ANNUAL SALARY: $65,855.52 - $98,971.20
LA Sanitation & Environment’s Environmental Monitoring Division
WORK LOCATIONS:
Hyperion Treatment Plant, 12000 Vista del Mar, Playa del Rey, CA 90293
Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant, 6100 Woodley Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91406
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Graduation from a recognized four-year college or university with a major in Chemistry or Biochemistry, including coursework or experience utilizing at least two of the following instruments.
- Flow Injection Analyzer
- Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer or Mercury Analyzer
- Multi Element Oil Analyzer
- Gas Chromatograph
- High Performance Liquid Chromatograph or Ion Chromatograph
- Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer
- Mass Spectrometer
- X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer
- UV/VIS/Fluorescent Spectrophotometer
HOW TO APPLY:
Complete the City of Los Angeles Application at https://per.lacity.org/doc.cfm?get=CityApp
Email the completed application to: san_jobapplications@lacity.org
Subject line should say: “EA Chemist ATTN: Angela”
All applications must be received by Friday, February 3, 2023 at 4:00pm
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
A Chemist performs difficult organic, inorganic, and physical chemical analyses and research studies in connection with water quality, wastewater, storm water, solid resources, and industrial wastes. The Chemist I will operate the instrumentation used for chemical analysis, e.g., Gas Chromatograph with different kinds of detectors such as electron capture detector (ECD), Mass Spectrometer (MS), segmented flow analyzers, TOC instrumentation and other laboratory instruments. The Chemist I will perform chemical tests, which include testing for pesticides, PCBs, herbicides, volatile organic compounds (VOC), lipids, BOD, COD, TOC, nutrient analysis, and other environmental chemistry analyses.
Major duties are to perform sample preparation and analysis of water, wastewater, biosolids, tissue, sediment, industrial waste, and other environmental samples. Duties of this Chemist I may involve substantial use of organic solvents; set up of continuous liquid extraction, prepare organic and inorganic standards and reagents, and work standing in front of a ventilation hood for a substantial amount of work hours during a normal workday. The Chemist I may collect samples in the field. The Chemist I must be able to troubleshoot the problems of instruments and methodologies; maintain the instruments, and be familiar with the quality control requirements in chemical analysis. The Chemist I will support special studies with scientific expertise, and help the lab maintain compliance with standardized testing methods. The Chemist I will also help with data collection and data troubleshooting.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
The Division is interested in candidates who possess the following skills, knowledge, and abilities including, but not limited to the following:
- Must be able and willing to work with organic and inorganic chemicals and solvents.
- Must have knowledge of the principles of instrumental chemistry and laboratory procedures.
- Ability to prepare laboratory standards, reference materials, and reagents.
- Must have good knowledge of standard QA/QC and safety issues related to chemical analysis.
- Must have strong organizational skills to follow monitoring schedules and keep track of programs and projects.
- Must have good oral and written communication skills.
- Must be proficient in computer skills including work experience with WORD, EXCEL, LIMS and Access programs in preparing graphics, tables, and reports.