Job Specification
CHEMIST 4
DEFINITION:
Under the direction of a manager in a State department, institution or agency,
or local jurisdiction, has responsibility for overseeing the staff, research, and
testing activities in a chemistry laboratory; supervises staff and work activities;
prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does
other related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only.
A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job
specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Plans and supervises the various work programs of a major chemistry laboratory.
Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility
for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or
disciplining of employees.
Supervises the identification and analysis of substances found in water, waste
water, food, pharmaceuticals, and other sources.
Selects and establishes standard procedures for the performance of chemical,
physical-chemical, biochemical, and toxicological tests and analyses of hygiene
samples, milk, food, drugs, water, sewage, industrial waste, and other materials.
Supervises the performance of qualitative and quantitative organic constituent
analysis using approved methods of ion and gas chromatography (GC) and gas
chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
Investigates and recommends the purchase of new and replacement equipment
and instrumentation; prepares technical specifications for equipment to be
purchased by the laboratory.
Supervises the safety, order, and cleanliness of laboratory areas, and the
installation and implementation of new equipment.
Supervises the preparation of standard chemical reagents used and other reagents
of a special nature as may be required.
Evaluates data collected from analytical instruments and wet chemical analysis.
Prepares scientific papers for publication, participates in scientific meetings and
conferences, and serves on scientific committees.
Develops standardized procedures and new testing methods as a result of modern
developments, including the field of air pollution control.
Implements protocols for new instruments and testing procedures using established
references.
Keeps abreast of current literature in the broad field of chemistry and in a specific
chemistry discipline.
Supervises the performance of complex analytical procedures in specific limited
areas, requiring the use of sophisticated instrumentation including gas-liquid
chromatographs, high-pressure liquid chromatographs, plasma emission
spectrometers, and atomic absorption spectrophotometers.
Supervises the analysis of urine specimens for drugs of abuse using EMIT
procedures; supervises the analysis of blood specimens for lead content,
hematocrit, and erythrocyte protoporphyrin.
Supervises the collection of water samples.
Supervises the performance of bacteriological (microbiological) analyses for
coliform, fecal streptococcus, staphylococcus, and pseudomonas.
Troubleshoots, diagnoses problems, or make minor adjustments to laboratory
instruments and equipment.
Supervises the preparation of exhibits to be used in court proceedings, and acts
as a witness in court.
Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of reports and correspondence.
Supervises the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files.
Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in any
natural science or physical science, including or supplemented by twenty-four (24)
credit hours in chemistry and/or biochemistry which shall have included a minimum
of six (6) credit hours in analytical chemistry.
NOTE: Some examples of analytical chemistry courses are Mass Spectroscopy,
Instrumental Analysis, Gas/Liquid Chromatography, Introduction to Chemical
Research Technique, Spectroscopic Methods, Research credits earned using
chemistry equipment (GC, HPLC, ICP etc.).
EXPERIENCE:
Four (4) years of chemical analysis work in a public health or chemistry laboratory,
one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.
NOTE: Applicants who do not possess a Bachelor's degree, but who do possess
the specialized credits outlined above may substitute experience for the remaining
education (years necessary to complete the degree) on a year-for-year basis.
NOTE: A Master's degree in chemistry may be substituted for one (1) year of
non-supervisory experience.
NOTE: A Doctorate degree in chemistry may be substituted for two (2) years of
non-supervisory experience.
NOTE: In local government, appointees to water analysis positions may be required
to have successfully completed a formal course in the operation of atomic absorption
and gas chromatography laboratory equipment, or in lieu of the course, six (6) months
of experience in the operation of such equipment. The responsibility for ensuring
completion of the course or experience in the use of specialized laboratory equipment
rests with the Appointing Authority.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if
the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the
essential duties of the position.
NOTE: Appointees may be required to perform physical activities such as lifting,
carrying, and standing for an extended period of time.
NOTE: Appointees may be required to get vaccinations or submit vaccination records.
NOTE: Appointees may be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of chemical laboratory procedures, techniques, equipment, media,
reagents, and supplies.
Knowledge of the procedures and techniques used when performing and interpreting
chemical, physical and biochemical tests, examinations and analyses on milk, food,
drugs, water, sewage, trade wastes, air samples, and various industrial and institutional
materials, equipment, supplies, and other materials in the laboratory and field.
Knowledge of the standards and procedures used when conducting chemical tests
and analyses.
Knowledge of the precautions to be taken when recording and interpreting chemical
and related tests and analyses.
Knowledge of the methods used to make chemical determinations by Infer Red
Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography, Ultraviolet Visible Spectrometry, Polarography,
and Fluorometry.
Knowledge of quality control and quality assurance procedures used to assess the
validity, accuracy, and precision of chemical tests and analyses.
Ability to ensure that standards and established procedures are followed when staff
performs specific tests, examinations, and analyses of raw materials and finished
products, including paints, varnishes, thinners, driers, fuel oils, gasoline, coal, plastic
items, carbon papers, chamois, sponges, and other supplies and equipment.
Ability to learn and train on how to handle potential exposure to hazardous chemicals
and infectious material and how to work in such area.
Ability to handle various laboratory scenarios such as exposed instruments, equipment
noise; as well as potential exposure to hazardous chemicals and infectious material.
Ability to plan and lay out work for a large chemical laboratory, develop effective work
procedures, and check the results of tests, examinations, and analyses made by staff
members.
Ability to ensure that proper procedures are followed when staff performs specific
tests and examinations.
Ability to ensure that laboratory equipment and reagents are used in such a way
as to avoid unnecessary breakage and waste and to obtain accurate, reliable results.
Ability to coordinate the work of the laboratory with the needs of other units within
the department.
Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within
the unit.
Ability to supervise the preparation of exhibits for use in court proceedings, and act
as a witness in court.
Ability to supervise the preparation of standard and special reagents.
Ability to keep abreast of new discoveries and current literature in the field of
chemistry and to develop new and/or revised laboratory and investigational
procedures.
Ability to write scientific articles and to take part in meetings and conferences.
Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording
and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, understand and communicate in English sufficiently to
perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also
be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the
essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the
accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue
hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code: | | Job
Spec
Code | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 01555 | | C | C | NL | 28 | 31 | S28 | - |
This job specification is for state and local government use.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.
3/27/2021 |
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