|
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
|
|
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
|
|
Position Number: 00014408 |
Description Activated On: 8/18/2025 9:01:35 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. Analytical Application: Analyze environmental samples for the presence of environmentally significant analytes using specialized equipment and techniques and employing accepted methods (e.g., U.S. EPA, NIOSH, Standard Methods, AOAC, and DEP validated methods and procedures) within the Air Chemistry & Gravimetric Section. |
|
Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Primary Duties: • Analysis of Total Suspended Solids for Mine Drainage, NPDES, TSSLV and Volatile Solids by methods USGS-I-3765/3767-85. • Analysis of Dissolved solids by method USGS-I-1750. • Analysis of Total Solids by Method USGS-I-3750. • Performing initial and final weights as well as sample and equipment preparation, including, but not limited to washing glassware, preparing standards and pouring samples. Secondary Duties: • Analysis of Osmotic Pressure in water by in house method PADEP 391-2000-008. • Analysis of PM10 filters for net particulate weight. • Analysis of Total solids by SM2540C. Organize samples, as received, for efficient and timely processing and analysis. Notify supervisor and collector of samples broken in transit, lost during preparation, received with insufficient sample, received in an inappropriate container or any other conditions or processes that would have a negative impact on the analytical results. Maintain necessary records in laboratory notebooks and/or computer systems to ensure proper chain of custody and to aid in data interpretation and evaluation. Prepare samples for analysis using the appropriate method. Prepare all standards, reagents, spikes, and other quality control samples used in the analytical procedure. Analyze samples to determine the presence of specific analytes in a variety of matrices. Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) when using analytical instruments. Read, understand, and perform the most recent version of the SOPs for the test methods for which the employee is responsible. Perform the necessary calibration procedures and/or reagent standardizations on a routine basis to certify that the instrument is functioning within the established limits. This includes the balance verification check on each day the balance is in use for analysis. Maintain analytical instruments. Must be competent in the various troubleshooting techniques involved to keep the instruments operational. Uses proper labware throughout the entire procedure. Perform data entry, verification, inquiry, and generates required reports on the Bureau of Laboratories LIMS and on other data management systems. Ensure analyses are completed within appropriate time frames. Ensure appropriate approved procedures are used throughout the analytical determination. Review all data produced during the course of the analysis to determine if the result is valid and for performing appropriate corrective action if invalid. Maintain records of raw data and performs data reduction through calculations. Prepare thorough, scientifically accurate reports of work performed including appropriate comment coding. Receive samples for analysis in the Air Chemistry section including: a. Unpack, sort, and assign lab numbers to the samples. b. Ensure that lab numbers, collector numbers and legal seal numbers correspond to sample submission sheets and sample containers. c. Note any problems with the sample on the sample submission sheet and record in the LIMS as required. d. Contact the sample collector to resolve sample identification irregularities. Perform all laboratory functions while following DEP and BOL Safety Policies. Quality Assurance (QA) /Quality Control (QC): Read, understand, and use the latest version of the laboratory’s in-house quality documentation. Read, understand, and perform the most recent version of the BOL test method SOP. Participate in Laboratory Audit Compliance Sample Analysis and on-site evaluations to maintain good laboratory practice, and to meet certification requirements by EPA and NJLAP. Use appropriate certified standards. Maintain quality control records (e.g., detection limits, percent recovery, known control samples) to ensure the legal defensibility of analytical results and provide copies of raw and/or final data to the Quality Assurance Officer. Perform required periodic quality assurance studies (e.g., MDL’s, IDC’s, interference checks, etc.) to ensure conformance with required practices. Perform data entry, data reduction and maintains records on the efficiency and quality assurance of each instrument. These records allow measurements on that instrument to be traceable to a known standard. Maintain a log of preventive maintenance, malfunctions and repairs for instrumentation used. Review scientific literature, vendor publications and published methods for ways to improve the sensitivity, productivity, and accuracy of existing methods. Suggest mechanisms to implement method improvements. Under the direction of the supervisor or Chemist II, implements changes to improve existing methods and documents the changes by: a. Updating, or creating, the written SOP for the improved or implemented method. b. Performing an initial demonstration of capability study. c. Determining the method MDL. d. Performing a method comparability study using real sample matrices to determine if a method bias exist. e. Participating in the development and implementation of the quality assurance policies. f. Evaluating quality control records to identify trends and/or quality trends and other quality problems and initiate corrective action as required. Training: As directed by a Section Chief or Chemist II, provide instruction and training for analysts and interns including operation of equipment, sample preparation, analytical techniques, quality control procedures, required record keeping and interpretation and reporting of results. Cross train with other analysts in the work unit to become proficient in, and be able to act as an alternate analyst for most analytical work done by the work unit. Also, cross train, as directed, in analytical work performed in other work units in the BOL. Research availability of training programs. Completes training request forms, and provides information for making registration, travel, and lodging arrangements. Supplemental Duties: Perform duties, as assigned, to support the work of the section, provide for flexibility in meeting the section’s analytical work and act as a technical resource to the Section, Bureau, and Department. Label hazardous waste containers with identification of contents, start date, end date, and initials and contact stock clerk to remove waste container to hazardous waste storage area. Act as an alternate analyst for work performed by other sections to improve the laboratory’s flexibility to handle changing demands and emergency situations effectively. Communicate with technical service representative within his/her area of technical expertise for any information of troubleshooting or replacement of parts, as required. Prepare orders for supplies, chemicals, and equipment as required and review inventory of them to maintain sufficient quantities. As directed by the supervisor, serve as a contact with Bureau of Laboratories' clients and user programs regarding issues associated with specific projects. Recommend process improvements to the Section Chief or Chemist II. Use DEP communication networks (email, voicemail, etc.) to communicate with department personnel. Legal consultation: a. Serve as a resource to attorneys who are exploring potential litigation as a result of sample test results. b. Testify as a witness in court cases. c. Make necessary preparations for required court appearances. Works overtime and/or flexible schedules, as needed, during emergency situations. Safety: Read and adhere to DEP safety policy available on IntraDEP under the heading for safety. • Promotes Department's Mission Inputs appropriate data in a prescribed format to meet data quality standards set forth by guidance, training, and policy across all of DEP’s electronic data systems; to include ensuring accuracy and completeness of entries, and where available, the use of system specific tools to ensure duplicative entries and data quality issues are minimized. This job description in no way states nor implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instruction and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. The Section Chief, on a quarterly and yearly basis, makes generalized assignments that have been derived from Bureau Program Plan. More specific assignments are made on a verbal basis, as necessary. The Section Chief reviews work at frequent intervals with performance reviews and a final performance evaluation yearly. Work assignments are usually made on a daily basis as mandated by that day’s workload. Random reviews are conducted with frequent performance reviews and a final performance evaluation yearly. |
||||||||||||||||||||
Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. N/A 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
||||||||||||||||||||
Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
|