Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING

Position Number:  00028097

Description Activated On:  3/27/2026 9:23:40 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 (i.e. EPA, Standard Methods, and DEP validated methods and procedures).

Primary Analytical Emphasis:
Volatile analysis of soil and COWS using GC/MS, HP5977, ISQ7610
Volatile analysis of non-potable water by EPA 624.1 using GC/MS, HP5977, ISQ7610

Secondary Analytical Emphasis:
Glyphosate by EPA 547, HPLC/PCR/FLD
Volatiles in Air by GC/MS HP5973, HP5975

Tertiary Analytical Emphasis:
Volatile analysis of potable water by EPA 524.3 using GC/MS, HP5977, ISQ7610

Work Unit:
Volatile Analysis Unit

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.

Understand and promote the four pillars of the DEP Vision - Operational Excellence, Climate Leadership, Cultural Competence and Environmental Justice.

Sample receiving:
1. Organizes and logs received samples, complying with all documentation and chain of custody requirements.
2. Notifies supervisor and collector of samples broken in transit, received with insufficient sample, received in an inappropriate container or any other conditions that would have a negative impact on the analytical results.
3. Maintains custodial control of special priority samples when assigned.
4. Maintains necessary records in laboratory notebooks and/or computer systems to ensure proper chain of custody.

Extract pollutants of interest from various matrices:
1. Uses a variety of solvents and techniques such as SPE, Encore, and waster dilution to extract analytes of interest from various matrices.
2. Responsible for ensuring that all required extraction batch QC samples are included with each sample batch.

Analyze samples utilizing chromatography:
1. Ensures that analyses are completed within the required time frames.
2. Properly operates analytical instruments and associated software.
3. Evaluates the raw instrument data to determine the analyte identifications and quantitates results.
4. Reviews the final data report for unusual data. Notifies supervisor of abnormal or elevated results. Reviews the final data report for accuracy prior to releasing the results to the client.

Method Development: Projects are assigned only after the analyst is fully trained in their primary and secondary analytical duties. Method development projects for this position will include but not be limited to the following:
1. Lead the transition of Helium dependent instruments to alternate carrier gasses as specified by the approved method for GC/MS instruments within the volatile analytical unit.
2. Perform required QA/QC testing on GC/MS instruments prior to putting GC/MS instruments into use.
3. Assist with the transition of additional helium dependent instruments to the use of hydrogen gas generators.
4. Develop methodology for additional matrices of intended use by regional DEP programs.

Activities in support of method development may include:
1. Review of scientific literature, vendor publications, and published methods for ways to improve the sensitivity, productivity, accuracy and/or environmental impact of existing methods.
2. Suggest mechanisms to implement method improvements. As appropriate, suggest new equipment purchase to implement method improvements.
3. As appropriate or practicable, prepare and analyze DOCs and/or MDLs.
4. Write or update the Standard Operating Procedure for the new or modified method.

Performs necessary maintenance and/or repair of analytical instrumentation:
1. Performs preventive maintenance of analytical instruments. Maintains a logbook of preventive maintenance, malfunctions, and repairs.
2. Reports instrument malfunctions to supervisor and attempts to correct malfunction and/or contacts contract vendor technical support for guidance.
3. As necessary, contacts contract vendors to arrange for on- or off-site repairs.
4. Maintains the Milli-Q organic-free water system.

Implementation methodologies. At the request of a supervisor, assist in the implementation, modification, adaptation or improvement of existing methodologies. This may include any or all of the following activities:
1. Modify instrument and/or extraction conditions to meet the desired specifications for identification, precision, accuracy, and/or sensitivity.
2. Ensure that all method-specified criteria are met.
3. Perform a method detection limit study, initial demonstration of capability, precision and accuracy study, method comparison study, holding time study, and/or analytical time study.
4. Generate control charts to establish in-house control limits.
5. Revise or create a Standard Operating Procedure.

Conducts internal audits:
1. As assigned by supervisor, conducts internal audits of co-workers’ data. Records findings and submits them to the Section Chief.
2. While conducting internal audits, reviews both the SOP and published method to determine compliance with the method requirements.

Lab safety:
1. Complies with all lab and workplace safety protocols at all times.
2. As directed, performs checks on safety showers and eyewash stations. Maintains records of these tests.
3. Reports any safety-related malfunctions or unsafe conditions to Section Chief and Safety Officer.
4. Properly labels all hazardous waste containers and arranges for their pickup at the correct intervals.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC):
1. 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.
2. Participates in on-site evaluations as required by EPA and TNI.
3. Uses Good Laboratory Practices at all times.
4. Uses certified analytical standards and reagents of known quality.
5. Performs and maintains records of all required QA studies (MDL, DOC, PT). Performs an annual review and update of SOPs.
6. Performs and maintains records of all required analytical and extraction batch QC (ICAL, CCAL, LFB, LFM, etc.).
7. Is familiar with the requirements of the reference methods and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and ensures that regulatory requirements are met.
8. Evaluates QC records to identify trends and/or quality problems, and initiates corrective action as required.
9. Reads, understands, and performs the most recent revisions of SOPs for all accredited methods.

Training:
1. At the direction of the Section Chief, provides instruction and training for other analysts.
2. Acts as a resource for all Organic Section personnel with regards to operation of equipment, sample preparation, analytical techniques, QC procedures, documentation and record keeping, interpretation of analytical results, and data reporting.
3. Cross trains with other analysts in the work unit so as to be able to act as an alternate analyst for most analytical work done in the Organic Section.
4. Researches availability of training programs and completes training request forms.
5. Completes all required E-LMS training in a timely fashion.

Supplemental duties:
Performs any other duties assigned to support work flow within the Organic Section and the BOL. Other duties may include but are not limited to:
1. Assists with washing glassware as necessary to keep the Organic Section running smoothly.
2. Coordinates with other analysts when using common equipment such as the GPC, ASE, N-EVAP, and S-EVAP units.
3. Recommends process improvements to supervisor, and implements them with approval from supervisor.
4. Legal consultation. As necessary, serve as a resource to attorneys who are exploring potential litigation as a result of sample testing; testify in court cases; and make necessary preparations for required court appearances.
5. Acts as an alternate analyst for work performed by other sections. Notifies supervisor when workload is light so other duties may be assigned.
6. Maintains inventory of supplies necessary to perform assigned analyses. Orders replacement supplies in a timely fashion.
7. Use DEP communication networks (email, voice mail, calendars, etc.) to communicate with DEP personnel.
8. Work overtime and/or flexible schedule, as needed, during emergency situations.
9. Prepare & ship organic-free water requests, including semi-quarterly shipments to maintain the emergency drinking water sampling kits in each region.
10. Promotes the Department's mission.

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. Employees may be required to work overtime and/or flexible schedules during emergency situations.

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.

Work is assigned by the supervisor. Works with minimum supervision and results are occasionally reviewed. Each chemist is assigned analytical work in their area of responsibility and expertise. Special projects are assigned which require discussion; otherwise, each chemist works independently.

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.   Real ID or Equivalent
 
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.
 
 1. Identify equipment problems and facilitate repairs.
 2. Lift and carry 40 pounds from floor level to benchtop height.
 3. Read and understand scientific reference materials.
 4. Follow necessary safety policies and procedures.
 5. Effectively communicate orally and in writing.
 6. Visually obtain information and data from laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
 7. Learn, understand, and apply principles and techniques of analytical chemistry in the preparation and analysis of environmental samples.
 8. Plan, organize, and perform a variety of chemical tests and analyses with accuracy, and sometimes simultaneously.
 9. Travel as needed.
 10.