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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50289596 |
Description Activated On: 6/15/2026 1:23:55 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. This is an entry-level, seasonal position in the field of environmental chemistry that supports the Air and Gravimetric Analysis Section. Work involves preparing samples for analysis, conducting analyses on water and wastewater. Work also involves data entry and assisting with other activities in the Air and Gravimetric Analysis Section.d requirements. |
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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. Primary Duties: • Analysis of Total Suspended Solids for Mine Drainage, NPDES, TSSLV by USGS-I-3765-85. • Analysis of Dissolved solids by method USGS-I-1750-85 • Analysis of Osmotic Pressure in water by in house method PADEP 391-2000-008. • 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: • Volatile Solids by USGS-I-3767-85. • Analysis of Total solids by SM2540C. • Analysis of Total Solids by Method USGS-I-3750-85 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. Daily balance verification check on each day the balance is in use for analysis. Maintain analytical instruments and exhibit competence in troubleshooting techniques to keep e instruments operational. Ensure analyses are completed within appropriate time frames including data entry, verification, and generation of required reports on the Bureau of Laboratories LIMS and data management systems. Ensure data is created through appropriate approved procedures and is determined valid or corrective actions initiated if invalid as well as including any applicable comment coding to data. Maintain records of raw data and performs data reduction through calculations. 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. Quality Assurance (QA) /Quality Control (QC): Perform all laboratory functions while following the latest version of DEP and BOL Safety Policies and SOPs. Participate in Laboratory Audit Compliance Sample Analysis and on-site evaluations to maintain good laboratory practice, and to meet certification requirements by EPA and PA 252 Accreditation.. Use appropriate certified standards. Maintain quality control records (e.g., detection limits, percent recovery, known control samples MDL’s, IDC’s) to ensure the legal defensibility of analytical results and provide copies of raw and/or final data to the Quality Assurance Officer. Under the direction of the Section Chief 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 IDC study and routine MDL’s. c. Participating in the development and implementation of the quality assurance policies. d. Evaluating quality control records to identify trends and/or quality trends and other quality problems and initiate corrective action as required. Safety: Read and adhere to Commonwealth, DEP, and BOL safety policicies. 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 Recommend process improvements to the Section Chief 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. 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. Additional: 1. Promotes and exemplifies the Department’s Mission, Vision, and Values in all aspects of work performance and professional conduct. 2. Advances DEP’s strategic priorities through collaboration, commitment to data-driven decision-making, delivery of high-quality customer service, and active participation in modernization and continuous improvement initiatives. 3. Inputs, maintains, and updates data in prescribed formats to meet data quality standards established through guidance, training, policy, and procedure across all DEP electronic data systems. Responsibilities include ensuring the accuracy, completeness, consistency, and integrity of all entries, as well as utilizing available system tools and validation processes to minimize duplicate records and data quality issues. 4. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, guidance, and training requirements related to assigned duties and DEP electronic data systems. 5. In conjunction with the supervisor, participates in knowledge management and knowledge transfer efforts by identifying key aspects of assigned duties and proactively sharing knowledge with other employees to support continuity of operations and organizational effectiveness. 6. Develops, maintains, and annually updates a comprehensive desk manual documenting essential duties, standard operating procedures, workflows, system processes, key contacts, reference materials, and other critical operational information necessary to support continuity of operations and effective knowledge transfer. Employees are responsible for ensuring desk manuals remain accurate, current, and accessible in accordance with Department requirements. 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, 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. |
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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. N/A 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. N/A 5. N/A 6. N/A |
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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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