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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00122768 |
Description Activated On: 7/27/2026 12:42:56 PM |
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 determination of environmentally significant analytes using specialized equipment and techniques and employing accepted methods (e.g., U.S. EPA, NIOSH, Standard Methods, AOAC, Hach, and DEP validated methods and procedures). Primary analytical duties: Chloride (Cl) and Conductivity (SPC) analyses Secondary analytical duties: Sulfate (SO4) and Total Organic/Inorganic Carbon (TOC/TIC) analyses |
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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. Sample Analysis a. Organize samples, as received, for efficient and timely processing and analysis. b. 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. c. Maintain necessary records in laboratory notebooks and/or computer systems to ensure proper chain of custody and to aid in data interpretation and evaluation. d. Properly prepare samples for analysis. e. Prepare all standards, reagents, spikes, and other quality control samples used in the analytical procedure. Maintain laboratory notebook of standards, reagents, spikes, and QCS. The chemical name, date prepared, expiration date, concentration, unique ID, final volume, and constituent volume should be recorded. f. Analyze samples to determine the presence of specific analytes in a variety of matrices. g. Perform data entry, verification, inquiry, and generates required reports on the Bureau of Laboratories LIMS and on other data management systems. h. Ensure analyses are completed within appropriate time frames. i. Ensure appropriate approved procedures are used throughout the analytical determination. j. Properly operate analytical instruments. k. Perform preventive maintenance of analytical instruments and must be competent in the various troubleshooting techniques involved to keep the instruments operational. l. Perform the necessary calibration procedures and/or reagent standardizations on a routine basis to certify that the instrument is functioning within the established limits. m. Use proper labware throughout the entire procedure. n. Review data produced during the analysis to determine if the result is valid and for performing appropriate corrective action if invalid. o. Maintain records of raw data and performs data reduction through calculations. p. Prepare scientifically accurate and thorough reports of work performed. Quality Assurance (QA)/Quality Control (QC): a. Read, understand and follow the most recent version of the bureau's QA manual policies. b. Read, understand and agree to perform the most recent version of the test method SOP. c. Participates in Laboratory Audit Compliance Sample Analysis and on-site/virtual evaluations to maintain good laboratory practice, and to meet certification requirements by EPA and TNI. d. Uses appropriate certified standards and retains certificates of analysis. e. Maintains quality control records (e.g., detection limits, percent recovery, known control samples) to ensure the legal defensibility of analytical results and provides copies of raw and/or final data when requested. f. Participates in the implementation of the quality assurance policies. g. Evaluates quality control records to identify trends and/or other quality problems, and initiates corrective action as required. h. Performs required quality assurance studies (e.g., MDL’s, DOC’s, interference checks, etc.) to ensure conformance with required practices. i. Performs 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. j. Maintains a log of preventive maintenance, malfunctions, repairs and traceability for instrumentation used. Implementation: Under the direction of the Section Chief, Chemist III, or Chemist II, implements changes to improve existing methods and documents the changes. Assists the Section Chief, Chemist III, or Chemist II in adapting established methods for use in the Bureau of Laboratories. This may involve various aspects of implementing or testing a method. This includes all work involving quality control schemes, minimum detection limit determinations, method validation studies, compensating for possible interferences, determining confidence limits, determining precision, etc. a. Reviews scientific literature, vendor publications, and published methods for ways to improve the sensitivity, productivity and accuracy of existing methods. b. Suggests mechanisms to implement method improvements. c. Under the direction of the Section Chief, Chemist III, or Chemist II, implements new methodologies to meet the needs of laboratory clients. d. Creates or updates the written method in the Bureau of Laboratories document control system for the improved or implemented method. e. Performs an initial demonstration of capability study. f. Determines the methods MDL. g. Performs a method comparability study using real sample matrices to determine if a method bias exists. Training: As directed by the Section Chief, Chemist III, or Chemist II, provides instruction and training for other analysts and interns of the correct methodologies to ensure laboratory continuity during the absence of the analyst. a. Instructs individuals with correct operation of equipment, sample preparation, analytical techniques, quality control procedures, required record keeping, data interpretation and result reporting. b. Cross trains with other analysts in the section to become proficient in and can act as an alternate analyst for most analytical work done in the section. Also, cross trains, as directed, in analytical work performed in other sections in the Bureau of Laboratories. c. Researches availability of training programs. Completes training request forms, and provides information for making registration, travel, and lodging arrangements. Legal consultation a. Serve as a resource to attorneys who are exploring potential litigation because of sample test results. b. Testify as a witness in court cases. c. Make necessary preparations for required court appearances. Safety a. Read and adhere to DEP Safety Policy available on IntraDEP under the heading for Human Resources/DEP Safety. b. Performs safety checks on safety showers and eyewashes, when requested. c. Labels and stores hazardous chemicals within the work area. d. Transfers solvent wastes and residual hazardous sample material to the section satellite accumulation area and properly labels containers with identification of contents. e. Wears appropriate PPE when working in the laboratory. Supplemental Duties: Performs duties, as assigned, to support the work of the section, provide for flexibility in meeting the sections analytical work and acts as a technical resource to the Section, Bureau, and Department. a. Acts as an alternate analyst for work performed by other sections to improve the laboratory’s ability to flexibly handle changing analytical demands and emergency situations effectively. b. Communicates with technical service representative within his/her area of technical expertise for any information on “troubleshooting” or replacement of parts, as required. c. Prepares orders for supplies, chemicals, and equipment, as required, and reviews inventory of them as needed to maintain sufficient quantities. d. Uses Department of Environmental Protection communication networks (e-mail, voice mail, Skype, etc.) to communicate with Department personnel. e. Works overtime and/or flexible schedules, as needed, during emergency situations. f. As directed by the Section Chief, serve as a primary contact with Bureau of Laboratories’ customers regarding issues associated with specific projects. g. Recommend process improvements to the Section Chief, Chemist III, or Chemist II. h. Receive samples from the field. (Duties are currently performed by the Trace Metals & Sample Receiving Staff but may be required in specific circumstances) (i). Unpacks, sorts, and assigns lab numbers to samples received from field personnel. (ii). Ensures lab numbers, collector numbers and legal seal numbers match both lab analysis sheets and sample containers. (iii). Notes and records on the sample submission sheet and in the laboratory computer system any unusual circumstances regarding a sample. (iv). Contacts sample collector to resolve sample identification irregularities. i. Promotes the Department's mission. j. 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 position description in no way states or 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 instructions and to perform 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 chemist works with minimum supervision and results are reviewed periodically throughout the performance rating period. Each chemist is assigned routine work in his or her area of expertise and responsibility. Special projects are assigned, which require discussion with the Section Chief, Chemist III, or a Chemist II; otherwise, each chemist works independently, and their work is occasionally reviewed. Work may be assigned on an as needed basis in other areas of the section or Bureau in unusual situations. |
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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. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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