advanced laboratory instrumentation such as LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, GC-MS, HPLC, IC, and FTIR. The successful candidate must have a strong working knowledge of these systems' analytical techniques, calibration methods, and instrument maintenance and troubleshooting.

Advanced understanding of EPA and SW-846 methods pertaining to the determination of volatile and semivolatile organic compounds, including those utilizing isotopic dilution quantification.

Experience with solid phase extraction (SPE) and sample clean-up techniques.

Experience with the extraction of semivolatile organic compounds from various sampling media (i.e., particulate filters, ion exchange resins, polyurethane foam, thermal desorption tubes, etc.) using both automated extraction systems and manual extraction techniques such as Soxhlet and separatory funnels.

Experience preparing instrumentation standard solutions by gravimetric and volumetric techniques.

Experience conducting quality control validation reviews of Level 4, or equivalent, laboratory data reports.

Experience generating and documenting laboratory data of Level 4 data report quality.

Working knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, hazards & danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Working knowledge of laboratory hygiene processes and protocols.

Experience developing both standard and nonstandard laboratory testing/analytical methods to accomplish project goals and objectives.

Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office products, as well as analytical or scientific software.

Essential Functions

Unusual or Special Physical Requirements of Position (specify and provide % of time required)

• Lifting: < 35 pounds 5%

• Climbing: N/A

• Crawling: N/A

• Special clothing/equipment (wearing): Appropriate laboratory PPE 100%, air-purifying respirator 2%

• Unusual physical requirements: N/A

• High noise level: N/A

Description of Work Environment (specify and provide % of time required)

• Inside? Outside? Combination? Where?: Inside specified chemical and industrial laboratory areas.

• Extreme (hot/cold) temperatures involved: N/A

• Hazardous conditions - What are they?: 60% - Standard laboratory hazards such as chemical hazards (i.e., fumes, burns, toxic, etc.).

• Travel/transportation requirements: N/A

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Equipment and Machines Involved in Work Tasks (specify and provide % of time required)

• Office equipment/machines electrically/battery operated - which?: 80 %

• Vehicles, forklifts, etc. operated which?: N/A

• Tools used in trade - which ones?: hand tools, including wrenches, screwdrivers, tubing cutter

• Other: GS-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, analytical balances, laboratory glassware, and reagent handling equipment

Criticality of Attendance (specify and provide % of time required)

• Overtime, regular days, off days: Regular days, 40 hours/week, infrequent OT

• Shift, 1st, 2nd, 3rd: 1 st shift

• Necessity for regular attendance: Onsite attendance required

• Urgency for punctuality: maintain regular schedule including core hours of 9 AM to 3 PM.

Other Essential Functions

• Must be able to receive Federal Facility Access approval as a contractor.
• Operation of Thermo Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) instrumentation.
• Operation of Agilent and/or Thermo Scientific Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS/MS and GC-MS) instrumentation.
• Proper handling of compressed gas cylinders, low-pressure liquid N 2 dewars, and high-pressure liquid N 2 dewars.
• Performs a variety of routine scientific activities requiring application of scientific principles relative to the research, design and development of lab and field projects.
• Performs applied scientific activities relative to the research, design and development of lab and field projects.
• Reviews and evaluates analysis data concerning the needs, requirements, and operation for (test) project design and support.
• Prepares technical reports, procedures, and proposals. Makes recommendations regarding changes and revision to task leader.
• Performs other technical activities as necessary.